Near the painting of the Goddess Guanyin in Mural City, Pei Qian found the small shop selling rubbings and copies of the Goddess Heavenly Official paintings. With the loss of all eight portions of blessed fortune, the shop’s business was quite poor, about the same as her own New Year’s money shop back in Riding Dragon Lane.

The shopkeeper was a pretty young woman. Pei Qian had heard from her master that although she wasn’t a cultivator from the Straw Sandals Sect, she and Pang Lanxi were a rare couple blessed by the heavens.

This made Pei Qian somewhat worried. Pang Lanxi was a mountain swordsman with the art of preserving his youth, but the woman, living a mundane life, would only age year after year. Even with some spiritual pills and medicines, there would eventually be a day when her hair turned white. What would she do then? Even if the two of them stayed together for a long time, and Pang Yuanji didn’t mind at all, she would still be secretly sad, wouldn’t she? Pei Qian scratched her head, wondering if she should remember this woman’s face and have the old cook make a mask identical to it when she got back? But Pei Qian was also worried that she might be meddling, sigh, it would be great if Master was here.

Precious Canopy, Spirit Fungus, Spring Official, Tall Lamp, and the Goddess who Subdues Calamities, commonly known as the Immortal Staff, these five Goddesses were transformed from colored murals into line drawings before her master’s last visit to this Mural City. After her master went to Ghost Domain Valley, the Goddesses of Inkstone, Rain-bringing, and Deer-riding each chose their respective masters. At that time, Pei Qian and Zhou Mili were both indignant, wondering what was wrong with those three Goddesses, and if their eyesight was failing due to old age? But for some reason, Pei Qian found that her master had a relieved expression at the time, and was smiling quite happily.

Pei Qian came here just to join in the fun. Unless she sold everything she owned, she definitely couldn’t afford the Goddess paintings here.

As for Li Huai, forget about it, he was a complete pauper, without even a single immortal coin on him, just some loose silver, a good-for-nothing who freeloaded off the helmsman.

It didn’t matter. Pei Qian planned to do some small business here. Before coming down the mountain, she had greeted Wei Yushong, the God of Wealth of the Straw Sandals Sect, in advance. Senior Wei agreed that she and Li Huai wouldn’t have to pay any fees to the Straw Sandals Sect if they set up a small peddler’s stall in Mural City.

Saying goodbye to the gentle and lovely woman, Pei Qian took Li Huai to a crowded place, found an open space, and took out a piece of cotton cloth that she had prepared in advance from the bamboo basket, spread it on the ground, placed two yellow paper talismans on the cotton cloth, and then gave Li Huai a look. Li Huai immediately understood and seized the opportunity to make amends. The crisis of being given the cold shoulder by Pei Qian was over, a good thing, a good thing, so he immediately took out that celadon immortal raft from the bamboo basket. There were many places to visit, and Pei Qian frowned on the road, urging Li Huai to keep up, and then Pei Qian used her walking stick to clear the way, standing between a wiry young man and an old man, the latter leading a little girl, the old man was telling the child about the various strange and wonderful stories of this River God Temple. The young man’s arm was bumped by a green bamboo walking stick, but it didn’t hurt, but it ruined his plans. Seeing that the thin girl was always standing between the old man and himself, he smiled and walked in front of the old man. Pei Qian stepped forward and gently bumped the young man’s shoulder.

The young man staggered and moved several steps sideways, baring his teeth, seeing the dark-skinned girl stop and look at him.

The young man grinned, “Fellow practitioner?”

He walked forward slowly, and the girl with the green bamboo stick and the book basket seemed to be walking side by side with him.

Pei Qian said softly, “You already got that bag of silver from a wealthy man, but this old man, judging by his travel-worn appearance and the wear and tear on his boots, the little money he has is likely to be the only travel money left for the grandfather and granddaughter to return home after burning incense and making wishes. How can you bring yourself to do this?”

The young man smiled and said, “Is it any of your business? Can you handle it? Since you’re a fellow practitioner, you should know that if I can set up shop here, I must have a backer. Do you believe that you won’t be able to walk ten miles out of the River God Temple? Do you know why the fish in this Winding River are so big? They’re full from eating people!”

Pei Qian continued, “Judging by the way you touch things, since you can steal in front of people, you shouldn’t be short of silver. In this River God Temple, even if you don’t accumulate virtue and do good deeds, stealing gold and silver jewelry from the rich is one thing, but you can’t be too wicked, stealing money that could potentially harm people’s lives, right?”

The young man said, “Are you determined to ruin my business?”

“Ruin your business? Stealing and sneaking, don’t you know the difference between good and bad?”

Then Pei Qian said, “There are gods three feet above your head, be careful that the Water God Xue really ‘gets angry’.”

The young man scoffed, “We’ll see. I’ll wait for you outside the door, I’d like to see how long you can hide here.”

Pei Qian nodded, “We’ll see.”

Li Huai followed behind Pei Qian in a daze.

Seeing the wiry young man sneer and turn away, Pei Qian reminded him, “When entering Taoist temples and burning incense, try not to take the same path back.”

The young man spat and left quickly.

Li Huai asked, “A thief?”

Pei Qian nodded, “Not very old, but he’s a veteran.”

Li Huai worried, “Looks like that guy is going to block our door? What should we do? Does this River God Temple have any small side doors we can take?”

Pei Qian shook her head, “It’s okay, he wouldn’t dare to cause trouble at the entrance of the temple, he’ll only choose a secluded place on the Winding River to strike. When the time comes, we won’t take the small road along the river, we’ll take the main road.”

On the back hall, there was a black and gold couplet. The contents of the couplet were engraved by Master on bamboo slips, and Pei Qian had seen them when she was drying bamboo slips before.

*Those without sincerity should not come to kowtow, for they will have hidden virtue to protect them; if you do evil, no matter how much incense you burn, you will only provoke the wrath of the Water God.*

Pei Qian clasped her hands together and silently recited the words.

Li Huai stood aside, just finding the contents of the couplet interesting. No wonder Pei Qian warned the young thief to be careful that the Water God would get angry.

After the two left the River God Temple, everything was fine along the way. They arrived at the ferry before nightfall, because according to the rules, the boatmen would not row their boats across the river at night, saying they were afraid of disturbing the River God’s rest. This local custom had been passed down from generation to generation, and later generations just followed suit.

Those seeking medical treatment for serious illnesses, scholars rushing to take exams, and those committing suicide by drowning, the ferrymen would not charge any money. The first type, they couldn’t charge, it would harm their yin virtue. The second type, they were accumulating goodwill. The last type, they didn’t dare to charge.

Pei Qian narrowed her eyes.

Here they come.

Pei Qian caught sight of a group of people in the distance, looking like they were lying in wait. The young man was pointing at her, and seven or eight strong men were striding over, one of them was tall, clenching his fists, making cracking sounds.
He looks quite intimidating.

Pei Qian said to Li Huai, “Stand behind me.”

Li Huai said, “Apologize, offer money, can’t that settle it?”

Pei Qian said, “It won’t settle it. In the martial world, face is everything. Face is worth more than money. It’s not just about empty reputations, but many times it can really be exchanged for money. Besides, it shouldn’t be settled like this. It’s not something that can be solved by just paying off the misfortune.”

Li Huai said, “Then what can I do?”

Pei Qian said, “In case I can’t beat them, just claim to be a scholar from Yongjin Academy. They definitely won’t believe it, but if they hit you, they’ll probably hold back a bit, afraid of killing you.”

Li Huai said, “Then be careful. If you can’t take the pain, switch with me. I know some real fighting skills, and I’m not afraid of our amateurish moves.”

The leading man shoved aside the nimble teenager who was like a cash cow and smiled at the girl, “Little girl, are your fists really that good?”

Skeletal Beach, Shimmering River, immortals and extraordinary people have historically travelled here.

But these two carrying bamboo boxes, probably not.

Pei Qian shook her head and said, “Not good at all.”

She immediately added, “But if you want to spar, I’ll take your punches.”

Everyone around burst into laughter.

This thin little girl seems to be a bit slow in the head.

The man strode forward, his boots kicking up mud, dust flying, aiming at the girl’s face. This girl isn’t much to look at anyway, so he wouldn’t bother with chivalry.

Pei Qian stood still, taking the punch.

The man, with one hand behind his back, nodded and said, “I’m not someone who doesn’t follow the rules of the martial world. Today, I’ll give you a small lesson. Don’t meddle in other people’s business in the future.”

The man waved his hand and ordered everyone to leave.

Those who had just started cheering were confused by their boss’s actions, especially the teenager who was disappointed that he didn’t see the slightly dark girl fall to the ground. He didn’t know what his boss was up to today.

After walking dozens of steps, the teenager mustered his courage and asked, “Boss?”

The man was covered in sweat, his left hand clutching his right wrist, trembling all over, his face full of pain, and he said in a trembling voice, “We ran into a tough, tough nail… my hand… my hand is broken, you jinx, just wait for me…”

The teenager was secretly cursing.

In the blink of an eye, the girl carrying the bamboo box had blocked their path, using her walking stick as a support, and said in a deep voice to the man who had immediately put his hands behind his back, “Every family has its rules, every sect has its regulations, snakes have their ways, and rats have their paths. Your small gang has its own way of doing things. I don’t know what the customs are like here at Skeletal Beach, but stealing is not allowed in temples and Taoist temples. That’s how it’s always been in my hometown, otherwise, you’ll only have half a life compared to others. First, it was your men who stole money from the River God Shrine, money that could cost people their lives. Then, it was your punch. If it were an ordinary woman, that punch would not only seriously injure her, but also ruin her face. Your punch is even more against the rules. Even when martial artists spar with each other, the elders never use such cruel methods on the younger generation with the first punch. It’s not just about the lack of skill, but the cruelty in your heart.”

Pei Qian nodded to herself, “Alright, I’ve figured out the reasoning, I can now throw a punch with peace of mind.”

A dark-skinned, sturdy old boatman, who had somehow appeared nearby, laughed, “Little girl, take it easy with your punches, be careful of killing someone. There’s no law to restrain you here at Skeletal Beach, but after all, it’s near the River God Shrine, under the watchful eyes of River God Xue, causing a death is still not good.”

Pei Qian turned to look at the old man, frowning and asked, “Favoring the weak? Without regard for reason?”

The old boatman waved his hand and said, “I’m not stopping you from throwing a punch, just reminding you to punch lightly.”

Pei Qian asked, “That sounds right. But why don’t you first manage them, and now you want to manage me?”

The old boatman grinned and said, “Yo, you sound resentful, what, you want to spar with this old boatman? What can a boatman manage? Little girl, I’m old, I can’t take one or two of your punches.”

Pei Qian said to the man with the broken wrist, “Get lost, and if I ever find out that you haven’t changed your evil ways, I’ll return a punch to you.”

A group of people ran away frantically.

Because the two parties behind them, the old boatman and the young girl, seemed like gods were about to fight.

The old boatman was about to leave.

Pei Qian said to herself, “Master wouldn’t be wrong, absolutely not! It’s Xue Yuansheng who made my master misjudge people!”

Pei Qian took off her book box and threw the walking stick to Li Huai, shouting angrily, “River God Xue Yuansheng, stop right there!”

When she was young, she wandered the streets almost every day, and only when she was so hungry that she couldn’t walk anymore would she find a place to huddle and not move. So she had personally seen many, many “small things”: people being scammed out of their life-saving money, fake medicine being sold that killed those who could have lived, children who had wandered off in the capital being abducted, given months of luxury, and then lured into gambling, so that even if their parents found them and brought them home, the child would run away again and return to their old ways, even if they couldn’t find the “master” who had led them in the first place, they would run the business themselves; women being tricked into brothels, and then secretly sold to other places, or women who felt they had no way back would collude to scam small households out of their lifetime savings for wedding money, steal the money and run away, and if they were stopped, they would try to die or simply collude inside and out, doing it once and for all…

But the capital of Nanyuan was really lacking in mountain and water deities back then, and the government offices were difficult to manage, so it was fine. But in the Shimmering River area, what can’t River God Xue Yuansheng see? What can’t he manage?!

The old boatman was slightly shaken, not expecting to be seen through by a pure martial artist at such a young age. The old man stopped, turned to look at the girl, and said with a smile, “Little girl, your martial arts must be extraordinary, you must be from an immortal family or a wealthy clan, but you don’t understand the matters of the lower levels of the martial world, especially the many rules about the netherworld and karma. Matters of the world are complex, not black and white.”

Pei Qian remained silent, only slowly rolling up her sleeves.

Li Huai suddenly said, “River God Xue, she may not understand everything, but she definitely understands more than you think. Please, River God, speak nicely and reason slowly.”

Li Huai’s smile brightened, “Anyway, River God Xue is a river god who doesn’t like to meddle in other people’s business, so he must be very free.”
The old ferryman showed not a trace of anger. However, Xue Yuansheng wasn’t fond of discussing those profound and intricate matters with the two youngsters, so he chuckled, “Meddling comes with a price. Those fellows should be more restrained in the future. The lass has reason and fist, so it’s only right you get what’s due. And you think this Shifting River God is unfair… very well, I’ll stand still and take a punch from you. After you’ve struck me, I’ll see if the lass still has the will to reason with me. If you do, I’ll explain everything to you in detail, free of charge. I’ll ferry you across the Shifting River, and we can chat at length, taking our time.”

Pei Qian’s expression was cold, her eyes as still and deep as an abyss, fixed on the Shifting River God. “Xue Yuansheng, are you thinking, ‘I’ve seen it all, so this is just how it is,’ is that it?!”

Li Huai gently said to Pei Qian, “Pei Qian, don’t go to extremes. Chen Ping’an wouldn’t do this.”

Pei Qian erupted in fury for no apparent reason, her fist intent cascading like a waterfall, causing the nearby Shifting River to be stirred, crashing against the banks, the ferries in the distance bobbing wildly.

Xue Yuansheng had to immediately circulate his divine powers to suppress the surrounding river water. The numerous ghosts and monsters within the Shifting River were as if under a spell, instantly diving to the depths.

She gritted her teeth and said, “So there’s only one Shifu in the whole world, and he’s *my* Shifu!”

Pei Qian slightly bent over, stepping firmly on the ground, initiating the stance of a deity striking a drum.

Her fist form opened wide.

The very landscape changed.

Even the several martial temples at the uppermost reaches of the Shifting River almost simultaneously trembled with their golden effigies.

Xue Yuansheng was stunned.

Was she about to break through? To gain the world’s martial fortune with the strongest word?!

Pei Qian said indifferently to the old ferryman, “This fist of mine, ten fists or a hundred fists, are all the same. If reason lies only in the fist, then receive this!”

Li Huai felt that something was off with Pei Qian. He wanted to stop her from throwing the punch, but his steps were heavy, only able to lift his foot but unable to take a single step forward.

Li Huai shouted with all his might, “Pei Qian, if you throw this punch like that, even if we can’t be friends anymore, I’ll definitely tell Chen Ping’an!”

Pei Qian murmured, choking with sobs, “My Shifu might never come home again.”

The dispirited girl’s surging fist intent continued to grow.

The seven-colored cloud sea above the Shifting River God’s shrine began to gather and disperse erratically.

Xue Yuansheng smiled bitterly. Well, now they were in a pickle. Why did it feel like the lass’s punch was going to shatter his golden body? It made no sense at all unless…

Unless this lass broke through, martial fortune descended upon her, and then in an instant, she… broke through another realm! Just like that, in one fell swoop, she broke through two realms and stepped into the Distant Wanderer realm?

Xue Yuansheng thought his river god brain must be filled with water.

But the celestial phenomenon before him had truly never occurred in the history of Bone Beach and Shifting River.

Li Huai said sadly, “Whether Chen Ping’an comes home or not, Pei Qian is already like this. Chen Ping’an shouldn’t have taken you as his first disciple. The person he misjudged the most in his life is Pei Qian, not Xue Yuansheng.”

Pei Qian suddenly turned her head and cursed, “Stop talking utter nonsense!”

Li Huai, covered in sweat, reached behind his butt and nodded, saying, “Then I’ll hold it in for a bit. You smell it and see if it’s fragrant. Chen Ping’an always says it’s very fragrant.”

Pei Qian inexplicably remembered something from their distant wanderings, on a small path in a mountain valley.

She made a fist, pretending to hold something, asking Zhu Lian and Shi Rou if they wanted to know what she was hiding in her hand. Zhu Lian told her to scram, Shi Rou rolled her eyes, and then she… Shifu gave her a flick on the forehead.

Before that, she asked questions, and Shifu answered them.

“Shifu, isn’t that called a gentleman not taking what others like?”

“Ah, I’m still far from being a true gentleman.”

“How far? As far as from Lion Garden to here?”

“Probably further than from Lotus Root Blessed Land to Lion Garden.”

“That far?!”

“Indeed.”

“Shifu, but no matter how far, it’s still reachable, right?”

“That’s right. As long as you don’t take the wrong path.”

At that moment, Pei Qian suddenly, without warning, relaxed her fist form, gathered her fist intent, silently picked up her book satchel, walked to Li Huai’s side, and took the walking stick that Shifu had personally gifted from his hand.

Xue Yuansheng breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, on Linen Garment Mountain of the Hemp Robe Sect, several people also breathed a sigh of relief.

Pei Qian weakly apologized to the River God Xue, then walked toward the ferry.

Li Huai understood Pei Qian’s general mood, his heart heavy. He followed beside Pei Qian, unable to comfort her. He himself was feeling miserable.

Pei Qian’s strangeness today was somewhat related to this Xue River God disguised as an old ferryman, but not really. What was truly making Pei Qian breathless was likely her past and her Shifu’s long absence on his distant wanderings, possibly never returning home, according to Pei Qian’s words. Just thinking about it made Li Huai even more listless and dispirited than Pei Qian.

Pei Qian said, “Li Huai, I didn’t mean to.”

Li Huai forced a smile, blurting out, “Haha, I’m not one to hold grudges.”

Pei Qian glanced askance at Li Huai.

The old ferryman followed the two, laughing, “I’ll take you across the river. Old rules, must pay.”

Pei Qian hummed in agreement, “I know, eight coins of silver.”

Only at this moment did Li Huai truly admire this River God Xue Yuansheng, whose heart was as wide as the Shifting River, holding no grudges at all.

Xue Yuansheng began to pole the boat across the river. Li Huai sat in the middle of the ferry, and Pei Qian sat at the stern, facing away from them. Li Huai said to River God Lord Xue, “Please trouble River God Xue to tell us about the rules of mountain and water deities. Tell us what you can, and what you can’t, we’ll pretend we didn’t hear.”

Xue Yuansheng nodded, generally speaking about the lives of the clever young man and the group of strong young men, why they were in their current situation, and what would likely happen in the future. Even the wealthy old man who had his silver stolen and the grandfather and grandson who were nearly robbed were explained in detail, interspersed with some of the principles of mountain and water deities, not considered any taboos. Besides, this Shifting River was beyond the concern of heaven and earth, and even the immortals didn’t care. Xue Yuansheng truly didn’t care about those dogmatic golden rules.

Pei Qian didn’t turn her head, saying, “I wrongly blamed River God Xue.”
Xue Yuansheng, poling the boat with a bamboo staff, shook his head and said, “Wrongly accused? I wouldn’t say so. Many things, like the hardships of the common folk, I’ll take care of the really outrageous ones, but the rest, I’m too lazy to bother with. It’s not really because I’m afraid of karmic entanglement or the reduction of merit. Little girl, you’re actually right, it’s just that seeing too much has made this Shaking River God feel weary. Besides, I’ve done more harm than good with good intentions, it’s not just one or two cases, I really am afraid.”

Pei Qian muttered, “My master said that we must never be harsh on good people, so I was wrong after all. Practicing fists, practicing fists, what a load of bull, practicing a hammer’s worth of fists.”

Li Huai scratched his head.

Because of the eight coins of silver, and in connection with the little girl’s “crazy talk,” Xue Yuansheng suddenly remembered someone, “Little girl, could it be that your master traveled here a few years ago, a young man wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a wine gourd?”

Pei Qian finally turned her head, her eyes red, but at this moment she had a smile on her face, nodding vigorously, “Yes!”

Xue Yuansheng laughed and said, “Then your master is much more reasonable than you, gentle and amiable, more like a scholar.”

The man is truly not bad, it’s just that his brain is a little abnormal. Such a huge blessing from the Goddess Scroll, he wouldn’t even take it for free. The Goddess Riding the Deer was quite angered on his ferry back then.

No wonder they are master and disciple.

It’s just that Xue Yuansheng really didn’t dare to say such words that easily invite a fist.

Li Huai was a little frightened.

Unexpectedly, Pei Qian’s eyebrows instantly danced with joy, her eyes sparkling, “Of course, my master is the most reasonable scholar! He’s also a swordsman.”

See, Master still didn’t misjudge the River God Xue Yuansheng.

It’s all my fault.

When Pei Qian turned around, Li Huai glanced at the things in Pei Qian’s hands, feeling somewhat helpless. He was still worried that she was stuck in a rut, but it turned out that she had already taken out a set of tools, using a steelyard to weigh the silver. Using small scissors to cut out eight coins of silver, afraid of cutting too much and wasting money. The small wooden box on her knee, though small, was complete, with all sorts of things, besides the small scissors, the small steelyard with a bamboo handle, there was more than one small weight, different sizes, one of which she personally engraved “Never Lose Money,” and another engraved “Only Allowed to Make Money”…

Xue Yuansheng also found it interesting, the little girl’s appearance was so different from when she was throwing punches earlier, he couldn’t help but chuckled and said, “Forget it, since you are all scholars, I won’t charge you.”

Pei Qian had just cut out eight coins of silver, pointed her finger at Li Huai, and said, “I’m not a scholar, he is. Then let’s give River God Xue four coins of silver.”

Then Pei Qian said to Li Huai, “I’m paying for you, you have to be grateful. About today’s events?”

Li Huai wanted to say that he didn’t have immortal money, and he could afford the eight coins of silver, but Pei Qian stared at Li Huai, directly breaking the eight coins of silver in half with her hands. Li Huai immediately nodded and said, “Today is a fine day, the Shaking River is calm and tranquil.”

Then Li Huai suddenly felt that something was wrong, I am a scholar, I am the one who doesn’t need to pay to cross the river.

But he didn’t dare to argue with Pei Qian. Li Huai was more afraid of Pei Qian than he was of Li Bao Ping when he was a child, after all, Li Bao Ping never held grudges, let alone kept accounts, she would just beat him up and be done with it.

Xue Yuansheng shook his head with a smile, this scholar, his brain is normal, just not very bright.

After paying the fare to cross the river.

Li Huai thanked the old boatman.

Pei Qian didn’t say anything, just bowed to say goodbye.

Xue Yuansheng waved his hand, poling the boat back to the other shore, feeling a mix of emotions, he didn’t know whether to say he had consulted the almanac or not for today’s outing.

Li Huai only felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

Pei Qian suddenly asked, “What did you say earlier, about fragrance?”

Li Huai’s knees buckled, he felt that the heavens and the earth were vast, and no one could save him.

Pei Qian suddenly turned her head to look.

Li Huai followed Pei Qian’s gaze, blinked his eyes, and asked in disbelief, “Sister?!”

Li Liu smiled, her eyes narrowed, and nodded lightly.

Li Huai trotted over, pinched Li Liu’s cheeks with both hands, and gently pulled, “Sister, are you fake? Where did you pop out from?”

Li Liu smiled sweetly.

The fox spirit named Wei Taizhen felt like she was struck by lightning, as if she had suffered a heavenly tribulation.

This is the younger brother that her master mentions from time to time? Good looks, good temper, good at studying, good talent, good heart… Anyway, everything is good about Li Huai?

Pei Qian came to Li Huai’s side and said happily, “Sister Li Liu.”

Li Huai quickly withdrew his hands.

Li Liu nodded to Pei Qian with a smile, “With you by his side, I’m more at ease.”

Li Huai quickly pulled his sister aside, lowered his voice, and said helplessly, “Sister, why did you come? Two young women, daring to travel so far, leaving Lion Peak to come to this Skeleton Beach so far away? I’m really not saying you, you’re not good-looking, but your friend is good-looking, let me tell you, there are countless local thugs and ruffians in this Skeleton Beach, it doesn’t matter, I just got acquainted with the Shaking River God, if anything happens, just report my… never mind, River God Xue doesn’t even know my name, you should report Pei Qian’s name, it’ll be more useful, Pei Qian almost threw a punch earlier, good lord, as expected of the famous Shaking River God, steady as a mountain, smiling, not afraid at all, if it were me facing Pei Qian, I would have been on the ground!”

Li Liu said softly, “I won’t accompany you on your travels, I still have some things to take care of.”

Li Huai said angrily, “I don’t want you to accompany me on my wanderings either, what’s it like to have an older sister by my side, are you looking for a brother-in-law everywhere along the way?”

Li Liu suddenly asked, “Do you have a red thread in your book box?”

Li Huai was stunned, “Why? Does sister have someone she likes, and is so short of a dowry? That future brother-in-law must be mentally ill, thinking that he can’t get her beauty, so he’s come to get her money? Mom wouldn’t be so angry that she’d pinch your arm off, sister, this matter is not a child’s play, that brother-in-law, whether he’s poor or rich, it’s not a big deal, but if his character is problematic, I won’t agree anyway, even if Mom agrees, I won’t agree…”

Li Liu was helpless.

Li Huai laughed and said, “Sister, what are you thinking, I’m just teasing you.”

Li Liu accompanied her younger brother Li Huai for a few more miles, then returned the way she came, but she didn’t accept the Immortal Riding Raft brush washer, she only took away the red thread, and then she gave her younger brother something, which Li Huai casually threw into the bamboo box.
Li Liu inquired, “Why aren’t you wearing those clothes and shoes that Old Man Yang gave you?”

Li Huai rolled his eyes, “Those things were bought with the old man’s hard-earned savings. I’m wandering about in the wilderness; wouldn’t they be ruined after wearing them for a few days? I’d feel bad for wasting his savings. Who knows, when he’s out buying things, his hands might tremble as he pulls out the silver, haha! Just thinking about that scene makes me want to laugh, so forget it. I’ll wear them on the way back, when I’m almost home.”

Li Liu smiled, “You should still wear them.”

Li Huai impatiently said, “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

Li Liu didn’t press her younger brother further.

Finally, Li Liu left behind the Golden Core Realm fox spirit, Wei Taizhen. Her home was actually not far from here, on Treasure Mirror Mountain within the Ghost Domain Valley.

Thus, poor Li Huai was on the verge of collapse. That Wei girl, supposedly a direct disciple of the Lion Peak Ancestral Hall, was staring intently at him, eyes wide. What are you looking at? I know I’m not handsome, okay? Just because you’re a registered immortal master from the mountain doesn’t mean you can stare! At least give some face to my sister’s immortal friend, alright?

Pei Qian, however, didn’t care. Regardless of the other’s background, since she was a genuine immortal from the mountain, having someone to rely on was good. Otherwise, she, a sixth-realm martial artist, wouldn’t be enough. If anything happened, Wei Taizhen could at least help Li Huai escape.

After that, the three of them continued their journey in silence.

Li Huai was unwilling to speak.

Wei Taizhen didn’t dare to speak.

Pei Qian was too lazy to speak, but, holding her mountain-trekking staff, she suddenly asked, “Li Huai, my master will definitely come back, right?”

Li Huai gave a confirming “Mmm,” “Of course! Chen Ping’an treats you so well; we’ve all seen it.”

Pei Qian’s face lit up, and she said, “Your sister treats you very well too.”

Li Huai nodded.

Pei Qian lightly swung her mountain-trekking staff, humming a local folk tune: “Stinky tofu, so fragrant! Stinky tofu so delicious, but I can’t afford it! In the mountains are demons and monsters, in the lakes and rivers are water ghosts. Scared, I turn my head, and realize I’ve been away from home for so many years. Eating stinky tofu! Which little girl carries the scent of orchids? Why is her face stained with tears? Don’t you think it’s pitiful? Not being able to eat stinky tofu is so sad…”

Pei Qian suddenly realized something and became furious. Unexpectedly, Li Huai had already tiptoed away from Pei Qian. By the time Pei Qian came to her senses, he was already running away with his tail between his legs, sprinting ahead.

Pei Qian looked around, and then quickly caught up to Li Huai, kicking him to the ground. Li Huai immediately got up, not even turning his head, and continued to run.

Wei Taizhen wiped the sweat from her forehead.

The people from her master’s hometown are all so terrifying.