Chen Ping’an walked the length of the Sword Qi Great Wall alone, witnessing that Sword Inquiry firsthand.

Who else could possibly dare to engage the Sword Qi Great Wall in such a manner?

If word of this reached the great and small immortal sects of the Vast Expanse, it would be met with disbelief and ridicule.

Yet this Sword Inquiry from the Wildlands was undeniably real, beginning on a moonless and somber night.

Chen Ping’an first saw faint pinpricks of sword light igniting on the southern battlefield, growing in number, resembling the lotus lanterns he had seen floating down rivers during his earlier travels in the Vast Expanse. These lights converged, countless sparks competing with the sun and moon for brilliance.

Eventually, countless natal swords, each leaving a luminous trail, “slowly” advanced towards the Sword Qi Great Wall, ultimately merging into a dazzling river of stars.

Looking down from atop the wall, it was as if an immortal stood in the heavens, gazing down upon the lights of the mortal world.

If one disregarded the opposing sides and focused solely on the visual spectacle, it was truly magnificent.

As the Grand Inspector, Chen Ping’an was neither required nor able to draw his sword, as he would soon return to the Summer Palace north of the wall.

It wasn’t that Chou Miao and Lin Junbi’s groups were performing poorly, but Chen Ping’an still found it difficult to fully trust them. This was an obsession with both advantages and disadvantages, and Chen Ping’an believed that even if it needed to be changed, now was not the time.

It was like his past stubbornness in seeking external aid, requiring a gradual adaptation.

Standing on the wall near the thatched hut, Chen Ping’an sighed, “This kind of mutual Sword Inquiry is unprecedented and likely unrepeatable.”

The Old Grand Sword Immortal chuckled, “Unrepeatable, most likely true. Unprecedented, not quite. In the early days, human sword cultivators would raise their swords to inquire of the heavens, and swords would fall like a golden rain, even more beautiful than this. Do you know who the Qi Refiners were who protected and supported the human sword cultivators back then? There was the Most Sage Teacher, the Dao Ancestor, the Buddha, and nearly half of the patriarchs of the Hundred Schools of Thought. Each acted without selfish motives, each considered death an honor.”

Chen Ping’an recalled his journey with Cui Dongshan, when the white-robed youth had rambled on about many strange things on their return.

Chen Ping’an softly said, “It is said that there was no concept of the Three Teachings and Hundred Schools back then. Each school of thought was only in its nascent form. Whether it was sword cultivators like us, Qi Refiners, or the dragons of the Four Seas who controlled rain, all were allies fighting side-by-side. Even the Wildlands ceased their conflict with the human race at that time, offering no assistance but also creating no obstacles.”

Chen Qingdu nodded, a rare expression of nostalgia appearing on his face. “I, the Dragon Sovereign, Guanzhao, and other sword cultivators of our generation who have long been forgotten by history, one after another, drew our swords and ascended.”

Chen Ping’an crouched down, reaching out to touch the cool surface of the Sword Qi Great Wall. Looking up at the southern battlefield, he said, “Old Grand Sword Immortal, back then, everyone was struggling to survive. Otherwise, they couldn’t have lived. I am not trying to belittle your heroic deeds, I dare not, nor do I want to. Now, ten thousand years have passed, and I have walked through three continents. I have seen all kinds of situations, so I dare to say that the Vast Expanse is, on the whole, good and stable. Old Grand Sword Immortal, you are like the elders of a large family, seeing the rights and wrongs of the younger generations clearly. In fact, you have been quite tolerant. But I still hope that you will not be disappointed. If even you are utterly disappointed, then the younger generations will have fewer opportunities to recognize and correct their mistakes.”

Chen Qingdu remained silent.

Chen Ping’an hesitated.

Chen Qingdu smiled. “Since you have become the Grand Inspector of the Sword Qi Great Wall, you should have the courage to speak frankly.”

Chen Ping’an pressed his palm against the ground, saying, “I still believe that the world is getting better and better, progressing step by step. I believe it is so. Old Grand Sword Immortal, please don’t feel that these ten thousand years have been nothing but loneliness. The Vast Expanse behind you has been stable for ten thousand years, with smoke rising from cooking fires in the valleys and immortal Qi swirling on the mountains. For the most part, everyone has something to strive for and look forward to, big or small. Even I, who used to think that death held no fear, later became a dragon kiln apprentice and started thinking about earning and saving money, wanting to live well. People’s thoughts are as chaotic as weeds, but they need soil to take root and sprout, right? As long as there is soil, there will be endless possibilities.”

Chen Ping’an looked up, saying, “Old Grand Sword Immortal, do what you need to do. But please, don’t be disappointed, don’t be disheartened, okay?”

The old man crouched down, pressing his hand on the young man’s head, and laughed. “Young people are still young. You haven’t seen enough of the world. Even though you have experienced the sword technique I taught you, you still don’t understand the true sword heart of a sword cultivator.”

The old man withdrew his hand. “Sword cultivators of my age have all endured the deepest despair and dire straits, step by step. Criminals? In the earliest times, who on the earth wasn’t a criminal living on borrowed time? So there is no great disappointment to speak of. Of course, there will be some disappointment, but it is definitely not as complete as you think. In the past ten thousand years, what I have seen more of is a glimmer of hope rising here and a glimmer of hope falling there. From the ashes of hope, a spring grass may grow again next year. Although the Sword Qi Great Wall does not have such a sight, even as I stay on the wall, I seem to smell the fragrance of spring grass from the Vast Expanse every year.”

Chen Ping’an was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh. “I never thought that the Old Grand Sword Immortal would say such words. It’s very… poetic!”

Chen Qingdu smiled. “Let me tell you two more interesting little things, remember not to rush to reveal the secrets.”

Chen Ping’an said solemnly, “Old Grand Sword Immortal, please speak.”

Chen Qingdu changed his mind, shaking his head. “I’ll tell you later.”

Chen Ping’an was about to take his leave.

Chen Qingdu suddenly said, “Willow Tendon Realm, sword cultivator, two natal swords. Peak of the Seventh Realm, pure martial artist. Still not enough.”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Old Grand Sword Immortal, please don’t be so demanding of me. Among my peers, I am already considered quite good. In martial arts, at least I can still see Cao Ci’s back. As a Lower Five Realms Qi Refiner, I was able to win an opportunity for the Old Grand Sword Immortal to draw his sword. Having become the Grand Inspector, I dare not claim merit, but surely I’ve put in the effort, right? Moreover, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this Willow Tendon Realm. Accumulating karma, accumulating luck, and if I’m not careful…”

Chen Qingdu directly dispelled Chen Ping’an’s wishful thinking, shaking his head. “You don’t have the destiny to decipher the mysteries of the ‘Keeping People Realm.’ Don’t even think about leaping into the Upper Five Realms at once.”

Chen Ping’an said bitterly, “Old Grand Sword Immortal, couldn’t you wait until I have reached the Fourth Realm before saying such a thing?”
Chen Qingdu said, “Three spots for Sword Immortals, who will be the last one? Have you decided?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “Difficult. I can’t decide yet.”

Chen Qingdu waved his hand dismissively. “You can’t decide such a trivial matter? What use is the Hidden Official title to you? Go back to the Summer Abode Palace and use that brain of yours. Strive to ascend to the Cave Realm of Qi Refinement and the Distant Wanderer Realm of Martial Artists as soon as possible.”

Chen Ping’an took his leave, but first inquired about something, to which Chen Qingdu agreed.

It was about leaving the city walls to slay demons. Chen Qingdu said it was of no consequence. As long as Sword Cultivators of the Hidden Official lineage were willing and it didn’t interfere with official duties, they were free to do so.

As Chen Ping’an summoned his talisman vessel, he glanced at the thatched hut. His senior brothers were still in seclusion, nursing their injuries. Xiao Xun’s punch had been truly ruthless. The Eldest Sword Immortal had said that Yue Qing and the like would have already died, and even Lu Zhi and Nalan Shaowei would have suffered a direct fall in their realm.

Just as Chen Ping’an’s talisman vessel left the northern city walls, someone landed upon the ferry, riding the wind.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Are you leaving?”

Liu Xianyang nodded. “I reckon I’ll have to depart in the next couple of days. Coastal defenses for the Southern娑婆洲 (Suōpó Zhōu) Continent have long been on the agenda. There’s a mountain of work.”

Chen Ping’an once again brought up the old matter. “The matter of swordplay challenge at Zheng Yang Mountain, you must wait for me. Be careful, above all else.”

Liu Xianyang looked puzzled. “If you hadn’t witnessed my swordsmanship, I wouldn’t mind your concern, but is Zheng Yang Mountain really worth such caution?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “It is. Trust me.”

Liu Xianyang asked, “A mere Li Tuanjing could suppress Zheng Yang Mountain for centuries. Does it warrant such serious consideration from you and me?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Liu Xianyang, the earlier conflict between the Wind and Thunder Garden and Zheng Yang Mountain is worlds apart from our upcoming swordplay challenge. Besides the mountain’s own deeply hidden foundation, there will be a great force at play. Zheng Yang Mountain and the Xu Clan of Qingfeng City are both all but certain candidates for becoming major sects of the Treasure Bottle Continent. Furthermore, Zheng Yang Mountain will seize the majority of the sword dao fortune of the Zhu Ying Dynasty, something even the Dragon Spring Sword Sect cannot do. Even if the Great Li Song Clan emperor holds Ruan Shifu in high esteem, he will never allow the Dragon Spring Sword Sect to dominate alone. Giving the old Central Sacred Mountain region to the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, apart from Ruan Shifu’s own limited number of disciples being a natural constraint, this action by the Great Li Song Clan allows Zheng Yang Mountain to be close to the water, seizing the sword cultivator seedlings of the entire Zhu Ying Dynasty. Once it ascends to sect status, Zheng Yang Mountain will be linked to the Great Li Song Clan’s national destiny. Is this still the same kind of spirited rivalry between Li Tuanjing and the old sword elders of Zheng Yang Mountain?”

Chen Ping’an sighed, shaking his head to himself, then added with emphasis, “I cannot say more, but Zheng Yang Mountain is a crucial part of a major scheme of the Great Li Dynasty, indispensable. When we challenge them, are we truly challenging only Zheng Yang Mountain’s protective formation and that group of old sword cultivators?”

Liu Xianyang stared blankly at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an asked, “What’s wrong?”

Liu Xianyang laughed. “Are you overthinking things? Who said the swordplay challenge has to succeed in one go? Today I poke a sword into their backside, and if things go wrong, I run. Tomorrow I return and stab them in the crotch. Isn’t that still a challenge? Does it have to be as you said, defeating them in one fell swoop, crushing their sword heart and morale? Chen Ping’an, have you become so concerned with face since becoming a mountain person? I remember that from a young age, you and I were not the kind of people to do things just for show, or to engage in losing ventures, right? You don’t know what kind of person I, Liu Xianyang, am? My words might be unreliable, but my actions are usually dependable, right?”

Liu Xianyang’s smile faded. “When you do things, telling yourself to only think of making no mistakes, is that truly just about avoiding mistakes? Wrong. You’re simply doing the best thing without realizing it. Someone like me is half-muddled and half-clever, not striving for perfection. If I can handle myself, I can also deal with opponents. Life is lived whether you’re muddle-headed or meticulous, whether you’re comfortable or distressed. How to live a distressed life comfortably is something you need to learn from me. I’m not saying you’re wrong. You’re much more right than I am, and that’s better. But a person needs to slack off occasionally, to catch their breath. This kind of reasoning isn’t commonly found in books, but I understood it when I hadn’t even read any books. I just never had the chance to tell you.”

Chen Ping’an was rarely stunned, but he remained so for a long while.

Liu Xianyang laughed. “Little Snot isn’t a snot-nosed kid anymore, but your Grandpa Liu is still your Grandpa Liu.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “I understand.”

Liu Xianyang shook his head. “It’s not just understanding, it’s remembering.”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “You say so.”

The two sat facing each other in the talisman vessel.

Life is full of farewells.

One only worries that spring breezes and autumn flowers gather and scatter so easily. One only hopes that spring flowers and autumn moons reuniting won’t be too difficult.

Liu Xianyang was silent for a moment, then blinked. “Did you…”

Chen Ping’an looked puzzled.

Liu Xianyang looked around. Seeing no one was nearby, he extended a finger and touched his own.

Chen Ping’an quickly slapped Liu Xianyang’s hand away, lowering his voice. “Are you courting death? Don’t drag me down with you!”

Liu Xianyang was stunned. “You haven’t even held hands? I haven’t read many books, and I’ve always been honest. Don’t lie to me.”

Chen Ping’an felt as if struck by lightning.

Liu Xianyang looked stricken. “Even worse than me. You’re single in all but name.”

Chen Ping’an laughed. “Find my future sister-in-law first before you talk about this.”

Liu Xianyang shook his head, leaned back, and lay down in the ferry. “Finding a woman who isn’t enamored with my looks is difficult.”

The talisman vessel hovered at the entrance to the Summer Abode Palace.

According to the rules of the Hidden Official lineage, no outsiders are allowed to enter the palace without permission.

The two landed gracefully. Chen Ping’an stowed the talisman vessel into his sleeve. Liu Xianyang did not leave immediately, riding the wind.

Liu Xianyang stood in front of Chen Ping’an, straightening his collar, patting his shoulder, nodding, and saying, “I’m leaving. When I’m not here, you can’t just focus on taking care of others. Remember to take care of yourself.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Be careful too.”

Just as Liu Xianyang was about to turn around, Chen Ping’an tossed out a seal, smiling. “One of a kind. Remember to keep it safe. You might be able to sell it for a fortune in the future.”

Liu Xianyang didn’t even look at it, putting it in his sleeve, and left riding the wind.

Chen Ping’an stood there, not looking away for a long time.

The doors of the Summer Abode Palace were wide open, with no gatekeepers.
Chen Ping’an walked towards the main hall, and Chou Miao asked, “Lord Hidden Official, the layouts that needed to be considered have been thoroughly examined. We just discussed that having three people go to the city wall to wield their swords each time will not delay our plans. Moreover, observing the battlefield from afar is ultimately not as good as personally being in it, which allows us to grasp the details more effectively.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Which three are in the first group?”

Chou Miao stood up, followed by Mi Yu and Dong Bude.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Go ahead, but Sword Immortal Mi doesn’t need to be in a rush. Replace him with Deng Liang. Remember, don’t linger there. After a week, you must rotate people. It will be Sword Immortal Mi, Pang Yuanji, and Lin Junbi’s turn. After that, it’s Song Gaoyuan, Cao Gun, and Xuan Shen. Then Luo Zhenyi, Xu Ning, and Chang Taiqing. Finally, Gu Jianlong, Wang Xinshui, and Guo Zhujiu, possibly with me added.”

Chen Ping’an held no doubts towards Chou Miao and the other three, especially towards Chou Miao, whom both Senior Sword Immortal and Ah Liang greatly admired as a “young” junior.

However, Chen Ping’an still harbored some concerns regarding Luo Zhenyi and the other two, so he placed them after Deng Liang and Song Gaoyuan’s groups. But if he put Luo Zhenyi and the others last, even behind Gu Jianlong’s group, it would be too much. Putting Luo Zhenyi and the others together could also be seen as a dispensable form of compensation.

Therefore, if Luo Zhenyi and the others harbored resentment towards this Hidden Official, it was reasonable. As long as it didn’t hinder the overall situation and they did what they were supposed to, Chen Ping’an wouldn’t mind this discord. In fact, Chen Ping’an held a similar attitude towards this group of “money-picking” sword cultivators, who were most familiar with the customs of the Wild Desolate World, as Chen Sanqiu: admiration and yearning. But when it came to matters of importance, caution was necessary. If Luo Zhenyi and the others resented him for this, Chen Ping’an didn’t care. If he wanted to be a universally praised good person, he shouldn’t have become the Hidden Official.

Chou Miao and the others left the main hall, soaring away on their swords from the Summer Retreat Palace.

The sword cultivators of the Hidden Official lineage were mostly young but precocious, and they all knew that this battle would last a long time, anywhere from three to five years to over a decade. Only the sheer brutality of the war exceeded everyone’s imagination.

With Huang Luan overseeing the battlefield, a torrent of magical artifacts from the demon cultivators, along with the Lotus Hermitage Master serving as the main force of the demon army, led tens of thousands of demon sword cultivators in a challenge of swordsmanship against the Great Wall of Swords.

Moreover, after two battles, millions of demons from the Wild Desolate World, led, driven, and used as labor by those demon cultivators, would leave their homes in the Wild Desolate World, heading towards the Great Wall of Swords in a grand and chaotic wave. It was said that the roads leading to the northern battlefield were lined with piled-up skeletons.

Ants gnawing at an elephant, the Great Demon’s words of sitting and waiting to exploit were now being used against the Great Wall of Swords.

After enduring this challenge of swordsmanship from the Wild Desolate World, the sword cultivators on the city wall would have to engage in close-quarters combat.

Chen Ping’an did not immediately enter the main hall but instead took a stroll in the plaza outside the door.

The Hidden Official lineage had become accustomed to their Hidden Official’s habits, often seeing him walking in circles in the courtyard.

When he thought of something, he would say a few words to the sword cultivators inside the house.

Chen Ping’an recalled a conversation in the main hall earlier, initiated by Chou Miao and Deng Liang.

Chou Miao had a broader vision. After the Hidden Official lineage roughly deduced the next siege warfare, Chou Miao said that what the Wild Desolate World wanted to change was definitely not just the timing and terrain of the Great Wall of Swords.

Deng Liang gave an analogy. He said that when he was a rogue cultivator traveling in the mountains, he passed by a county town and witnessed a gang fight between two Jianghu factions. Nearly a hundred people died, and the winning side not only gained all the territory but also greatly intimidated the neighboring counties. They quickly infiltrated the area. Local officials, Jianghu forces, wealthy merchants, and gentry were all afraid of those desperadoes. Some wanted to spend money to avoid trouble, while others actively submitted. Gradually, the gangs in the surrounding counties lost their momentum, and their territory was slowly eroded.

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything at the time.

Using this to describe the Great Wall of Swords, the Wild Desolate World, and the world of Haoran was not entirely appropriate. However, the inferred result was correct.

Chen Ping’an had asked the Confucian and Buddhist saints stationed on the city wall. What the Wild Desolate World wanted to do was, after breaking through the Great Wall of Swords and Upside-Down Mountain, immediately gain a foothold in Haoran, to immediately transform Haoran’s territory into the Wild Desolate World’s territory, thereby changing the world for both sides and gaining an advantage, or rather, to try their best to win opportunities for the supreme Great Demons, reducing that mysterious and inexplicable Dao suppression. Therefore, the more demon armies that seemed like ants died, or even died in vain, on the Great Wall of Swords, the more useful they would be in the future.

Mi Yu, who was suspiciously acting as a guardian deity at the entrance, suddenly asked, “Lord Hidden Official, have you already become a sword cultivator?”

Chen Ping’an turned his head and asked, “Why do you say that?”

Mi Yu said, “If you think of one in ten thousand chances as ten thousand, it is often the truth.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t give an answer, but just smiled and said, “It’s a pity that Great Sword Immortal Mi didn’t go to my hometown mountain to be an enshrined master.”