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

One wanted to settle the accounts of the Yan family, the other carefully inquired about the trading rules between Sword Qi Great Wall and the ferries to the Inverted Mountain across the continents.

The real problem was the Yan family’s wealth. If they fronted immortal money, how long could they sustain losses in transaction after transaction, and how should Sword Qi Great Wall compensate the Yan family for its losses?

A Bao Fu Zhai, a great magnate, the two chatted for the better part of an hour, each calculating their own gains.

On the way here, Chen Ping’an had been remarkably frank with Mi Yu. Mi Yu felt that Nalan Shao Wei might be difficult to deal with, but Yan Ming should be no problem. Firstly, Chen Ping’an was already the Hidden Official, appointed in a moment of crisis, wielding immense authority. Secondly, Chen Ping’an had an excellent relationship with the eldest son of the Yan family. Whether for personal or official reasons, Yan Ming should sell everything he had to help Chen Ping’an support the cause. Thirdly, and most importantly, Chen Ping’an’s words carried weight with the Old Sword Immortal.

Chen Ping’an bid farewell to Yan Ming and went to find Nalan Shao Wei. In external trade, the Yan and Nalan families were the two golden signs of Sword Qi Great Wall. The Dong, Chen, and Qi families, the three top families, controlled the garment workshops, sword forges, and pill refineries, but they lacked raw capital. Therefore, Yan Ming and Nalan Shao Wei were the true deities of wealth.

Mi Yu asked, “Did it go smoothly?”

Chen Ping’an mocked himself, “The general direction is fine, but the details are fraught with obstacles. I originally thought that dealing with two seniors would be easier first, then harder, but it seems like it will be difficult squared.”

Mi Yu teased, “Weren’t the Hidden Official’s several ‘Uncle Yan’ calls wasted?”

Immediately, this Yu Pu Realm sword immortal, who liked to hold wine and admire the moon, and lie drunk amidst the evening glow, became somewhat annoyed. “Is this Yan Ming being too ungrateful? Not giving the Hidden Official a bit of face? Even I understand the principle of ‘one prospers, all prosper; one suffers, all suffer.’ What is Yan Ming dithering about? Is it because he lost his arms early on, refused to ascend the wall, and killed few demons, that he’s even more afraid the Hidden Official will snatch his financial power?”

Mi Yu didn’t fear Yan Ming, who had fallen to the Nascent Soul Realm.

Having an abundance of immortal money, yet unable to use it on one’s natal flying sword, such a pitiful creature was even more worthless than those sword cultivators who diligently killed demons and desperately nurtured their swords.

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “It’s not that simple. Yan Ming is extremely meticulous in his calculations. Since the general direction has been agreed upon, haggling over details isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I’ll just visit him a few more times. On the other hand, Yan Ming’s actions show that he doesn’t think the Hidden Official is worth more than immortal money, and that’s truly being responsible for Sword Qi Great Wall.”

Mi Yu softly asked, “Hidden Official, do you really have no grievances?”

Chen Ping’an said, “It’s more about enjoying some comfortable things. Like Sword Immortal Mi, a celestial being like you, it’s difficult to advance bravely in the realm. Difficult things, once overcome, bring benefits, even in the slightest.”

Mi Yu was speechless.

There were still grievances. But there was no way to deal with Yan Ming, so he could only pity himself.

However, Mi Yu could tolerate these direct words. What he couldn’t tolerate were the smiling faces of some sword immortals, the polite greetings that were just greetings, like Li Tuimi in the past. Or those who didn’t even bother to look at him, Mi Yu, directly, such as the Great Sword Immortal Yue Qing, who had a close relationship with his brother Mi Hu. Yue Qing never said unpleasant things to Mi Yu, because he said nothing at all. Those dull knives that seemed wrapped in silk were the most damaging to one’s sword heart.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “We’re just saying unpleasant things about our own family behind closed doors. Sword Immortal Mi, don’t take it to heart.”

When they arrived at Nalan Shao Wei’s, the Old Sword Immortal said only 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 female sword cultivator in the Nascent Soul Realm. Her realm wasn’t high, but she was skilled in managing the household and making money.

Now Mi Yu was truly furious. “Is this Nalan old man putting on such airs?!”

Chen Ping’an remained silent.

And Mi Yu only dared to grumble afterward.

Earlier, when he saw Nalan Shao Wei, he didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.

The two found Nalan Caihuan, a beautifully adorned and graceful woman, her hair adorned with a white jade hairpin, the end of which was cleverly carved into a lifelike dragonfly. She wore a thin silk dress with gold-threaded seams and a pair of red brocade shoes. She was a recognized beauty in Sword Qi Great Wall.

She looked like a pampered noblewoman, but when she drew her sword on the city wall, she was fierce and ruthless, just like Qi Shou.

Mi Yu’s thoughts were complex, deliberately putting on a cold expression.

Nalan Caihuan was of the same generation as Mi Yu. Despite Mi Yu being seen as an embroidered pillow in the eyes of sword immortals, many women liked Mi Yu. And the women who couldn’t obtain him cursed Mi Yu even more fiercely than men. Nalan Caihuan was one of them. Before Mi Yu became a Yu Pu 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 one after another, both in Sword Qi Great Wall and in the Vast World, affectionate women couldn’t retain Mi Yu.

Mi Yu looked at people.

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

Chen Ping’an’s opening remark almost made Mi Yu lose his composure.

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

After that, Nalan Caihuan composed herself and began to discuss the follow-up and hammer out the details with the Hidden Official, who had received the “Old Ancestor’s edict.”

The two returned to the Hidden Official lineage’s Zou Ma Dao.

Mi Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and softly asked, “If Nalan Caihuan chats with Nalan Shao Wei later, won’t the Hidden Official be exposed?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Demand the sky-high price, bargain from the ground up, each according to their ability. If Nalan Shao Wei doesn’t like listening to me, then let Nalan Caihuan say it.”

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

Mi Yu smiled wryly, “Isn’t there also Lu Zhi? It won’t be my turn to fight Nalan old man.”

Nalan Shao Wei and Lu Zhi were both among the top ten sword immortals of Sword Qi Great Wall. In the past, when Mi Yu saw them, even if he didn’t have to detour, he would still feel ashamed and awed by them in his heart.
Mi Yu’s most frequent companions were swordsmen of the Fifth Realm, often of a flamboyant nature, with very few Sword Immortals of the Upper Five Realms amongst them.

Accompanying Chen Ping’an along the ramparts, only one Jade Pure Realm Sword Immortal greeted Mi Yu, named Lie Ji. In matters of cultivation, he was a kindred spirit to Mi Yu, the type who showed early promise but failed to live up to it. In the vast world, it was perhaps a unique regret for a Sword Immortal; yet, in the Great Wall of Sword Qi, it was a publicly acknowledged joke.

It was said that Lie Ji disliked meditation and was fond of talking and laughing, once having the nickname “Magpie.” However, the younger generation of the Great Wall of Sword Qi found it hard to believe that Lie Ji Sword Immortal could have such an outlandish moniker.

Lie Ji often sought out Mi Yu to drink and relieve his boredom.

Just now, seeing Chen Ping’an, Lie Ji greeted him with a cheerful shout of “Lord Hidden Officer!”

Chen Ping’an, who was originally walking with his hands tucked into his sleeves, smiled, nodded, and returned the greeting with a cupped fist.

After walking a distance, Chen Ping’an jested, “Sword Immortal Mi has a wide circle of friends. I’m benefiting from it.”

Mi Yu glanced at the southern wall, like Pang Yuanji, he actually preferred to draw his sword and slay demons.

In the following days, besides overseeing the Hidden Officer lineage, Chen Ping’an would often call upon Mi Yu to discuss matters with others.

All of them were important figures.

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

Chen Ping’an wanted to thoroughly understand the intricacies of the “Heavenly Timing Contest.”

During this time, Mi Yu noticed that Ning Yao had donned the Golden Liqueur Robe, a magical garment of Immortal Armament grade, and had a newly crafted sword box containing two longswords, one of which was the very “Sword Immortal” that Chen Ping’an used to slay Li Zhen, truly a fine name. No wonder the young Hidden Officer would occasionally joke with Gu Jianlong and Wang Xinshui by his desk, saying he possessed exceptional talent in naming things, and if naming things were the sole path to enlightenment, he would already be at the Immortal realm by now.

Pang Yuanji mentioned that the Hidden Officer lineage had collected millennia of files and secret records, categorized in the Summer Retreat and Winter Refuge Palaces, immensely convenient for searching and reviewing. Especially the Summer Retreat Palace, which was of utmost importance. Instead of hastily preparing and having people shuttle back and forth for needed files, it would be better for everyone to relocate to the Summer Retreat Palace. Given the Hidden Officer lineage’s extremely fast message-carrying flying swords, the two paintings could be moved to one of the residences there. Otherwise, the gathering of all the Hidden Officer lineage swordsmen at Zouma Road would surely attract the attention of powerful demons, and their presence on the city wall would diminish the killing power of Great Sword Immortal Lu Zhi.

Almost every swordsman of the Hidden Officer lineage agreed, supporting Pang Yuanji’s suggestion.

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

Pang Yuanji did not continue to argue about this matter, but Dong Budde and Deng Liang both disagreed with the Hidden Officer’s decision, expressing their concerns in person.

Dong Budde’s focus was that the Hidden Officer lineage was too important, and staying on Zouma Road risked being wiped out in one fell swoop.

Deng Liang was even more regretful about Great Sword Immortal Lu Zhi’s continued presence there, which contradicted one of the Hidden Officer lineage’s principles of meticulousness and striving for every advantage.

Guo Zhujiu, unusually silent, lowered her head, wishing she could bore two holes through the books and desk with her gaze, deeply worried.

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

For Guo Zhujiu, for whom her master was the most important thing in the world, this was an unprecedented act.

But Chen Ping’an still did not agree, offering more reasons, but failing to truly convince the others. Therefore, the overall atmosphere among the Hidden Officer lineage swordsmen had been somewhat heavy for the past two days.

After this, Great Sword Immortal Yue Qing took time out of his busy schedule to visit this place, pausing for a moment at the edge of the sword energy barrier drawn by Mi Yu, before continuing forward.

Chen Ping’an immediately rose to his feet, actively welcoming Yue Qing.

The two did not approach the other swordsmen of the Hidden Officer lineage.

Yue Qing smiled, “Chen Ping’an, don’t worry about my pride. I’ve come this time not only to apologize to the closed-door disciple of the Literary Saint lineage but also to thank Chen Ping’an, not the Hidden Officer.”

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

Yue Qing said, “I didn’t hide anything when I said bad things about you from the Literary Saint lineage. Now, when I apologize and thank you, there’s no need to be awkward either. To be honest, if it weren’t for that, and someone else were the Hidden Officer, who would dare to tell me how to wield my sword? I wouldn’t be so polite.”

Chen Ping’an said, “A candidate for the Top Ten Great Sword Immortals should have such heroic spirit.”

Yue Qing rubbed his chin, saying, “You kid is decisive in doing things, I admit it, but the way you talk is really unlikeable.”

Chen Ping’an handed over a pot of wine.

Yue Qing laughed heartily, took the wine pot, and left on his sword.

Chen Ping’an looked up, his gaze lingering for a long time.

A Great Sword Immortal should be like this, upholding principles and showing clear love and hatred.

Returning to his seat, as soon as he sat down, Gu Jianlong laughed, “Lord Hidden Officer, don’t favor one over another. You gave Great Sword Immortal Yue a pot of wine, we can’t shortchange our own people, can we?”

Cao Gun smiled, “New brew matures in the jar, truly uplifting the desolate spirit.”

Xuan Can joined in the clamor, “Never having tasted the Immortal Wine from the wine shop is a regret in life, hopefully it can be remedied.”

Guo Zhujiu slammed her hand on the table, “Pay up first!”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “There is wine, but we’ll talk about it later. When we’ve killed 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 Budde didn’t even look up, tutting, “Bold as brass, eh?”

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

Wang Xinshui looked innocent, “Learning from you.”

After this interlude of jesting and teasing, the previous somber 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 repertoire: becoming the swordsman with the highest cultivation level in the current Hidden Officer lineage and then turning into the young Hidden Officer’s lackey.

Often, as he walked along, familiar-but-not-close Sword Immortals would joke with Mi Yu, “With Brother Mi around, where is the need for Great Sword Immortal Lu to protect your Hidden Officer lineage?”

There were even more annoying words that teased even the Hidden Officer, “Sword Immortal Mi, so free, enjoying the scenery?”
Looking at Chen Pingan’s ever-present smile, Mi Yu wondered if this was the legendary “allowing someone to spit on your face and letting it dry”?

Gu Jianlong, that little rascal, did speak some fair words that hit the nail on the head.

Once again, they passed by Lie Ji’s position.

Taking a break from practicing his swordsmanship to enjoy some wine, Lie Ji stood up as he saw the two passing near the wall. He retrieved two jars of wine from his storage artifact, smiling as he tossed one each to Mi Yu and Chen Pingan, “It’s wine from the Second Shopkeeper’s store.”

Mi Yu caught the jar, recognizing it as the Bamboo Sea Grotto Heaven wine, worth a single snowflake coin. This Lie Ji was truly stingy, even when flattering someone.

Chen Pingan also reached out to catch the jar of Bamboo Sea Grotto Heaven wine.

In that instant, a sudden change occurred.

A streak of crimson sword light shot out abruptly, its sword energy so dense that the color of the light was practically dripping with blood.

It was Lie Ji’s natal sword, “Burning Flower,” aimed directly at the heart of the newly appointed Hidden Official, Chen Pingan.

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

Even if he couldn’t completely stop it, he had to buy Chen Pingan a sliver of a chance to react. Sustaining heavy injuries was better than being directly pierced through the chest by Lie Ji. A sword immortal’s flying sword, aside from inflicting injury, also left sword energy lingering within the enemy’s meridians, which was an immense problem. Although Lie Ji and Mi Yu were looked down upon by other sword immortals, Lie Ji’s all-out strike at such close range, with Chen Pingan completely unguarded and reaching for the potentially fatal wine, Mi Yu could only hope to ensure Chen Pingan’s survival!

Mi Yu’s natal sword, Rosy Sky, although launched a fraction of a second late, still managed to graze the tail of “Burning Flower” with its tip, causing the latter’s point to deviate slightly from the heart.

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

Mi Yu’s sword was of extremely high quality, a gift from his brother Mi Hu. Lie Ji, however, had neither a Dao companion nor a master, and his sword was merely an ordinary blade from a sword smithy.

After Lie Ji’s Burning Flower was slightly redirected by Mi Yu’s flying sword, Chen Pingan formed a hand seal. Without the protection of a magic robe, Chen Pingan was currently wearing a green robe from the Ning Estate, coupled with the standard magic robe from the clothing workshop. Especially the inner robe, its precious light flowed, ripples vibrated, and ultimately condensed into an ethereal golden talisman – the Sword-Locking Talisman.

However, the distance between them was too short. Lie Ji had unleashed his natal sword with no reservations. The flying sword advanced without hesitation. As the two swords clashed, sword light exploded, creating a blindingly brilliant spectacle before Chen Pingan. Fragments of Burning Flower and Rosy Sky shattered Chen Pingan’s outer clothing workshop robe instantly. The flying sword Burning Flower pierced into the golden Sword-Locking Talisman. Cracks, resembling traces of ash, appeared on the talisman, crisscrossing, as if the flying sword was determined to break through it in one go.

With the Sword-Locking Talisman helping to slow the flying sword’s attack slightly, Chen Pingan activated a Ground-Shrinking Talisman, retreating over a dozen feet in a single step.

All that Chen Pingan could do was use another talisman to escape.

The two jade purity realm sword immortals’ natal swords followed almost simultaneously, like shadows, except Rosy Sky was saving someone, while Burning Flower was solely for killing.

In pursuit of extreme speed, Burning Flower pierced Chen Pingan’s chest, an inch below his heart.

This was a sword immortal’s close-range flying sword strike.

An even more ruthless tactic was that Lie Ji did not retrieve his flying sword. Instead, he risked his very foundation, a sword cultivator’s natal sword, and directly shattered it.

Mi Yu’s sword landed on Lie Ji’s shoulder, slicing down and cleaving the jade purity realm sword cultivator’s resilient physique in two.

Lie Ji’s nascent soul escaped, abandoning his physical body. He used a sword smithy blade to try and sever the head of the new Hidden Official.

However, after the natal sword exploded within the young Hidden Official, Lie Ji’s nascent soul was also affected by his own actions. The relatively fragile distant-wandering nascent soul seemed to be bathed in the light of Lie Ji’s last sword strike. Man and sword, Dao and life, vanished together in a puff of smoke.

Mi Yu retrieved his natal sword, but the longsword remained unsheathed for a long time.

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

From this moment on, whether he would be thrown into the old deaf man’s prison depended on whether his brother Mi Hu’s immortal realm strength was enough.

Lu Zhi hurriedly arrived, riding on her sword. Her face was ashen. Without even looking at the distraught Mi Yu, she gritted her teeth and said, “You are truly a useless piece of trash!”

Lu Zhi immediately formed a sword seal, trying to gather the remaining fragments of the young Hidden Official’s soul, hoping to find a glimmer of hope for Chen Pingan’s survival.

But it was meaningless.

Lie Ji’s sword strike was too decisive.

Lu Zhi turned to look at the distant thatched cottage, using telepathy to ask the greatest sword immortal.

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

Lu Zhi was indignant, “That’s it?!”

Chen Qingdu replied, “Lu Zhi, how can you even ask me that?”

Lu Zhi retorted angrily, “Am I supposed to accompany Chen Pingan 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 Gathering Horse Path, where the Hidden Official lineage gathered, with Mi Yu.

Seeing the young juniors, Lu Zhi hesitated for a moment before saying, “Hidden Official 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 walls immediately and move to the Summer Palace.”

Guo Zhujiu laughed, “Great Sword Immortal Lu, you’re truly telling a joke.”

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

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

Lu Zhi then left.

Guo Zhujiu asked with a cheerful smile, “Great Sword Immortal Mi, Lu Zhi is gone, so you shouldn’t continue telling jokes anymore, right? Otherwise, I’ll get angry…”

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

Lin Junbi’s mood was extremely complicated.

This Hidden Official position was indeed not easy to hold.

The jade purity realm sword immortal, Lie Ji, was actually ranked quite low in the auxiliary booklet, only a few pages away from Mi Yu.

But it was precisely because of this that Lie Ji could be that accident and contingency.

As for why Lie Ji acted this way, who knew?
The old stories of the Sword Qi Great Wall, the entanglements of gratitude and grudges, are far too many, and almost none of the Sword Immortal’s tales have a happy ending.

Dong Bude’s face was pale, obviously unable to accept this inexplicable outcome.

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

Xuan Can and the other Sword Cultivators were also silent and despondent.

Soon, a young-looking Sword Immortal man arrived, a little over a hundred years old, in the Jade Purity Realm, hailed as the most stable Jade Purity Realm cultivator in the Sword Qi Great Wall in three thousand years.

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

Chou Miao.

He once followed Ah Liang to the heart of the desolate world.

Beside Chou Miao was also a female Nascent Soul Realm Sword Cultivator, naturally charming, named Luo Zhenyi. She was about the same age as Chou Miao, extremely beautiful, and 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, often trained in the large characters on the south wall, even the young Sword Cultivators were like old Buddhist monks or Taoist masters, 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 bitterly.

Chou Miao’s meaning was simple: with him, Mi Yu, by his side, whatever he wanted to do would be impossible.

The first group of Hidden Official Sword Cultivators, including Lin Junbi, silently began to move, not hostile to the four later Sword Cultivators, Chou Miao and Luo Zhenyi, but certainly not friendly either.

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

Only Guo Zhujiu sat on the spot, blankly saying, “I won’t leave, I’ll wait for Shifu.”

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

Chou Miao took the lead, and the group left the city wall on their swords, heading to that important place west of the city.

Leaving behind only Guo Zhujiu, sitting alone behind the desk.

All the Sword Cultivators landed on the plaza outside the hall of the Summer Palace.

Chou Miao was stunned for a moment.

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 the enemy, Chou Miao didn’t care. Both were cultivation.

The three Sword Cultivators, including Luo Zhenyi, were quite surprised.

As for Mi Yu, he almost burst into tears.

Lin Junbi breathed a sigh of relief.

Good.

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

Compared to the unfathomable Chou Miao, Lin Junbi was more willing to work with this fellow 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 everyone.

His face was pale, but his eyes were bright.

Chen Ping’an beckoned to Mi Yu, “Walk with me.”

Then Chen Ping’an looked at Chou Miao, “In the future, when I’m not here, please trouble the four of you to listen to Lin Junbi’s opinions as well.”

Chou Miao nodded and said, “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, saying, “Sword Immortal Chou Miao, grand and magnificent, the sun and moon can attest to it!”

Luo Zhenyi frowned slightly.

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

The group entered the main hall, and soon

discovered that all the secret records and files of the Frost-Avoiding Palace had been moved here. Besides the entrance, the main hall had three walls of books, neatly arranged. Many secret records and books were marked with paper slips and notes, making it easy for people to pick them up and consult them. It was clearly the Hidden Official’s handiwork, written in neat and regular small characters.

Chen Ping’an was silent.

Mi Yu was filled with mixed feelings, and he didn’t speak either.

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

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

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “There are thousands of people who drink wine, but only the wine is blameless. But drink it without worry. Ask if you have any questions.”

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

Chen Ping’an said, “It’s a substitute talisman of very high quality, plus a puppet technique. It’s a genuine Golden Body Realm martial artist’s physique. With Senior Sword Immortal helping me conceal it a little, 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 part of my soul to the talisman puppet. Every step I take on the city wall, every breath I take, I need to carefully control here in the Summer Palace, so I’m quite injured at the moment, and it’s not an act. But paying this little price to dig out an unexpected traitor, a Sword Immortal no less, is worth it. In fact, the person I wanted to fish for at first wasn’t Lie Ji, it was someone else. As for who it is, you’ve been by my side all along, there are actually clues, but I guess you’ve forgotten.”

Mi Yu tentatively asked, “The ‘what if’ you mentioned earlier, using yourself as bait to fish for big fish of the Yang Zhi and Huang Luan realm, you actually thought of this attack and were laying the groundwork?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “The Sword Cultivators on our side can secretly send messages to the desolate world, so the other side can naturally secretly send messages to the Sword Qi Great Wall. As for why Lie Ji betrayed, whether he hates the Vast Sky more, or hates Senior Sword Immortal more, or hates the entire Sword Qi Great Wall, there must be his reasons. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have drawn his sword so decisively. But I’m not interested in the twists and turns in that. Anyway, Lie Ji is a dead man.”

Chen Ping’an emphasized, “People like this should die as soon as possible, or he might really drag one or two Great Sword Immortals down with him at a critical moment.”

Mi Yu stopped, his face extremely ugly, “I was pulled into the Hidden Official lineage just for this day, this matter?!”
Chen Ping’an also stopped, smiling and nodding, speaking candidly, “It’s not just pulling you in, inviting Lu Zhi is the same. Truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, if we don’t do this, how can we deceive those sword immortals with ulterior motives? Once a sword immortal harbors betrayal, their minds become exceptionally sharp. Lu Zhi is there protecting everyone in our Hidden Officer lineage. Unless an Immortal Realm sword immortal is right in front of me, delivering a close-range attack, there’s a chance, otherwise, anyone drawing their sword is just wishful thinking. With that as a given, my leaving Lu Zhi’s side will give people the illusion that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Speaking of this, Chen Ping’an leaned against a corridor pillar, shaking the sword-nurturing gourd in his hand, smiling, “Such a great opportunity, it would be a pity to miss it, we can try it out.”

“Lu Zhi’s protection, with its strict defenses, is a facade for others to see, suggesting that the Hidden Officer is extremely safe and has no worries about his life. Leaving Lu Zhi, whether or not Yu Pu Realm Mi Yu is by his side, is another necessary implication, otherwise the assassin would worry that I’m fearless and suspect a trick. Not carrying a sword that’s an immortal artifact, not wearing a robe of similar quality, is an even more reasonable measure. So, without the robe, and getting rid of the ornamental sword immortal Mi Yu as a bodyguard, the Hidden Officer’s true reliance is only being within Sword Qi Great Wall, and his own Golden Body Realm martial artist physique.”

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

Chen Ping’an said, “If the Hidden Officer dies, people’s hearts will inevitably become scattered. Our sword formation will be affected, that’s only human. So next, we can fish even better. Killing a sword immortal isn’t what I want most.”

Mi Yu stared blankly at this young man.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Actually, I’ve thought about a lot of things, but most of them are just thoughts, useless.”

Mi Yu never excelled at thinking about big or difficult issues. Even regarding his stalled cultivation, his elder brother Mi Hu was anxious for many years, while Mi Yu himself was more open-minded. So Mi Yu only asked the question he wanted the answer to most: “If you resent someone from Sword Qi Great Wall, will they not even know how they die in the end?”

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

Mi Yu’s eyes suddenly sharpened, “For example, the Qi family, who made things difficult for the Ning family in the early years?! Do you hate them? Really have no selfish intentions? That Thirteen Contest, after you became the Hidden Officer, and now that you’ve read through all the archives and secret records, surely you’ve gleaned some clues, which sword immortal said what key words at what time, you know more of the dirty secrets!”

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

Chen Ping’an handed over the sword-nurturing gourd, but Mi Yu’s wine pot remained unmoved. Chen Ping’an said with a helpless expression, “Anyway, I’m not the kind of person who holds grudges, honest to heaven and earth.”

Mi Yu seemed even more listless than Chen Ping’s spirit-injured self, his spirit completely gone. He asked casually, “That girl Guo Zhujiu is still on the city wall, when are you going to tell her to come back?”

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

Mi Yu shook his head, “Scheming, scheming, still scheming. You don’t even spare a little girl, she’s your disciple! Even if your intentions are good, I still find it strange, Chen Ping’an, aren’t you tired, do you really not feel any guilt?”

Chen Ping’an asked back, “Is it enough to only seek to answer to one’s own conscience? Do you think Lie Ji has a clear conscience? A dignified sword immortal, giving up even his life, how much resentment must he have, how great must his clear conscience be?”

Mi Yu was speechless.

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

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

Mi Yu sat in his seat.

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

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

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

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

Xu Ning really added “Hidden Officer” before repeating the question.

Only then did Chen Ping’an smile and say something extremely frank: “I don’t even trust myself, why would I trust you?”

Xu Ning was silent. Luo Zhenyi and Chang Taiqing suddenly raised their heads, both with expressions of anger.

Xuan Can and Cao Gun admired this Hidden Officer from the bottom of their hearts and were also sword cultivators from another region. Thus, they were even more direct than Gu Jianlong and Wang Xinshui, confronting those three sword cultivators. The two young men made no attempt to hide their allegiance.

Chou Miao said, “Speak little in crowds, return home early if there’s nothing to do, do things if there’s something to do. Since we are Hidden Officer lineage sword cultivators, 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 to replace me as Hidden Officer.”

Lin Junbi pretended to be deaf and mute.

Chou Miao was even more oblivious.

In the night, a message-carrying flying sword went to the city wall, and then there was a heartbroken little girl who slowly flew over on her sword, crying and wiping away tears.

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

Then, seeing her master who had already stood up, she immediately burst into a smile.

Chen Ping’an said softly with a smile, “You slightly overdid it.”

Guo Zhujiu put away her sword and stood in front of Chen Ping’an, stepping excitedly in place, her arms swinging, her eyebrows dancing, “Master, let me tell you, I was the only one who believed that Master definitely wouldn’t die. I just didn’t expect Master to be so magically powerful, not only alive and well, but you even fooled me! I could have broken my little head and I still would never have guessed that Master was already in the Summer Palace. Incredible, unbelievably incredible…”
“I’ve said it before, as long as your master is here, it’s not your turn to think about life and death. It will be the same in the future. You must believe in your master.”

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

Guo Zhujiu slung the small bamboo box onto her back and softly asked, “Master, how come even a small bamboo box can become a spirit, growing legs and running to find you? Alright then. When Senior Sister gave me this small bamboo box, it didn’t turn into a spirit. Later, Master, you make another ordinary book box without legs and give it to Senior Sister. This one that grew up will be mine.”

Chen Pingan chuckled and shook his head. “Go argue with Pei Qian yourself. Master won’t favor anyone.”

Chen Pingan ruffled Guo Zhujiu’s head. “Go on and do your work. Don’t delay important matters.”

Guo Zhujiu hopped up the steps, then twisted her body around, jumping backward to stand firm in the main hall, facing away from everyone. After a moment of pause, she finally turned and moved her feet.

Chen Pingan didn’t follow her into the main hall but continued to stroll around the Summer Abode.

Everywhere he walked was a small world of its own.

Chen Pingan pinched out a cyan talisman and with a gentle flick, said, “First Sword Immortal, I won’t let you deliver this small bamboo box for nothing. Any sword immortals who are recently snooping around the Summer Abode, just kill them. Those who are willing to take such risks and aren’t patient enough have no further value for our Sword Qi Great Wall.”

After a moment of pause, Chen Pingan added, “If such a merit is truly delivered to our doorstep, then it can be credited to Mi Yu, the big boss of our Hidden Official lineage, the sword immortal.”

Even though Chen Pingan was speaking within his own small world, it was as flimsy as paper to Chen Qingdu.

Though Chen Qingdu neither agreed nor refused, his meaning was already clear. He had chosen Chen Pingan to be this Hidden Official; Chen Pingan could do as he pleased.

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

Chen Pingan didn’t give an answer either, similarly changing the topic. “How is my senior brother doing?”

Chen Qingdu replied with a “so-so.”

Chen Pingan then put away the talisman, hiding it in his sleeve, and swapped it for another one. He gently pinched it, chanted a mantra, and instantly arrived at the other Winter Abode.

At the Summer Abode, there was a towering ancient tree, its emerald foliage creating a cool autumn breeze for people.

Here, the warding artifact of the Winter Abode was a deer antler Ruyi scepter with poems inscribed on it, shaped like a fish tail and a Ganoderma mushroom.

Chen Pingan walked through the massive residence where he was the only occupant.

Both abodes were actually extremely simple inside, with almost no superfluous decorations.

Chen Pingan planned to familiarize himself with this environment first.

Before leaving this deathly silent residence and returning to the Summer Abode,

Chen Pingan muttered to himself, “I’ve thought it through. I’ll do it.” “Swords, come!”