Chen Ping’an first sought out Yan Ming, and the two strolled together, with Mi Yu following at a distance.

One sought to examine the Yan family’s account books, the other to inquire in detail about the trading rules between Sword Qi Great Wall and the Inverted Mountain’s intercontinental ferries.

The real issue was the Yan family’s wealth. If they fronted Immortal Money, how long could they sustain losses in the trades, and how would Sword Qi Great Wall compensate the Yan family’s losses?

A “Pouch Emporium” and a great tycoon, they chatted for the better part of an hour, each calculating their own interests.

On the way there, Chen Ping’an had spoken frankly with Mi Yu. Mi Yu felt that Nalan Shaowei might be difficult to persuade, but Yan Ming should be no problem. Firstly, Chen Ping’an was already the Hidden Officer, appointed in a time of crisis with immense authority. Secondly, Chen Ping’an had an excellent relationship with Yan Ming, the eldest son of the Yan family. Publicly and privately, Yan Ming should do everything to help Chen Ping’an. Thirdly, and most importantly, Chen Ping’an’s words carried weight with the Eldest Sword Immortal.

Chen Ping’an bid farewell to Yan Ming and went to find Nalan Shaowei. In foreign trade, the Yan and Nalan families were the two golden brands of Sword Qi Great Wall. The Dong, Chen, and Qi families, who controlled the clothing workshops, sword forges, and pill refineries, did not possess enough wealth themselves. Therefore, Yan Ming and Nalan Shaowei were the true gods of wealth.

Mi Yu asked, “Did it go smoothly?”

Chen Ping’an mocked himself, “The general direction is fine, but the details are full of snags. I originally thought that dealing with these two seniors would be easier at first, but it seems it will be difficult on top of difficult.”

Mi Yu teased, “Weren’t the Hidden Officer’s repeated ‘Uncle Yan’ a waste of effort?”

Then, this Jade Purity Realm Sword Immortal, who enjoyed holding wine and watching the moon, and drunkenly resting in the evening glow, became somewhat annoyed, “Is this Yan Ming too ungrateful? Not giving the Hidden Officer’s lineage any face? Doesn’t he understand the principle of mutual benefit? I understand it, so why is Yan Ming being so long-winded? Is it because he lost his arms early on and doesn’t want to ascend the city walls to slay demons, and is now afraid that the Hidden Officer will seize his financial power?”

Mi Yu had no fear of Yan Ming, who had fallen to the Nascent Soul realm.

Having abundant Immortal Money that couldn’t be used on his natal flying sword was a pathetic situation. Such a pitiable wretch was even more worthless than those sword cultivators who toiled to slay demons and painstakingly nurtured their swords.

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “It’s not that simple. Yan Ming is a meticulous calculator. Since the general direction has been agreed upon, haggling over the details isn’t a bad thing. I’ll just have to visit him a few more times. Besides, Yan Ming’s actions, showing that he doesn’t think the Hidden Officer is worth more than Immortal Money, are truly responsible to Sword Qi Great Wall.”

Mi Yu softly asked, “Hidden Officer, do you really have no resentment?”

Chen Ping’an said, “I’d rather enjoy some comfortable things. Like Senior Sword Immortal Mi, if one is too comfortable, it’s hard to advance bravely in realm. Difficult things, once endured, are beneficial in every little way.”

Mi Yu was speechless.

There was resentment after all. It’s just that he couldn’t do anything about Yan Ming, so he pitied himself instead.

However, Mi Yu could tolerate these open words. What he couldn’t bear was the smiling faces and polite greetings of certain sword immortals that were merely greetings, like Li Tuimi. Or those who didn’t even bother to look at him, Mi Yu, like the Great Sword Immortal Yue Qing, who had a close relationship with his elder brother Mi Hu. He never spoke harsh words to Mi Yu, because he didn’t speak at all. Those blunt knives seemingly wrapped in silk were the most damaging to one’s sword heart.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “We’re just airing our grievances in private. Don’t take it to heart, Sword Immortal Mi.”

When they arrived at Nalan Shaowei’s place, the old Sword Immortal only said one sentence to Chen Ping’an: “I never manage financial matters. Talk to Nalan Caihuan.”

So Chen Ping’an went to find Nalan Caihuan, a Nascent Soul Realm female sword cultivator. Her realm wasn’t high, but she was good at managing the household and making money.

This time, Mi Yu was truly enraged, “Is this old Nalan putting on airs?!”

Chen Ping’an remained silent.

And Mi Yu only dared to grumble about it afterward.

When he saw Nalan Shaowei earlier, he didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.

The two found Nalan Caihuan, a beautifully adorned and graceful woman, with a white jade hairpin in her hair, delicately carved at the end into a lifelike dragonfly. With her dark eyebrows, thin silk dress stitched with gold, and red brocade shoes, she was a widely recognized beauty of Sword Qi Great Wall.

She looked like a pampered noblewoman, but on the city walls, her sword strikes were fierce and ruthless, like Qi Shou.

Mi Yu’s thoughts were complicated, and he deliberately wore a cold expression.

Nalan Caihuan was of the same generation as Mi Yu. Despite Mi Yu being seen as a showy Upper Five Realm by sword immortals, many women liked Mi Yu. And those who couldn’t obtain him would scold Mi Yu more fiercely than men. Nalan Caihuan was one of them. Before Mi Yu became a Jade Purity Realm Sword Immortal, his life was unbelievably smooth, which led to Mi Yu’s catchphrase, “Since ancient times, deep affection cannot be retained.” In fact, it wasn’t that Mi Yu couldn’t retain anyone, but that a succession of deeply affectionate women, from Sword Qi Great Wall and the Rest of the World, couldn’t retain him, Mi Yu.

Mi Yu sized her up.

What Chen Ping’an saw was Nalan Caihuan and the gold and silver mountains of her family.

Chen Ping’an’s opening line almost made Mi Yu unable to keep a straight face.

“Madam Nalan, your family head has already agreed with me. Senior Sword Immortal is wise and just, willing to sacrifice family interests to help Sword Qi Great Wall overcome its difficulties. But Senior Sword Immortal also reminded me that the Nalan family is managed by you, so it’s best if I inform you as well.”

After that, Nalan Caihuan composed herself and began discussing the follow-up and hammering out the details with the Hidden Officer, who had received the “Ancestor’s Edict.”

The two returned to the galloping path near the Hidden Officer’s lineage.

Mi Yu laughed and cried, softly asking, “Once Nalan Caihuan and Nalan Shaowei talk, won’t the Hidden Officer be exposed?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Demand a high price, negotiate on the spot, each according to their abilities. Nalan Shaowei doesn’t like to listen to me, then let Nalan Caihuan speak.”

Finally, Chen Ping’an joked, “If Madam Nalan comes to question me, I estimate that Sword Immortal Mi alone will be enough to stop her. But if Nalan Shaowei personally draws his sword to chop me, Senior Brother Mi must protect me.”

Mi Yu bitterly smiled, “Isn’t there Lu Zhi as well? It’s not my turn to wrestle with the old man Nalan.”

Nalan Shaowei and Lu Zhi were both among the top ten sword immortals of Sword Qi Great Wall. Usually, when Mi Yu saw them, even if he didn’t have to detour, deep down he would still feel ashamed and filled with awe for them.
Most of Mi Yu’s close friends were Fifth Realm sword cultivators, often of the flamboyant type, with very few Upper Fifth Realm Sword Immortals.

Accompanying Chen Ping An along the way, only one Jade Pure Realm Sword Immortal greeted Mi Yu. His name was Lie Ji, and he was a kindred spirit to Mi Yu in cultivation, the kind who started strong but fizzled out later. In the vast world, it was perhaps a unique and immense regret for a Sword Immortal, but in the Sword Qi Great Wall, it was an open joke.

It was said that Lie Ji was impatient and talkative, once having the nickname “Magpie.” However, the young people of the Sword Qi Great Wall couldn’t imagine how Sword Immortal Lie Ji could have such an absurd nickname.

Lie Ji often sought out Mi Yu for drinks to relieve his boredom.

Now, upon seeing Chen Ping An, Lie Ji even greeted him with a smile, calling him Lord Hidden Official.

Chen Ping An, who had been walking with his hands in his sleeves, smiled and nodded, extending his hand from his sleeve and returning the greeting with clasped fists.

After walking away, Chen Ping An jested, “Sword Immortal Mi has many friends. I’m benefiting from it.”

Mi Yu glanced at the southern wall, and like Pang Yuanji, he actually wanted to draw his sword and kill demons even more.

In the following days, Chen Ping An, in addition to overseeing the Hidden Official lineage, would often call upon Mi Yu to discuss matters with people.

They were all important figures.

For example, the Confucian and Buddhist Saints located at both ends of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Chen Ping An wanted to understand the intricacies of the “Heavenly Timing Struggle.”

During this time, Mi Yu noticed that Ning Yao had donned the magic robe, the Gilt Nectar, a treasure of Immortal Soldier grade, and had also newly crafted a sword box containing two longswords. One of them was the “Sword Immortal” that Chen Ping An used to kill Li Zhen, a truly apt name. No wonder the young Hidden Official occasionally chatted with Gu Jianlong and Wang Xinshui at his desk, saying that he had an exceptional talent for naming things. If naming things was the only path to cultivation, he would already be an Immortal realm cultivator by now.

Pang Yuanji mentioned that the Hidden Official lineage had collected millennia of files and secret records, categorized long ago in the Summer Retreat and Winter Solstice Palaces, in vast quantities. It was impossible to move them all to the Promenade. Searching and reviewing them there was extremely convenient, especially the Summer Retreat Palace, which was of utmost importance. Instead of preparing at the last minute and having people run back and forth to retrieve the necessary files, it would be better for everyone to relocate to the Summer Retreat Palace. Since the Hidden Official lineage’s messenger flying swords were extremely fast, the two paintings could be moved to one of the residences there. Otherwise, with all the Hidden Official lineage sword cultivators gathered at the Promenade, they would surely be targeted by the Great Demons. Their presence on the city wall inherently meant weakening the killing power of Great Sword Immortal Lu Zhi.

Almost all the Hidden Official lineage sword cultivators agreed, supporting Pang Yuanji’s suggestion.

Only Chen Ping An did not agree, saying that there was no rush and that he had his own plans for when to move to the Summer Retreat Palace.

Pang Yuanji did not continue to argue about this matter. Instead, Dong Bude and Deng Liang both disagreed with the Hidden Official’s decision and expressed their concerns directly.

Dong Bude’s focus was that the Hidden Official lineage was too important and could be wiped out in one fell swoop if they remained on the Promenade.

Deng Liang was even more regretful about Great Sword Immortal Lu Zhi’s continued station, which completely contradicted one of the Hidden Official lineage’s tenets of being meticulous and fighting for every inch.

Guo Zhujiu, unusually, remained silent, lowering her head and glaring at the books and desk as if trying to bore holes in them, deeply worried.

The little girl’s silence was, in itself, an attitude.

This was still an unprecedented act for Guo Zhujiu, for whom the master was paramount.

But Chen Ping An still did not agree, offering more reasons, but unable to truly convince everyone. Therefore, the overall atmosphere among the Hidden Official lineage sword cultivators had been somewhat heavy these past few days.

After this, Great Sword Immortal Yue Qing took some time to come here, pausing for a moment at the edge of the sword qi restriction drawn by Mi Yu, before continuing forward.

Chen Ping An immediately stood up and proactively greeted Yue Qing.

The two did not approach the other sword cultivators of the Hidden Official lineage.

Yue Qing smiled and said, “Chen Ping An, don’t worry about my face. I came this time not only to apologize to the closed-door disciple of the Literary Saint lineage, but also to thank Chen Ping An, who is not some Lord Hidden Official.”

Chen Ping An nodded and said, “I won’t stand on ceremony, I accept it all.”

Yue Qing said, “I didn’t hide anything when I spoke ill of you, of the Literary Saint lineage. Now, when I apologize and thank you, I naturally don’t need to be awkward. To be honest, if it weren’t for that, if someone else were the Hidden Official, who would dare to control how I draw my sword? I wouldn’t have been so polite.”

Chen Ping An said, “A Ten-Candidate Great Sword Immortal should have such heroic spirit.”

Yue Qing rubbed his chin and said, “You kid is decisive enough in your actions, I admit that, but the way you talk is truly unlikable.”

Chen Ping An handed over a pot of wine.

Yue Qing laughed heartily, accepted the wine pot, and departed on his sword.

Chen Ping An looked up and did not withdraw his gaze for a long time.

A Great Sword Immortal should be like this, holding the line, with clear love and hate.

Returning to his seat, he had just sat down when Gu Jianlong laughed, “Lord Hidden Official, don’t be partial! You gave Great Sword Immortal Yue a pot of wine, we’re family, you can’t treat us unfairly, right?”

Cao Gun smiled, “The new brew in the jar is ripe, truly comforting my secluded heart.”

Xuan Can followed suit, “I haven’t had the chance to drink the celestial brew from the wine shop, it’s a regret in life. I hope it can be remedied.”

Guo Zhujiu slapped the table, “Pay up first!”

Chen Ping An smiled and said, “The wine is there, we’ll talk about it later. After I kill a few Earth Immortal sword cultivators from the Barbarian World, I’ll take out a few pots of wine to celebrate.”

A chorus of boos erupted.

Gu Jianlong and Wang Xinshui were the most enthusiastic.

Dong Bude did not even raise his head, tsking, “You’re getting bolder and bolder.”

Gu Jianlong immediately said to Wang Xinshui, “Xinshui, what’s wrong with you?”

Wang Xinshui looked innocent and said, “Learning from you.”

After this humorous interlude, the previous gloomy atmosphere improved slightly.

Today, Chen Ping An got up and left again, taking a walk elsewhere on the city wall.

Mi Yu had resigned himself to his fate. Now he had two more jokes to add to his collection, becoming the Hidden Official lineage’s highest-realm sword cultivator, and then becoming the young Hidden Official’s lackey.

Often, as he walked, he would be teased by unfamiliar sword immortals, “With Brother Mi around, where is the need for Great Sword Immortal Lu to protect the Hidden Official lineage’s formation?”

There were also some nasty remarks that alluded to the Hidden Official, “Sword Immortal Mi, so free, admiring the scenery?”
Mi Yu gazed at Chen Ping’an, whose face remained perpetually wreathed in smiles. Could this be the so-called “allowing spittle to dry on one’s face?”

Gu Jianlong, that little bastard, occasionally spoke fair words, hitting the nail right on the head.

Once again, they passed by the place where Lie Ji stood guard.

In the interlude of sheathing his sword, Lie Ji, who was taking a moment to drink, stood up. Seeing the two of them passing near the wall, he retrieved two jars of wine from his storage treasure, smiling as he tossed one to Mi Yu and one to Chen Ping’an. “It’s wine from the Second Shopkeeper’s store.”

Mi Yu caught the jar. It was a “Bamboo Sea Grotto Heaven” wine, worth a snowflake coin. This Lie Ji really wouldn’t spend much, even when flattering someone.

Chen Ping’an also reached out to catch the jar of Bamboo Sea Grotto Heaven wine.

In that instant, anomalies erupted.

A streak of crimson sword light shot out suddenly, the sword aura so concentrated that the light seemed vividly dripping with blood.

It was Lie Ji’s natal flying sword, “Burning Blossom,” aimed directly at the heart of the new Hidden Official, Chen Ping’an.

Mi Yu’s heart nearly stopped. He instantly crushed the wine jar and unleashed his own natal flying sword, “Rosy Sky,” to desperately block Lie Ji’s sword.

Even if he couldn’t completely stop it, he had to buy Chen Ping’an a chance to react. Suffering a severe injury was better than being directly pierced through the chest by Lie Ji. A sword immortal’s flying sword, in addition to inflicting injury, would leave sword aura lingering within the enemy’s apertures, a tremendous problem. Though Lie Ji and Mi Yu were looked down upon by other sword immortals, Lie Ji’s full-powered strike at such close range, while Chen Ping’an was completely unguarded, reaching out to accept the potentially fatal wine, left Mi Yu with no choice but to try and ensure Chen Ping’an’s survival!

Mi Yu’s natal flying sword, Rosy Sky, though unleashed a fraction late, still managed to clip the tail of “Burning Blossom,” causing the tip to deviate slightly, missing the heart by a hair’s breadth.

At the same time, Mi Yu took a step forward, drawing his sword and slashing at Lie Ji, who had launched his flying sword and was already lunging forward.

Mi Yu’s sword was of extremely high quality, thanks to his brother Mi Hu’s gift. Lie Ji, however, had neither a Dao companion nor a master, and his sword was just an ordinary one from a sword-making workshop.

After Lie Ji’s Burning Blossom flying sword was slightly diverted by Mi Yu’s sword, Chen Ping’an made a hand seal. Without the golden decree of the law robe to protect him, he was currently wearing a green robe from the Ning estate, along with a standardized robe from the clothing workshop. Especially the inner robe, which emitted a radiant light and trembled with ripples, ultimately coalescing into a formless, ethereal golden talisman – a Sword-Locking Talisman.

However, the distance between him and Lie Ji was too short. Lie Ji had unleashed his natal sword this time without reservation, the flying sword moving forward with unwavering determination. The two swords collided, and the sword light exploded in a dazzling burst of color before Chen Ping’an. The scattering remains of Burning Blossom and Rosy Sky instantly shattered the outer robe from the clothing workshop. The flying sword Burning Blossom plunged into the golden Sword-Locking Talisman, causing cracks resembling ash to appear on the talisman, crisscrossing in all directions. The flying sword clearly intended to break through the talisman in one fell swoop.

With the Sword-Locking Talisman helping to stall the flying sword’s attack, Chen Ping’an activated a Shrinking Earth Talisman, retreating over ten zhang in a single step.

All Chen Ping’an could do was activate another talisman to escape.

The natal flying swords of two Jade Pure Realm sword immortals followed almost simultaneously, like shadows. However, Rosy Sky was saving a life, while Burning Blossom was only meant to kill.

Burning Blossom, in pursuit of ultimate speed, pierced Chen Ping’an an inch below his heart.

This was the close-range attack of a sword immortal’s flying sword.

An even more ruthless tactic was that Lie Ji didn’t retrieve his flying sword. Instead, he shattered his own Dao foundation, the natal flying sword of a sword cultivator, directly into pieces.

Mi Yu’s sword landed on Lie Ji’s shoulder, cleaving him in half with a single stroke, bisecting the robust physique of this Jade Pure Realm sword cultivator.

Lie Ji’s nascent soul departed, abandoning his physical body. He used an ordinary sword from the sword workshop to decapitate the new Hidden Official.

After the natal flying sword exploded within the young Hidden Official’s body, Lie Ji’s nascent soul was also affected by his own methods. The relatively weak, roaming nascent soul seemed to be bathing in the brilliance of Lie Ji’s final sword strike in this life. Man and sword, Dao and life, vanished together like smoke.

Mi Yu recalled his natal flying sword, but his long sword remained unsheathed for a long time.

Because Mi Yu knew that he had been ruined by this madman Lie Ji.

From this moment on, whether he would be thrown into Old Deaf’s prison depended on whether his brother Mi Hu’s immortal realm was impressive enough.

Lu Zhi arrived swiftly, riding her sword, her face ashen. Without even looking at the distraught Mi Yu, she gritted her teeth and said, “You’re truly useless!”

Lu Zhi immediately made a sword seal, attempting to gather the remaining soul fragments of the young Hidden Official, seeking a glimmer of hope for Chen Ping’an as much as possible.

But it was meaningless.

Lie Ji’s sword was too decisive.

Lu Zhi turned her head and looked towards the distant thatched cottage, using telepathy to ask the Great Sword Immortal.

Chen Qingdu said, “Let Chou Miao select three sword cultivators to enter the Hidden Official lineage with him.”

Lu Zhi said angrily, “Just like that?!”

Chen Qingdu replied, “Lu Zhi, are you embarrassed to ask me?”

Lu Zhi snapped, “Am I supposed to accompany Chen Ping’an everywhere from beginning to end? What about the safety of the other Hidden Official lineage sword cultivators? What about Mi Yu? Kill him?!”

Chen Qingdu said, “We’ll talk about it later.”

Lu Zhi suppressed the killing intent in her heart and returned to the Juma Path, where the Hidden Official lineage had gathered.

Seeing those young juniors, Lu Zhi hesitated for a moment before saying, “Hidden Official Lord was killed by the traitor Lie Ji. Lie Ji is also dead. Mi Yu is a suspect and will be temporarily detained. Chou Miao will bring three people into the Hidden Official lineage. You must leave the city immediately and move to the Summer Palace.”

Guo Zhujiu laughed and said, “Great Sword Immortal Lu, you’re truly a comedian.”

Lin Junbi and the others didn’t quite believe it either, looking at each other in disbelief.

Lu Zhi sighed, “That’s it. Leave the city and take care of yourselves.”

Lu Zhi then departed.

Guo Zhujiu asked with a smile, “Great Sword Immortal Mi, Lu Zhi has left. Don’t continue to make jokes, okay? Otherwise, I’ll get angry…”

Although the little girl’s face was full of smiles, her eyes were already filled with tears. As she spoke, her face crumpled, and she couldn’t say another word.

Lin Junbi’s heart was filled with complicated emotions.

This Hidden Official position was indeed difficult to hold.

The Jade Pure Realm sword immortal Lie Ji’s place in the Secondary Register was actually quite far back, only a few pages away from Mi Yu.

But precisely because of this, Lie Ji was able to be that accident and contingency.

As for why Lie Ji acted in this way, who knows?
The ancient history of the Sword Qi Great Wall, filled with entanglements of gratitude and resentment, was vast and complex. And almost none of the sword immortals had stories with happy endings.

Dong Bude’s face paled, clearly unable to accept this inexplicable outcome.

Gu Jianlong and Wang Xinshui clenched their fists, unable to accept this.

Xuan Can and other sword cultivators were also silently saddened.

Soon, a young-looking sword immortal arrived, a man in his early hundreds, at the Jade Purity Realm, reputed to be the most solid Jade Purity Realm cultivator in the Sword Qi Great Wall’s three thousand years.

His path of cultivation was solid in every realm, ascending step by step.

Chou Miao.

He had once followed A Liang to the heart of the barbaric world.

Beside Chou Miao was a Yuan Ying Realm female sword cultivator, naturally charming, named Luo Zhenyi. She was about the same age as Chou Miao, with exceptional beauty, the object of affection for many single sword immortals of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

In addition, there was a Golden Core Realm sword cultivator, the young Xu Ning, who possessed two Natal Flying Swords, “White Silk” and “Mountain Hue,” complementing each other.

And a Dragon Gate Realm young sword cultivator, Chang Taiqing.

Compared to the dazzling small factions of Qi Shou and Gao Yehou.

The sword cultivators led by Chou Miao spent most of their time cultivating within the large characters on the southern wall, even the young sword cultivators were like old Buddhist monks or high Taoist priests, their sword hearts withered.

Chou Miao said, “Mi Yu will stay by my side. The rest of you, move to the Summer Palace together. Zhenyi, Xu Ning, Taiqing, help out.”

Mi Yu smiled wryly.

Chou Miao’s meaning was simple: staying by his side, Mi Yu wouldn’t be able to do anything he wanted.

The first group of Hidden Official sword cultivators, including Lin Junbi, silently began to move, not harboring hostility towards the four later sword cultivators, Chou Miao and Luo Zhenyi, but there was no goodwill either.

After all, they had unknowingly grown accustomed to Chen Ping’an’s presence.

Only Guo Zhujiu sat on the spot, muttering, “I’m not leaving, I’m waiting for Master.”

Chou Miao said, “You can stay. Whenever you feel you can’t wait any longer, go to the Summer Palace to work.”

Chou Miao took the lead, and the group departed on their swords, heading to the important location west of the city.

Leaving only Guo Zhujiu sitting alone behind the desk.

All the sword cultivators landed on the plaza outside the main hall of the Summer Palace.

Chou Miao was taken aback.

No wonder he hadn’t been immediately appointed as the new Hidden Official.

Chou Miao didn’t care. In fact, whether he became a Hidden Official sword cultivator or stayed on the city wall to fight enemies, Chou Miao didn’t care; both were cultivation.

The three sword cultivators, including Luo Zhenyi, were surprised.

As for Mi Yu, he almost shed tears of joy.

Lin Junbi breathed a sigh of relief.

Good.

Now, he was on the same rope as this Hidden Official, sharing honor and disgrace.

Compared to the unfathomable Chou Miao, Lin Junbi was more willing to work with the guy in front of him.

At the entrance of the main hall, there was a young man in a blue robe, with a smile on his face, looking at the crowd.

His face was pale, but his eyes were bright.

Chen Ping’an waved at Mi Yu, “Walk with me.”

Then Chen Ping’an looked at Chou Miao, “When I’m not here, I’ll have to trouble you four to listen to Lin Junbi’s opinions.”

Chou Miao nodded, “No problem.”

Chen Ping’an looked at Gu Jianlong.

Gu Jianlong immediately understood and praised Chou Miao, this extremely famous and extremely independent young sword immortal, “Sword Immortal Chou Miao, magnificent and unparalleled, the sun and moon can attest to it!”

Luo Zhenyi frowned slightly.

Chen Ping’an had already led Mi Yu into a winding corridor, strolling elsewhere.

The crowd entered the main hall and soon discovered that all the secret archives of the Cold Avoidance Palace had been moved here. The main hall, besides the entrance, had three walls of books, orderly and well-organized. Many secret books had paper slips attached, making it easy for everyone to pick them up, search, and browse. It was clearly the Hidden Official’s work, written in neat and regular small characters.

Chen Ping’an was silent.

Mi Yu was overwhelmed with emotions and didn’t speak either.

Chen Ping’an himself took down the Sword Nurturing Gourd, then took out a pot of Bamboo Sea Grotto Heaven wine and handed it to Mi Yu.

Mi Yu said bitterly, “I’m afraid of this wine.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “There are thousands of drinkers, but only the wine is without fault. Drink without worry. Ask if you have any questions.”

Mi Yu asked, “What’s going on? Who exactly is the Hidden Official above the city wall?”

Chen Ping’an said, “It’s a very high-grade substitute talisman, plus a puppet technique. It’s a genuine Golden Body Realm martial artist’s physique. Plus, the Eldest Sword Immortal helped me cover it up a little, so it’s relatively hidden. But if it were just that, it definitely wouldn’t fool you, Mi Yu, which means it might not fool Lie Ji. So I attached a portion of my soul to the talisman puppet. Every step ‘I’ took on the city wall, every rise and fall of my breath, required me to carefully control it here at the Summer Palace. So I’m seriously injured right now, and it’s not an act. But paying this small price to dig out an unexpected traitor, and a sword immortal at that, is worth it. In fact, the person I wanted to fish out at first wasn’t Lie Ji; it was someone else. As for who it is, you’ve been by my side all along, so there are clues, but I guess you’ve forgotten.”

Mi Yu tentatively asked, “The ‘what if’ you mentioned earlier, using yourself as bait to fish out big fish at the level of Yangzhi and Huang Luan, you actually anticipated this attack and were laying the groundwork?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Our sword cultivators can secretly send messages to the barbaric world, and naturally they can secretly send messages to the Sword Qi Great Wall. As for why Lie Ji betrayed us, whether he hates the Vast Bright World more, or hates the Eldest Sword Immortal more, or hates the entire Sword Qi Great Wall, he must have his reasons. Otherwise, his sword wouldn’t have been so resolute. But I’m not interested in the twists and turns in it. Anyway, Lie Ji is a dead man.”

Chen Ping’an emphasized, “This kind of person should die as soon as possible, otherwise, he might really drag one or two great sword immortals to their deaths at a crucial moment.”

Mi Yu stopped, his face extremely ugly, “I was pulled into the Hidden Official line just for this day, this matter?!”
Chen Ping’an also stopped, nodding with a smile, and spoke frankly, “It’s not just about recruiting you, but also inviting Lu Zhi. It’s all the same, truth and falsehood intertwined. Without this, how can we deceive the treacherous sword immortals? A sword immortal with a treacherous heart becomes exceptionally clever. With Lu Zhi protecting all of us in the Hidden Official lineage, unless a Celestial Realm sword immortal launches a close-range attack right in front of me, there’s a chance, otherwise, anyone drawing a sword is just wishful thinking. With this premise, my departure from Lu Zhi gives people the illusion that there won’t be another chance.”

Speaking of this, Chen Ping’an leaned against a corridor pillar, shaking the sword-nurturing gourd in his hand, and smiled, “Such a good opportunity, it would be a pity to miss it. We can give it a try.”

“Lu Zhi’s protection and the tight security is a facade for others to see, implying that the Hidden Official is extremely safe and his life is worry-free. Leaving Lu Zhi, whether Yu Pu Realm Mi Yu is by my side or not, is another necessary suggestion, otherwise, the assassin would worry that I am fearless and suspect a trap. Not carrying a sword of immortal soldier rank, not wearing a robe of immortal soldier rank, Jin Li, are even more reasonable measures. So, without the robe, and discarding the mere window-dressing sword immortal Mi Yu as protection, the Hidden Official’s true reliance is only being in the Sword Qi Great Wall and his own Golden Body Realm martial arts physique.”

Mi Yu took a heavy gulp of wine, still remaining silent.

Chen Ping’an said, “If the Hidden Official dies, people’s hearts will inevitably scatter, and our sword formation will be affected. This is human nature. So, next we can fish even better. More than killing a sword immortal, this is the outcome I desire the most.”

Mi Yu stared blankly at the young man.

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Actually, I’ve thought of many things, most of which are just thoughts, useless.”

Mi Yu was never good at thinking about big or difficult matters. Even with his cultivation stagnating, his elder brother Mi Hu was extremely anxious for many years, but Mi Yu himself was more open-minded. So Mi Yu only asked one question whose answer he most wanted to know, “If you resent someone from the Sword Qi Great Wall, will they not even know how they ultimately died?”

Chen Ping’an was stunned for a moment, and then seriously considered it, nodding, “It should be possible, but I haven’t thought about it. Because for me, the loss outweighs the gain. A Dao heart is hard-earned. I’ve been poor since I was little and I’m used to cherishing precious things.”

Mi Yu’s gaze suddenly sharpened, “For example, the Qi family who made things difficult for the Ning residence in the early years?! Do you hate them? Are you really without any personal feelings? That Thirteen Contest, and now you’ve become the Hidden Official, you must have scoured through archives and secret records, and there must be clues you’ve unearthed. Which sword immortal said what key words at what time? You know more of the filthy details!”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Brother Mi, you guess.”

Chen Ping’an handed over the sword-nurturing gourd. Mi Yu’s wine pot didn’t move, and Chen Ping’an looked helpless and said, “Anyway, I’m not the kind of person who holds grudges, may Heaven and Earth be my witness.”

Mi Yu seemed even more listless than Chen Ping’an, who had suffered damage to his soul, his spirit completely gone. He casually asked, “That girl Guo Zhujiu is still on the city wall, when will you notify her to come back?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Wait a little longer.”

Mi Yu shook his head, “Scheming and scheming, still scheming. You don’t even spare a little girl, Guo Zhujiu is your disciple! Even if your intentions are good, I still find it strange, Chen Ping’an, aren’t you tired? Don’t you feel any guilt at all?”

Chen Ping’an retorted, “Is it enough to only seek a clear conscience for oneself? Do you think Lie Ji doesn’t have a clear conscience? A dignified sword immortal, even risking his life. How much resentment must there be, how much clear conscience must there be?”

Mi Yu was speechless.

Chen Ping’an looked up at the southern city wall and laughed, “Burning Flower, Burning Flower, what a ‘mountain green, flowers about to burn’! Sword immortals are experts at naming their natal flying swords.”

The two returned together to the main hall of the Summer Retreat Palace.

Mi Yu sat in his designated seat.

Chen Ping’an didn’t sit down, but sat on the steps outside the door.

Chen Ping’an only said one sentence, “Except for the Hidden Official lineage’s flying swords, which can leave this place, no one is allowed to leave the Summer Retreat Palace half a step in the near future, and no one is allowed to secretly meet outsiders. Once discovered, they will be executed immediately for treason. And the Hidden Official lineage’s messenger flying swords, Chou Miao and the four, and Lin Junbi and the twelve, must know the contents of each message, word by word, let Sword Immortal Mi Yu record them in a register.”

Xu Ning looked up at the figure outside the door and asked, “Since you don’t trust us, why did you recruit us into the Hidden Official lineage?”

Chen Ping’an held the sword-nurturing gourd in one hand and the folding fan in the other, “Before speaking to me, first address me as Hidden Official Lord.”

Xu Ning really did add “Hidden Official Lord” before repeating that sentence.

Only then did Chen Ping’an say with a bright smile, “I don’t even trust myself, how can I trust you?”

Xu Ning was silent. Luo Zhenyi and Chang Taiqing suddenly raised their heads, both with angry expressions on their faces.

Xuan Can and Cao Gun admired this Hidden Official Lord from the bottom of their hearts, and being sword cultivators from other lands, they were even more direct than Gu Jianlong and Wang Xinshui, confronting the three sword cultivators. The two young men made no secret of their allegiance.

Chou Miao said, “Speak less in crowds, return early if there’s nothing to do, do the work if there is. Since the four of us have become sword cultivators of the Hidden Official lineage, everything will be done according to the rules.”

Chen Ping’an turned his head and smiled, “If I die, Sword Immortal Chou Miao and Junbi are indeed the best candidates for Hidden Official.”

Lin Junbi pretended to be deaf and dumb.

Chou Miao ignored him even more.

In the night, a message-transmitting flying sword went to the city wall, and then there was a heartbroken little girl, slowly controlling her sword and coming over, crying and wiping away tears along the way.

After landing gracefully, her figure was still a bit unsteady.

Then, seeing the master who had already stood up, she immediately broke into a smile.

Chen Ping’an said softly with a smile, “A little bit too much.”

Guo Zhujiu put away her sword and stood in front of Chen Ping’an, stepping excitedly in place, her arms swaying, her eyebrows and eyes flying, “Master, let me tell you, previously, I was the only one who believed that Master would definitely not die, but I didn’t expect Master to be so all-knowing and all-powerful, even deceiving me. Even if I broke my little head, I would never have thought that Master was already in the Summer Retreat Palace. It’s amazing, extremely amazing…”
“I’ve said it before, as long as I, your teacher, am here, it’s not your place to be thinking about matters of life and death. That’s how it will be from now on. You must trust your teacher.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and retrieved a small bamboo chest from his mustard seed space. “This is a reward for you. If you don’t mind the weight, carry it. But you’re not allowed to show it off to others.”

Guo Zhujiu hoisted the small bamboo chest onto her back and asked softly, “Teacher, is this little bamboo chest also a spirit? Did it grow legs and come looking for you? Okay then, when Eldest Senior Sister gave me my little bamboo chest, it didn’t turn into a spirit. Later, Teacher, you can make an ordinary book chest without legs and give it to Eldest Senior Sister. This little bamboo chest that’s grown up will belong to me.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled and shook his head. “You can argue it out with Pei Qian yourself later. Your teacher won’t favor anyone.”

Chen Ping’an ruffled Guo Zhujiu’s hair. “Go on, get busy. Don’t neglect your duties.”

Guo Zhujiu skipped up the steps, then spun around, jumping backward to face the crowd in the hall. She stood still for a moment before turning to move.

Chen Ping’an didn’t follow her into the hall, but instead continued to stroll around the Summer Palace.

Every step he took was within his own little world.

Chen Ping’an produced a talisman made of azure material, flicked it gently, and said, “Old Sword Immortal, I won’t let you deliver this little bamboo chest for free. Any sword immortals recently spying on the Summer Palace, just kill them directly. Those willing to take such risks and lacking patience are of no further value to our Sword Qi Great Wall.”

After a pause, Chen Ping’an added, “If such a meritorious deed is truly delivered to our doorstep, then it can be credited to the leader of our Hidden Official lineage, Sword Immortal Mi Yu.”

Even though Chen Ping’an was speaking within his own little world, it was as if it were made of paper to Chen Qingdu.

Although Chen Qingdu neither agreed nor refused, his meaning was clear: he had chosen Chen Ping’an to be the Hidden Official, and he could do as he pleased.

The old Sword Immortal changed the subject. “I’ll make an exception and ask you one more time. Have you really thought it through? If it’s truly you, will you not regret it? Will you not discuss it with Ning Yao beforehand?”

Chen Ping’an didn’t give an answer either, and changed the subject as well. “How is my Eldest Brother doing?”

Chen Qingdu replied with a casual, “So-so.”

Chen Ping’an then put away the talisman, hiding it in his sleeve, and swapped it for another. He flicked it gently, chanted a mantra, and instantly arrived at the other Winter Palace.

On the Summer Palace side, there was a towering ancient tree, its jade leaves providing a cool autumn breeze.

The Winter Palace’s warding charm, however, was a deer antler ruyi scepter inscribed with poetry, shaped like a fish tail and a sprig of lingzhi mushroom.

Chen Ping’an walked through the enormous mansion, completely alone.

Both palaces were, in fact, extremely simple inside, with almost no unnecessary decorative objects.

Chen Ping’an intended to familiarize himself with this environment first.

Before leaving this deathly silent mansion and returning to the Summer Palace side,

Chen Ping’an said to himself, “I’ve thought it through. It will be me.”