(There’s another chapter coming tonight.)

The Plum Blossom Garden, among the four private residences of Upside-Down Mountain, is the most labyrinthine in its corridors and walkways. Of course, its greatest fame comes from the plum trees. However, the plum trees planted within the Plum Blossom Garden all grow naturally, without any attempt to force unnatural shapes or sickly forms. They are sparsely or densely arranged as nature dictates, crooked or straight as they please. Even so, the garden’s reputation has spread far and wide, naturally because the Plum Blossom Garden has, at great expense, purchased many immortal plum trees from the Eight Continents ferry and transplanted them into the garden.

The best spot to appreciate the scenery in the Plum Blossom Garden is the pavilion with the plaque that reads “Does Not Contend for Spring.”

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress knelt upon a bamboo mat made of Azure God Mountain green bamboo. Her hands were folded on her knees, her countenance charming and her face bearing a smile.

She looked at the three sword cultivators slowly ascending the pavilion steps and said with a smile, “Since the matter has been exposed, I am willing to accept punishment. I only beseech Sword Immortal Lu Zhi to make the strike swift.”

Chen Ping’an sat cross-legged on the ground, facing the Rouge-Cheeked Mistress. He asked, “No attempt at redemption? It’s not easy for plant and tree spirits above the Fifth Tier to cultivate.”

Throughout the history of Treasure Bottle Continent, there hasn’t yet been a single plant or tree spirit reaching the Upper Five Tiers.

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress shook her head. “Even that frontier could be found and eliminated. I am destined not to live, so I won’t feign ignorance.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “The true form of that Ascension Stage great demon, could it be buried in the Plum Blossom Garden? Otherwise, how would you know that the frontier has fallen?”

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress smiled without answering. She extended a palm toward the tall, slender woman. “Someone once said that among the women of Sword Qi Great Wall, Sword Immortal Lu Zhi has the most exquisite appearance, truly captivating and devastatingly beautiful. Person and sword are perfectly matched. Seeing you today, the reputation is well-deserved.”

Lu Zhi frowned slightly.

Sword Immortal Sorrow-Sprout sighed. Because he knew who had said those words.

Chen Ping’an said, “Then I’ll only ask you one thing. You were born in the Vast Expanse, so why do you yearn for the Savage Wilderness so much?”

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress laughed. “The rules established by Sage of Rites were good, but unfortunately, the cultivators of later generations haven’t done so well. After ascending the mountains and cultivating the Way, there are countless immortals, but how many of them treat plant and tree spirits like us, who were fortunate enough to take human form, as people? I myself have suffered from it. After finally escaping the sea of suffering, I look around, and for thousands of years, the mortal realm has been no exception. Therefore, resentment has built up in my heart for a long time.”

She turned her head to glance at a large gate near the Plum Blossom Garden. After retracting her gaze, she smiled and said, “It’s not really that I like the Savage Wilderness so much. A bunch of uncivilized beasts ruling the roost? How could that remote realm be better than the Vast Expanse? I just want to see with my own eyes the Vast Expanse, where everyone above and below the mountains dies, and the cultivators will be the first to perish. Only the plants and trees remain, withering and flourishing year after year, endlessly. Is that reason enough? Hidden Officer!”

Chen Ping’an said, “If you say it’s enough, then it’s enough.”

Sword Immortal Sorrow-Sprout thought that this trip to the Plum Blossom Garden was unexpectedly smooth.

Lu Zhi suddenly said, “I’ll use the military merits I’ve accumulated, otherwise they’ll be wasted, to exchange for her life. I’ll take her with me from now on. Hidden Officer, what do you think?”

Sorrow-Sprout was somewhat surprised.

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress was even more astonished.

She had truly resolved to die just now.

She had calculated everything in advance, either death or a fate worse than death. Since that was the case, she wasn’t in the worst situation. At least there was a woman among the sword immortals. Fortunately, it wasn’t just those vile men, so it was better to be straightforward.

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress never expected Lu Zhi to say such a thing.

Lu Zhi said to Rouge-Cheeked Mistress, “From now on, you will follow me to cultivate. You don’t have to be a servant or a slave.”

Then, Lu Zhi looked at Chen Ping’an, wanting to know the answer.

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and nodded. “Okay.”

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress collapsed to the ground, tears welling up in her eyes.

Throughout the Plum Blossom Garden, countless plum blossoms bloomed on tree after tree. This was Rouge-Cheeked Mistress, with her life connected to the entire small world, drawing upon a phenomenon of heaven and earth.

Lu Zhi frowned. “Rouge-Cheeked, I only have one request for you. In the future, if you ever face a life-or-death situation again, and there’s a man in front of you, don’t act like this. Of course, it won’t be easy for others to kill you.”

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress bowed to Lu Zhi. “Rouge-Cheeked thanks Fellow Daoist Lu Zhi!”

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress stood up and walked gracefully, standing beside Lu Zhi.

Even Sorrow-Sprout had to admit that Rouge-Cheeked Mistress was a natural beauty.

And the young Hidden Officer had already squatted down on the ground, rolling up the priceless Azure God Mountain bamboo mat.

It was more authentic than his own Bamboo Sea Grotto-Heaven wine.

Sword Immortal Sorrow-Sprout pretended not to see anything.

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress hesitated for a moment, looking at the young man who was moving the bamboo mat a little with each roll. She couldn’t help but ask Lu Zhi in her mind, “This is?”

Lu Zhi smiled. “Our Hidden Officer is too embarrassed to scavenge the Spring Banner Studio, so the unclaimed Plum Blossom Garden will be unable to escape this calamity.”

Sorrow-Sprout became even more puzzled.

Listening to Sword Immortal Lu Zhi’s tone, it seemed that her impression of this Hidden Officer wasn’t bad now?

Chen Ping’an rolled up the mat, tucked it under his arm, and stood up. “Lu Zhi, let’s make it clear in advance. The Plum Blossom Garden was able to take root in Upside-Down Mountain not only because of Rouge-Cheeked Mistress’s realm, but also because her scheming and tactics happen to be something you’re not good at.”

Lu Zhi glanced at Rouge-Cheeked Mistress. “It doesn’t matter. As long as she doesn’t cherish her life, whether it’s a cultivator or a plant spirit, it’s all a matter of one sword strike.”

Speaking of this, Lu Zhi added, “Chen Ping’an, you’re good at those messy calculations, so keep an eye on her for me in the future.”

Lu Zhi then said to Rouge-Cheeked Mistress, “To be honest, I don’t trust you for now. But I can guarantee that you will regain your freedom after a thousand years. If my Great Dao withers prematurely and I die within a thousand years, then it will be up to Chen Ping’an to deal with you. Rouge-Cheeked, if you think a thousand years is too long, you can bargain with me. I just won’t agree.”

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress smiled charmingly and gave Lu Zhi a graceful bow.

For a sword cultivator at Lu Zhi’s realm, her sword heart was especially clear. Plus, with so many rumors and stories about Lu Zhi, Rouge-Cheeked Mistress was truly willing to believe Lu Zhi.

Sorrow-Sprout gave the Hidden Officer a thumbs up.

Sure enough, it was more appropriate for women to reason with women.

Chen Ping’an put the bamboo mat into his Pocket Dimension, then asked Lu Zhi and Sorrow-Sprout to leave for a moment, saying that he wanted to ask Rouge-Cheeked Mistress some questions.

The two sword immortals left the pavilion.

Rouge-Cheeked Mistress gave a surprised cry and looked around. “Hidden Officer, you’ve been hiding your strength so deeply. It’s only been a few years, and you’re already a sword cultivator? The natal ability of this flying sword is so rare.”
The difference with or without Lu Zhi by one’s side was like night and day.

Chen Ping’an wasn’t surprised in the slightest and asked, “Back then, when Jiang Heng of the Jade Decree Sect came to Upside-Down Mountain, lodging in the Plum Blossom Garden, what did this eldest son of the Jiang clan seek?”

The Drunken Beauty retorted, “Why not directly ask about the Guihua (Osmanthus) Island of Old Dragon City? Is it that you can’t bear to ask, yet must ask, or that you don’t intend to ask because you dare not?”

Chen Ping’an frowned. “There’s no need to inquire about this matter.”

The Drunken Beauty smiled again, “May I ask, Honorable Hidden Official, if you were to go to Guihua Island now, would you address that Gui as ‘Aunt Gui’ or ‘Madam Gui’?”

Chen Ping’an answered a different question, “In the future, you will follow Lu Zhi, and consider things more for her. The heart of a sword immortal is too pure. But without such a sword heart, Lu Zhi would not be who she is today. It’s just that when she arrives in the Great Balance World, things may not always go smoothly for her.”

The Drunken Beauty’s eyes lit up. “I don’t have to stay in the Great Wall of Sword Qi forever?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “You will accompany Lu Zhi to the Southern Soaring Continent.”

The Drunken Beauty smiled gently, “Since I can not only live, but also have no worries for the future, then I will answer everything I’m asked, and speak without reservation, knowing everything. First, about that Jiang Heng, he was truly ambitious but lacked talent, ten thousand miles worse than that borderland. Jiang Heng initially took a fancy to the Fan family’s Guihua Island, but Madam Gui didn’t agree. Then he foolishly fantasized about persuading my Plum Blossom Garden to help the Jade Decree Sect open up a new sea lane, a transfer dock, on the Reed Flower Island where cultivators make a living gathering pearls.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Why not the Rain Dragon Sect?”

The Drunken Beauty glanced sideways. “Is the Hidden Official truly unaware, or just feigning ignorance?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Please speak.”

The Drunken Beauty chuckled. “The Rain Dragon Sect has a female founder who traveled to Tongye Continent in her early years. She was heartbroken by Jiang Shangzhen, and she was knocked down a realm in cultivation. A good immortal seed has just barely reached the Jade Purity Realm after hundreds of years. As Jiang Shangzhen’s son, would Jiang Heng dare to go to the Rain Dragon Sect to court death? However, times are different now. If Jiang Heng were to go to the Rain Dragon Sect now, even if he sincerely sought death, it would be difficult for him to die.”

Chen Ping’an sat on a long chair, rubbing his brow.

As long as Jiang Shangzhen was involved, everything was full of those bewildering accidents.

How many worshippers in the world would eagerly send money to a mountain for expenses?

But the biggest surprise was that Jiang Shangzhen had actually become the Sect Master of the Jade Decree Sect!

Xun Yuan was truly terrifying.

In Chen Ping’an’s eyes, Xun Yuan deserved the most credit for everything Jiang Shangzhen had achieved today.

Xun Yuan’s scheming against him back then still lingered in Chen Ping’an’s mind.

Putting aside personal grudges, in Chen Ping’an’s view, just speaking about being a Sect Master, Xun Yuan was the most formidable.

The Drunken Beauty performed a hand seal, and an old man’s skin appeared in the pavilion, which Chen Ping’an also stored in his spatial treasure.

The questions and answers that followed in the pavilion were straightforward.

Finally, the group left the Plum Blossom Garden.

According to the secrets the Drunken Beauty had previously revealed, the Plum Blossom Garden could indeed run away on its own legs, but where could it run to now, especially since the Drunken Beauty was now following Lu Zhi?

Lu Zhi directly took her to the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Lu Zhi had a private residence south of the city, where the Drunken Beauty would temporarily reside.

Chen Ping’an went to the Spring Pennant Studio with Chou Miao. Mi Yu and the others had gone to the main hall for a meeting. Shao Yunyan arrived at Upside-Down Mountain later than Lu Zhi and had not yet returned.

It wasn’t that Sword Immortal Shao didn’t want to return with Lu Zhi, but his sword flight simply couldn’t keep up with Lu Zhi.

In order to be fast, and not taking a ferry, wanting to travel from Soaring Continent to Upside-Down Mountain by sword flight wasn’t easy.

The twelve ferry stewards who visited the Spring Pennant Studio tonight weren’t all able to take away a jade token, but as long as their relationships weren’t that close, these ship owners, who were accustomed to the dangers of the martial world, wouldn’t easily speak about it if they obtained a jade token. Those who didn’t get one probably wished others would think they had one.

Chen Ping’an didn’t go to the main hall, but found Wei Wenlong in the accounting room.

Chou Miao didn’t want to face a pile of ledgers. In the Summer Retreat Palace, Chou Miao had flipped through books and done calculations a lot. In Cao Gun’s words, once he left the Summer Retreat Palace, he wouldn’t want to see another page of a book in his life.

But Chen Ping’an insisted on pulling Chou Miao down to sit with him.

When Wei Wenlong saw the young Hidden Official and Sword Immortal Chou Miao, he became even more apprehensive.

Wei Wenlong brought some miscellaneous books over. Chen Ping’an picked one up, opened it, and was pleasantly surprised. An expert can tell with one glance. If Wei Wenlong was just putting on an act, Chen Ping’an felt he could eat the book in his hand.

Because this “miscellaneous book” that Wei Wenlong used to pass the time was actually the secret archival documents of the Ministry of Revenue of the old Lu Dynasty of Treasure Bottle Continent. It must have been thanks to the Old Dragon City intercontinental ferry.

Wei Wenlong was a little uneasy, and mustered his courage to explain softly, “Honorable Hidden Official, whenever I have nothing to do and don’t need to do accounting, I read these records of the Ministry of Revenue of the fallen dynasties of various continents. They’re not expensive. They’re bought by the sack. Compared to those rare items, they don’t cost a few snowflake coins. And thanks to my master’s connections, the six ferries of Old Dragon City are very polite, half-selling, half-giving.”

Chen Ping’an patted Wei Wenlong on the shoulder, smiling brightly, “You’ve met an expert!”

Wei Wenlong staggered, more out of fright.

Wei Wenlong’s smile was forced, and he was uneasy in his heart. As expected of the great Sword Immortal Hidden Official, the strength of his hand was terrifying.

Chen Ping’an moved a chair and sat near Wei Wenlong, and began to inquire about the tax situation of the Great Li Dynasty over the years.
Wei Wenlong answered fluently, even mentioning some minor tricks employed by officials of the Ministry of Revenue in past years. However, he also stated that the financial situation of the Great Li Dynasty had become increasingly murky over the past century. Furthermore, for such a vast dynasty, the figures on the ledgers were all for show. The key was to examine the secret, treasured scrolls of landscape and geomantic accounts. Otherwise, there was no point even mentioning the replica White Jade City in the Great Li capital. Just consider the mountain-crossing barges and sword-ships crafted for the Great Li by the Mo family mechanists—how much immortal money did those consume? Wei Wenlong suspected that besides the Mo family, there must be merchants supporting the Great Li’s financial operations behind the scenes, or else everything from immortal money on the mountains to gold, silver, and copper coins below would have collapsed and fallen into ruin long ago.

Wei Wenlong clearly understood that to truly grasp the matter of finance and taxation, it was essential to thoroughly understand the related regulations.

Chen Ping’an mostly posed questions with exceedingly small entry points, allowing Wei Wenlong to elaborate at length.

When the topic turned to money matters, Wei Wenlong became a completely different person.

His reasoning was clear, he was well-versed in laws, and skilled in calculation.

Chen Ping’an listened with rapt attention.

This area of study was truly valuable.

Sword Immortal Chou Miao was seeing this energetic young Hidden Officer for the first time.

Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “Attend to material production, and have no interest in idle currency.”

Wei Wenlong paused, then softly asked, “What is the Way of governing a state?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Benefit both agriculture and commerce, equalize grain prices, and ensure markets are not lacking.”

Wei Wenlong then asked, “What is the guiding principle?”

Chen Ping’an answered, “Currency must flow like water!”

Wei Wenlong grinned, unable to restrain himself, and pressed his hands on the desk, exclaiming excitedly, “Fellow Daoist, truly a fellow Daoist!”

He then became incredibly embarrassed, sheepishly withdrawing his hands and attempting to compose himself, making an effort to appear respectful. He softly said, “Hidden Officer, I apologize for my impudence.”

Chen Ping’an laughed and said, “We are of the same mind, so there is no need for such formality. Just call me Fellow Daoist Chen from now on! Or even Good Brother Chen is fine.”

Chou Miao could not help but ask, “Are you discussing the tenets of the merchant class?”

Chen Ping’an waved his hand, “There is a strong connection, but they must not be confused.”

Wei Wenlong glanced at the Sword Immortal Chou Miao who was sitting blankly like a wooden figure, and nearly rolled his eyes. Just from that one question, he could tell Chou Miao was an utter novice, an amateur to the extreme. *Tch*, and he’s a Sword Immortal?

No wonder he couldn’t become the Hidden Officer of the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Chen Ping’an glanced at the sky outside the window, left a pot of osmanthus wine on the table, and stood up, smiling, “You’re welcome to visit our Summer Abode Palace in the future. If you’re willing to stay for a long time, even better. I’ll have a residence cleared out for you directly. However, that can’t happen until the Eight Continent Ferry Trade is on the right track, otherwise, it will inevitably delay matters. No rush, no rush. Once I return to the Summer Abode Palace, I’ll help you clear out a separate residence for you.”

Wei Wenlong stood up, flustered, “Hidden Officer, that is not appropriate, not appropriate at all.”

Chen Ping’an waved his hand, “It’s settled then.”

Leaving the room, in the late winter, Chen Ping’an habitually rubbed his hands to warm them.

Sword Immortal Chou Miao smiled, “In good spirits?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Extremely so.”

If the opportunity arose, he would definitely lure Wei Wenlong to Fallen Mountain in the future.

He could have Wei Wenlong practice with the Lotus Root Blessed Land.

Sword Immortal Chou Miao looked at the young Hidden Officer who was grinning foolishly and asked with a smile, “Is Wei Wenlong really that capable?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I wouldn’t trade him for a Spring Pennant House, not even for one.”

Chou Miao asked, “What if I added a Plum Blossom Garden?”

Chen Ping’an complained, “Chou Miao, Great Sword Immortal, that’s no fun.”

Chou Miao suddenly said telepathically, “The Hidden Officer lineage has many plans, and they are having an effect, able to delay for another six months. If the Eight Continent Ferry Trade has no major setbacks, it will buy about another year. So it is still one and a half years short.”

There was a reason why Chou Miao was considered the best candidate, or rather, one of the best candidates, for the next Hidden Officer.

Chen Ping’an cursed under his breath.

Chou Miao asked with a smile, “Who are you cursing?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Definitely not the Old Master Sword Immortal.”

Chou Miao smiled slightly, “I advise Hidden Officer, don’t treat me like Great Sword Immortal Mi Yu.”

Chen Ping’an said, “No repeat offenses. Three strikes and you’re out.”

Chou Miao said, “Just now, the way Wei Wenlong looked at me at the end seemed a bit off.”

Chen Ping’an said, “How could that be? Wei Wenlong looked at you with eyes full of admiration, as if he mistook Great Sword Immortal Chou Miao for a peerless beauty.”

Chou Miao asked with a smile, “Hidden Officer, do you want to return to the Summer Abode Palace with a bruised face, or do you want me to cut Wei Wenlong half to death?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Three strikes and you’re out.”

Before becoming the new Hidden Officer.

At the thatched hut, Chen Ping’an had a conversation with the Old Master Sword Immortal.

“Your role as Hidden Officer is only to buy another three years for the Great Wall of Sword Qi.”

“Only?”

“Or do you want to delay for thirty years? If you think you can do it, agree now, and I’ll help you propose marriage to the Ning family and the Yao family.”

“Okay, no problem.”

“Get out.”

After bidding farewell to Sister Baoping at the Mountain Cliff Academy, Pei Qian and Cui Dongshan left the capital of Great Sui.

Traveling across mountains and rivers, they were about to reach the border of the former tributary state of Great Sui, the Yellow Court Kingdom. In the words of the Great White Goose, “Leisurely strolling, following the Great Dao.”

Along the way, Pei Qian, carrying a mountain-walking staff and a small bamboo box, apart from transcribing scriptures every day without fail, was practicing her Mad Demon Sword Style against Cui Dongshan, and had never once been defeated.

Otherwise, she would stare blankly at a wisp of golden thread – the strands of pure sword intent given to Pei Qian by Zhou Cheng, the female Sword Immortal who swung on the swings at the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Pei Qian had asked the Great White Goose many times if this thing really couldn’t be eaten. In the martial arts novels that Sister Baoping and Li Huai liked to read, it was said that these treasures gifted by elders could be eaten to increase one’s inner strength.

Cui Dongshan said that it really couldn’t be eaten. If she ate it, she could wait for her stomach to be cut open, and a whole pile of intestines would come out, which she couldn’t even hold in both hands. Was she going to put them in her little box? How creepy was that?

Today, the two of them were by the river. Cui Dongshan was fishing, and Pei Qian was squatting beside him, transcribing scriptures, using the small book box as a desk.

It was a small green bamboo book box made by Cui Dongshan himself, which Pei Qian reluctantly accepted. She was quite displeased, but didn’t directly say that she thought the color of the small book box was wrong. She only asked Cui Dongshan if he knew what “verdant” meant.
Cui Dongshan feigned ignorance of the constant hints.

While fishing, he droned on about flowery knowledge that Pei Qian only half-listened to.

“In calligraphy, the method of imitating the ancients is like a ghost partaking in a ritual; it absorbs the essence but doesn’t consume the substance. To truly grasp the spirit of the ancients is to cross a threshold.”

“When a child first learns to write, they should focus on a strict framework, with clear and distinct strokes, never striving for the profound. Remember, quantity is not important; uninterrupted practice is.”

“And in the creation of small characters, clarity and fullness are key.”

While copying books, Pei Qian was extremely focused, and during breaks, she didn’t care to listen to the Great White Goose’s ramblings.

“Great White Goose, is your calligraphy even comparable to Master’s? Does Master have so many convoluted theories? Stop showing off, just because I haven’t copied as many books?”

Cui Dongshan turned his head, glanced at the First Disciple who was completely absorbed in copying books and writing characters, and smiled.

Whether his calligraphy was good or not? Whether it was considered refined or not? One only needed to look at how much a small calligraphy piece sold for to know.

It was just a pity he couldn’t say that, otherwise, this First Disciple would likely rush up the mountain immediately and chop down enough bamboo to make seven or eight large chests, demanding that he fill them all with his calligraphy before he could leave.

Besides, not everything written with a brush could be considered a calligraphy piece.

After finishing copying the book, Pei Qian squatted on the ground, leaning against the small bamboo chest, quietly waiting for a fish to bite. She had truly inherited her Master’s skill in stewing fish.

Suddenly, Cui Dongshan asked Pei Qian if she wanted to roam the world alone, slowly making her way back to her hometown, Fallen Mountain.

Of course, Pei Qian didn’t dare. Had the Great White Goose’s brains been addled by the walking stick? What an inappropriate question!

Pei Qian immediately refused, saying that only with Master’s permission could she, the First Disciple, descend the mountain alone, accompanied by her little donkey, to travel the lands.

Cui Dongshan then said that further ahead, the Imperial River of the Yellow Court was Chen Lingjun’s place of origin. And the Cao Clan’s Zhilan Pavilion was practically Nuanshu’s second home. Didn’t she want to go and take a look?

Pei Qian carried the bamboo chest, stood up, and began to stroll around the Great White Goose, one hand gripping the rope of the small bamboo chest, the other clutching the walking stick. “Too much nonsense. Traveling is a small matter, returning home is a big matter. Without me keeping an eye on things, wouldn’t Old Chef’s cooking skills be wasted? Besides, the Candy Shop’s business, if I don’t watch it, Sister Shi Rou might secretly buy rouge and powder, using public funds for personal gain.”

Cui Dongshan laughed: “Shi Rou buying rouge and powder? What for? To put it on her face, scare people to death, and then scare ghosts?”

Pei Qian frowned, “Great White Goose, you’re not allowed to say that about Sister Shi Rou. She carefully hides the rouge and powder she secretly bought, afraid I’ll see it and laugh at her…”

Cui Dongshan chuckled, “Did you laugh at her or not?”

Pei Qian held back her laughter.

Cui Dongshan said, “Master isn’t here anyway.”

Pei Qian burst into laughter, “I was so young then, even smaller, I didn’t know any better, so I almost laughed myself to death, my stomach hurt, I almost knocked holes in the counter.”

Pei Qian quickly added, “But I only laughed, I didn’t say anything rude, not a single word. Honest to goodness!”

Cui Dongshan chuckled: “You were probably too busy laughing to speak, right?”

Pei Qian slapped Cui Dongshan on the head, beaming, “Little Brother understands me best! Look at how clever you are, catch a fish, stew a big pot of it, and after we’re full, we still have to travel together.”

Then, Pei Qian became a little sad, “Sister Shi Rou is quite pitiful, don’t bully her so much in the future, reason with her, learn from Master, talk nicely, Sister Shi Rou isn’t stupid, she’ll listen. Of course, I’m just saying this casually…”

Pei Qian whispered, “Little Brother and Master are both people who think things through carefully before acting, I don’t worry too much about it, I can barely finish copying books.”

Cui Dongshan stared at the water, raised his hand, and rubbed his head, tsking, “When Master was younger than you are now, he dared to leave the Great Sui alone and walk back to his hometown.”

Pei Qian asked in confusion, “It’s normal for a disciple to be inferior to the Master, what’s so strange about that?”

Cui Dongshan said, “A disciple doesn’t have to be inferior to the Master, that’s the teaching of the sages written in black and white.”

Pei Qian pouted, “I only listen to Master.”

Cui Dongshan said helplessly, “I really have something urgent that I need to do, I need to go to the Great Li capital immediately, even taking a ferry is too slow. If I delay any longer, I estimate that it will be difficult to meet with First Disciple again next time, who knows when.”

Pei Qian thought for a moment and nodded, “Alright, if you had just begged me like that earlier, it would have been over with. Go. Me walking back to Fallen Mountain alone is a tiny matter!”

She took out a yellow paper talisman from her sleeve, but didn’t immediately stick it on her forehead, instead, she carefully tucked it back into her sleeve.

She had traveled thousands of miles with Master, so this talisman had also been with her for quite some time.

With it, there was nothing to fear.

Cui Dongshan asked with a smile, “So, I’m really leaving?”

Pei Qian said impatiently, “Why so much nonsense! Do you think my Mad Demon Sword Technique is just for show?”

Cui Dongshan sighed, “Forget it, forget it, I’ll accompany First Disciple a little further. Otherwise, Master will blame me later.”

Pei Qian stood beside the Great White Goose and said, “Go, go, don’t worry about me, I’m not even afraid of so many sword qi from the Sword Qi Great Wall, why would I be afraid of a Yellow Court?”

Cui Dongshan put away the fishing rod.

“I’ll send you off a little, do you see that stone cliff over there, I’ll take you there and that’s it.”

Pei Qian and Cui Dongshan walked along the riverbank, and she said softly, “Great White Goose, can I tell you something from my heart?”

“Sure.”

“Actually, Master worries that I won’t understand things in the future, and I understand that, but Master also worries that I’ll be like him in the future, and I just can’t figure that out, what’s wrong with being like Master?”

“Why don’t you tell Master directly?”

“Master is already worried, if I say that, Master will probably be even more worried, and if Master is more worried, I’ll be even more worried, and if Master, who likes me, this First Disciple, the most, worries more and more, then I’ll be worried even more…”

Cui Dongshan looked at the distant green mountains and smiled, “With a clear heart, laugh at the white clouds for being meddlesome, casually turning into rain to emerge from the mountains.”

Pei Qian frowned, “Are you mocking me in a roundabout way?”

“I’m praising you.”

“Honest to goodness?”
“Heaven and Earth bear witness!”

Finally, Pei Qian stopped, her voice grave. “Little brother, be careful on your journey!”

Cui Dongshan smiled and nodded. “If I hadn’t met Master, how could I have such a wonderful Eldest Sister?”

With a leap, Cui Dongshan ascended into the sky, becoming a wisp of white cloud returning home.

However, Cui Dongshan didn’t depart immediately. He cast an illusion, overlooking the riverside.

He saw Pei Qian standing still for a long time before finally moving. She swung her arms, wanting to take huge strides with each step, but she was too slow. At this pace, it would take a hundred years to reach Chess-Stump Mountain.

Cui Dongshan rubbed his brow, wondering what she was doing.

He watched for ages. Eldest Sister seemed to have finally understood something. She took a deep breath, stomped hard on the ground, and shot forward, a fleeting streak of lightning.

Cui Dongshan was even more worried.

With Eldest Sister’s courage the size of a grain of rice, if she encountered any mountain spirits or eerie apparitions, wouldn’t it be a case of you scaring me, and me scaring you, without hindering each other, ultimately scaring each other to death?

Cui Dongshan surveyed the surroundings, soaring through the air with incredible speed and silence. He went to a larger river, stomped his foot, and directly shocked the river’s spirit from its lair. He grabbed the spirit’s head, twisting its face to look at the petite figure carrying the bamboo box in the distance. Cui Dongshan said calmly, “See her? My Eldest Sister. You will escort her to Red Candle Town, without revealing yourself in any way. Then you can return home. Consider it a meritorious deed. Afterward, you’ll receive a Great Li ‘Peace Token.’ The Great Li Ministry of Rites will send it to you. Just wait at home. But if there’s even the slightest mistake, I’ll shatter your golden statue.”

As he spoke, Cui Dongshan slightly increased the pressure of his fingers. The water god’s golden statue cracked like exploding bamboo, countless fissures appearing instantly. He released his grip. “I always felt you weren’t reliable. Afraid you wouldn’t take it seriously, I’ve shattered half your golden statue first. After it’s done, find the Iron Rune River Water God, Yang Hua, and have her help you repair the statue and retrieve the Peace Token.”

The water god then heard the white-robed youth mutter to himself, “Shattering half the statue eliminates wayward thoughts, but also makes his abilities even weaker. Wouldn’t that make him even less reliable?”

The water god almost completely collapsed his own golden body.

This old immortal, with his heaven-reaching magic and even more heaven-defying words, what exactly did he want?

From beginning to end, this humble god hadn’t said a word or done a single thing.

Cui Dongshan released his five fingers and lightly patted the water god’s head. The crisscrossing cracks in the golden statue instantly closed, restoring it to its former state.

Cui Dongshan dusted off his sleeves and looked at the dazed water god. “Why are you standing there? Is the feeling of having your golden statue shattered and then repaired so good that you want to experience it again?”

The water god swallowed and was about to ride the wind to chase the so-called “Eldest Sister.”

But the white-robed youth slapped him into the river, creating countless splashes. He roared, “Going like that? I told you not to leave any trace!”

Cui Dongshan smacked his forehead. “I should have found a mountain god. My bad. Never mind, go back where you came from.”

Unexpectedly, the water god wasn’t too foolish. He endured the golden statue’s instability and the pain from the kick, kneeling on the water and kowtowing. “This humble god greets the immortal master.”

Cui Dongshan laughed. “Worthy of being General Liu, who dared to hold a halberd and draw a line in the sand, threatening the neighboring mountain god, ‘No one dares to trespass in Liu Gong’s territory!’ when you were just a minor river deity. Rise and speak. Impressive. I believe that even though you’re a water god, you won’t be too bad even if you enter the mountains. But just to be safe, I’ll give you a Water God Crossing Mountains Talisman.”

Cui Dongshan joined two fingers, and a golden talisman appeared out of thin air. He gently tossed it down, and the water god caught it with both hands.

When he looked up again, the white-robed youth had vanished.

This Water God, surnamed Liu, received the “Water God Crossing Mountains Talisman,” which he had never even heard of. He found that by slightly circulating his spiritual energy, it merged with his golden statue.

After cautiously going ashore, he found himself even more at ease than in his own watery domain.

The water god felt like he was dreaming.

He immediately concealed his aura and went to chase after the young girl.

The water god had just breathed a sigh of relief when his heart lake was greatly disturbed, like a raging storm. The water god had to stop to resist it with all his might. It was the voice of the white-robed youth again, “Remember, don’t get within a hundred yards of my Eldest Sister easily, or you’ll still be discovered, even with the talisman. Consider the consequences. At that time, this talisman will either save your life or hasten your death, it’s hard to say.”

The water god immediately bowed and accepted the order.

After that, following the sprinting young girl from afar, the water god had only one feeling.

The girl looked young, but she could really run.

If she was hungry, she would run and take off her small bamboo box, open it, take out some dry food, put the box back on, eat it in a hurry, and continue running.

At first, the water god thought the girl was hiding from something.

But no matter how the water god searched, there were no traces.

However, the water god became increasingly puzzled. This little girl, who wasn’t a Daoist cultivator, how did she become a martial arts master who honed her body to the extreme?

Along the way, the little girl encountered caves that shielded her from the wind and rain, but she didn’t go in. She encountered dilapidated temples, but she didn’t go in. She avoided places with abundant spiritual energy even more.

When she finally ran until she was tired and took a rest, she deliberately chose a place in broad daylight. She used her walking stick to draw a large circle, muttered something, then squinted for a while, took a nap, and quickly got up and continued on her way.

When the little girl leaped onto a high branch and saw the outline of a city in the distance, she frowned, as if she was about to cry.

The water god was just feeling sorry for the little girl.

Then he saw the little girl land on the ground and start walking leisurely, swinging her walking stick wildly, singing about eating stinky tofu, stinky tofu is delicious.

The water god naturally didn’t know.

On a high branch, the white-robed youth stood quietly, looking at Pei Qian with a gentle expression.

Only Cui Dongshan knew why she was acting like that.

When Master wasn’t by her side, or when she wasn’t at Master’s house.

Then all the places she walked alone were like her Lotus Flower Paradise from when she was a child, exactly the same. All the people she met alone would be like the people she met in the streets and alleys of Lotus Flower Paradise, no different.

Cui Dongshan looked around, green mountains and more green mountains.

One person murmured, and the mountains echoed.

“I hope so.”
Cui Dongshan sighed.

Finally willing to leave.

He still had to meet a great figure for that old turtle.

A figure in white soared into the sky, shattering the entire sea of clouds. Muffled thunder rumbled, as if saying farewell.

Pei Qian, who was happily muttering about how the arrogant demons would panic when she walked, was stunned. She quickly turned around, looked up, and waved goodbye enthusiastically.

The Water God discovered that even when the little girl arrived in towns and counties, she never stayed in inns.

At most, she would buy some snacks and put some in her pocket, and more in her small bamboo box.

She would also visit the large and small shrines and temples dedicated to mountains and rivers, and burn incense in Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries.

Apart from that, she hardly spoke to anyone. The only difference was that her pace was much slower than when she traveled through the mountains and rivers, and she didn’t have to run headlong all the time.

The only time she lingered for a long time was when she squatted on a low earthen wall, watching a group of Jianghu heroes riding horses on a distant journey. The little girl seemed a little envious.

But it wasn’t the seemingly majestic Jianghu people, but their steeds.

Near Yujiang in Huangting Country, the little girl took one look and ran away. It was similar near the Cao Clan’s Zhilan House. She glanced suspiciously at the street and ran.

Finally, she arrived at the Red Candle Town territory.

The Water God breathed a sigh of relief, but also found it somewhat funny. With the little girl being so cautious, did she even need him to escort her all the way?

Could it be that he had gotten a rare talisman for free, and could really get that Great Li Amulet?

The Water God couldn’t believe it. Oh well, he would just follow the instructions of that White-Clad Immortal Master, stop here, and return home!

The Water God turned to leave.

Along the way, except for a few occasional encounters with cultivators in the Middle Five Realms, no one knew about the river god’s visit to the land. Even those cultivators who saw him didn’t dare to look closely.

How could a river god dare to break the rules and come ashore so openly? He must be extraordinary!

How strict were the laws of Great Li regarding mountains and rivers these days?

The Water God suddenly turned his head.

He discovered that the little girl had run over and stopped not far away. She slammed her walking stick heavily on the ground, then cupped her fist and smiled at him, then bowed respectfully.

The Water God simply smiled and returned the fist salute after the little girl stood up. He did not return a full bow.

The little girl grinned and said, “My master is the Lord of Fallen Mountain, welcome Water God to visit my home in the future!”

The Water God was stunned for a long time, then nodded.

This little girl, she forgot to introduce herself?

The little girl had already picked up her walking stick, turned and left, skipping and shaking her small bamboo box on her back.