Chen Pingan settled into an inn at a bustling location, still needing to use silver to pay the bill. The three of them staying for three days cost a total of two liang and eight qian of silver. The innkeeper skillfully took out a steelyard, using small scissors to cut the silver fragments.

Seeing this instrument, Chen Pingan was inexplicably reminded of the tools used in the Yang family’s shop in his early years. Besides being used to cut silver during transactions, they were also used to weigh certain expensive and rare herbs. Therefore, whenever Chen Pingan saw the shopkeeper willing to make a big show of weighing a certain herb, the child, carrying a large bamboo basket and standing below the tall counter, would tightly purse his lips, clench the ropes on his shoulders with all his might, and his eyes would shine brightly, feeling that half a day’s hard work, the wind, sun, and rain, were all worth it.

The thoughts churned rapidly and couldn’t be contained, because the steelyard in front of him was a weighing instrument. Chen Pingan then thought of the measures of time and weights and measures in the vast world, and naturally remembered the cultivators who crossed the river mentioned by Song Jixin in the Dadu Ancestral Temple. Because the steelyard on the inn’s counter, including the weighing pan, ebony rod, and several small white copper weights, were obviously ordinary objects from the mortal world, Chen Pingan, after a glance, realized that they were not real objects like the books in Itemized City, so he didn’t look or think any further.

Pei Qian herself had a complete set of steelyards, and on two of the weights were engraved “Never Lose Money” and “Only Make Money.” So at this moment, she felt a natural affinity, as if meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land. Pei Qian paid even more attention than Chen Pingan, examining it carefully. She suddenly quietly said to Chen Pingan, “Master, this set of steelyards uses a rhinoceros horn rod. Ordinary families can’t afford it.”

Chen Pingan chuckled in his heart, “It’s probably an item from a wealthy family that has fallen on hard times and ended up in the market. It’s a pity that no matter how precious the material, this object is an illusion, and we can’t take it away.”

Pei Qian nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked, “There’s also a line of small characters on the steelyard rod, ‘Shanyang Dafang, Made by the Imperial Treasury.’ Master, is there any meaning to this?”

Chen Pingan shook his head. “I’m not sure, but since it’s made by the Imperial Treasury, then it must be something from the palace. It’s just that I don’t know which dynasty it’s from.”

Pei Qian asked, “Master, after we settle in at the inn later, can I take a trip to the local chronicles bookstore to check what ‘Shanyang Dafang’ is?”

Chen Pingan couldn’t help but laugh. Learning in this world was so vast and complex, truly an endless sea. But since Pei Qian was willing to explore, Chen Pingan certainly wouldn’t refuse her thirst for knowledge and nodded, “You may.”

After asking the inn for two rooms, Chen Pingan took one by himself. After settling down in the room, he opened the cotton cloth package and spread it on the table. Pei Qian came over to bid farewell to her master and then left the inn alone to run to the Itemized City bookstore to check the origin of the strange inscription “Shanyang Dafang.” Xiao Mili then ran into the room, placed her beloved green bamboo staff on the table. She stood on a long stool beside Chen Pingan, accompanying the kindhearted Mountain Master to look at the treasures that had been found. The little girl was a bit envious and asked if she could play with them. Chen Pingan, who was flipping through the booklet attached by the Bearded Guest, nodded with a smile. Xiao Mili picked things up gently, not interested in the scrolls or paperweights at all. Finally, she began to admire the narcissus basin that she had taken a fancy to at first sight, raising it high with both hands, full of praise. She even rubbed her face against the slightly cool porcelain basin, feeling refreshed.

Chen Pingan turned a page in the booklet and smiled, “If you like it, I’ll give it to you. But let’s make it clear in advance, the small basin is fake and can’t be taken away. You can only play with it for a few days on the ferry. Don’t be sad when the time comes.”

The origin of this porcelain basin was not ordinary. In the booklet given by the Bearded Guest, it was praised as a narcissus cultivation cave, with the inscription “Eight Hundred Water Shores” at the bottom, a bit like the gilded small water tank which was a “relative”. It could be regarded as a natural water mansion, similar to the Water Palace and Dragon Boat that Liu Chongrun of Pearl Hairpin Island secretly salvaged with the help of Zhu Lian in his early years. Unfortunately, the narcissus basin was also some kind of illusion refined by an immortal.

Xiao Mili held the narcissus basin and shook her head vigorously. “I just like looking at it, so I’ll look at it a lot. Even if the small water basin is real, I don’t want it. Otherwise, if I take it to Fallen Phoenix Mountain, I’ll worry about thieves every day, which would delay my mountain patrol.”

Chen Pingan repeatedly flipped through the booklet several times, as there wasn’t much content and he was idle anyway.

According to the many detailed records in the booklet regarding these items, not only the narcissus basin, but also the bundle of dead plum blossom branches, along with the “Shuye” ebony paperweight, the strangely shaped moon scooping flower holder, and the “Dressing Up” scroll, were just one link in the chain of opportunity, serving as a bridge connecting the other two things. The Bearded Guest Zhang San’s Treasure Collection Shop only had one genuine item, the “Cloud Dream Long Pine” ancient bow, which had already been obtained by Chen Pingan. However, its grade was still difficult to determine, and Chen Pingan felt that this bow was a bit hot to handle.

As for the gilded small water tank, which served as the gate to the palace sea, it was transferred to Shao Baojuan by the Azure Ox Daoist, who somehow didn’t break the rules when answering. Subsequently, a real opportunity was created in the Tuigong City, where emperors and monarchs gathered, Shao Baojuan could seek a “canonization” of some kind, allowing the water tank to transform from illusion to reality. The depth of the water in the tank would depend on Shao Baojuan’s ability to obtain a “heavenly decree” from a certain emperor in Tuigong City. The booklet said that this item could complement the “Dragon King Basket.” The Dragon King Basket suppressed all kinds of dragons in the world, while the gate to the palace sea could use dragon energy as bait to raise all kinds of aquatic creatures in the tank. It was a so-called “half-water” method on the mountain, capturing and raising, seamlessly.

Chen Pingan smiled, “When we get to Dumber Lake in Northern Ju Lu Continent, we can stay there for a few more days. Will you be happy?”

Xiao Mili smiled so wide that her mouth couldn’t close, but she said, “So-so, as happy as a bowl.”

She put the narcissus basin on the table, lay on the table, and added, “When I return to Fallen Phoenix Mountain, it will be as happy as a table.”

Chen Pingan joked, “My Senior Brother Zuo has a bad temper, especially towards strangers, and he’s hard to talk to. Even towards me, his little junior brother, Senior Brother Zuo never smiles, so he’s very impressed with Xiao Mili.”

Xiao Mili rested her chin on her arm and asked softly, “Kind Mountain Master, do you miss the Mountain Master’s wife?”

Chen Pingan couldn’t help but smile and nodded, “Of course I miss her.”

Xiao Mili’s eyebrows curved as she said, “I don’t think so.”
Chen Ping’an put down the booklet, picked up the ebony paperweight, and played with it in his hand, as if joking, “You have to make yourself not want to think about it, then you won’t think about it. Do you think you want to or not?”

Xiao Mi Li frowned and cleverly replied, “Whatever the Mountain Lord says, goes.”

Having read the booklet, Chen Ping’an now essentially inherited Hirsute Rogue’s Bao Fu Zhai. He could set up a stall and welcome guests on the ferry.

Standing up, he put down the ebony paperweight, plucked a Lamp-Lighting Talisman, suspending it in the air to burn slowly. Then he walked to the window. Previously, within the book he had handed out, there was a hidden talisman. Hirsute Rogue knew this when he received the book, but he still helped conceal it and did not return it to Chen Ping’an. This implied that Chen Ping’an’s actions did not violate the Night Ferry’s rules. Once Hirsute Rogue rode his donkey out of the city, the talisman within the book vanished without a trace.

Without encountering obstacles, one would not know the boundaries of the rules.

After boarding the Night Ferry this time, Chen Ping’an still followed local customs and generally acted according to the rules. However, some minor matters still needed to be tested. It was similar to fishing, requiring baiting the hook beforehand and understanding the depth of the water. Moreover, catching big fish required different skills than catching small fish. Initially, Chen Ping’an’s goal was simple: to rescue all the cultivators from the North Entire Reed Continent ferry within a month, leave the Night Ferry, and return to the Great Landscape together. However, on this Ferry City, Shao Baojuan had set traps repeatedly, and Li Shilang treated him coldly. Chen Ping’an simply refused to accept this and decided to test the waters.

Chen Ping’an silently counted in his mind. When he turned around, the Lamp-Lighting Talisman had just finished burning, identical to when he entered the city, without the slightest deviation.

Previously, on the winding roads of Daoist Feng Jun’s Bird-Raising Mountain, a different world within, the two had encountered each other. Perhaps it was because Chen Ping’an always respected elders, accumulating a lot of ethereal luck. In the end, they didn’t engage in any martial arts or Daoist techniques. After a friendly and profitable chat, Chen Ping’an instead used a temporary hand-drawn True Form Chart of the Five Peaks to make a deal with the Blue Ox Daoist. The Five Peaks Chart drawn by Chen Ping’an had an extremely ancient style, quite different from all the later Five Peaks Charts of the Great Landscape. The original Five Peaks Chart was first obtained by Seed Master in Lotus Root Blessed Land, then entrusted to Cao Qinglang for safekeeping, and later placed in the Lotus Root Blessed Land of Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Chen Ping’an was naturally familiar with it.

Feng Jun finally got his wish and was greatly pleased. He admired Chen Ping’an, this young man who seemed like a lucky star visiting his door. In exchange, plus Chen Ping’an knew that Feng Jun was only traveling to another city, he asked the old Daoist to help bring the long sword “Night Wanderer” to another city. Not only that, but the old Daoist, in a good mood, took the initiative to do a few extra small business deals with Chen Ping’an. The two had some questions and answers, and Feng Jun told Chen Ping’an some secrets of the ferry, of course, only the ones he could tell. For example, the way to leave the ferry and the method of switching cities, how Shao Baojuan became the city lord, and what benefits he had as the lord of a city, the old immortal remained silent about.

Chen Ping’an had always felt a connection with the long sword “Night Wanderer,” even though it was no longer with him. It was like a flickering lamp in the distant night, clearly visible to Chen Ping’an, the passerby.

As long as Chen Ping’an went all out and slashed the Ferry’s world with his sword, the two would resonate. Chen Ping’an was confident that he could let Pei Qian and Xiao Mi Li leave the ferry first, while he himself could go to the city where Feng Jun was located and continue wandering on this Night Ferry. Then he would have Pei Qian return to the Hemp Robe Sect ferry and directly send flying sword messages to the Grand Tenuity Sword Sect and Crawling Peak. In the North Entire Reed Continent, Chen Ping’an knew many friends and respected seniors.

Xiao Mi Li stood on a long bench, recalling something and laughing gleefully. She covered her mouth with both hands and giggled, “Good Mountain Lord, we’re going on a wandering journey together again! This time, let’s go and meet the mountain deity of that immortal mansion again. Don’t get kicked out again because you can’t compose poetry!”

Chen Ping’an said solemnly, “How is that possible? My poetry skills have greatly improved over the years. I’m not afraid of anyone. Xiao Mi Li, I’m not bragging. Back in the Sword Qi Great Wall, I met an old cultivator who considered himself a scholar, even at the fourteenth realm. He seemed to be using the pseudonym Lu Fayan. Anyway, he admired my poetry and took the initiative to find me on the city wall, saying that my poems had the right rhyme and the tone was amazing. He admired me and was willing to admit defeat, so every time he saw me, he would feel heartbroken.”

Xiao Mi Li listened in amazement and quickly clapped her hands, energetic and spirited, “Amazing, amazing!”

Alas, it was just a pity that her eighteen martial arts skills had no place to use. Because this time, when traveling far to her hometown of Dumb Lake, Xiao Mi Li secretly asked the Old Chef for many poems, all written in a book. The Old Chef was so careful. He asked her since they were poems pondered by Xiao Mi Li, right? Xiao Mi Li was confused at the time, a daze. She didn’t know what that was. Zhu Lian then told her to copy it herself on a slip of paper, otherwise, she would be exposed. Xiao Mi Li suddenly understood. When she lit the lamp and copied those poems one by one, the Old Chef was cracking melon seeds beside her, patiently answering Xiao Mi Li, what each word in the poem was read and what each meant.

Xiao Mi Li asked the Old Chef, were these all copied from books? The Old Chef said no, they were all temporary thoughts, hasty chapters, side branches and trivial matters of knowledge. Xiao Mi Li got anxious at the time, saying don’t implicate the good Mountain Lord and her to be looked down upon by others. The Old Chef said no, he also said that in his hometown, many people said that his poems were fished from the moon in the water, plucked from the willows at the ferry, and lifted from the wine vat, so he still had some skill. His whim was something that many famous poets sought for a lifetime.

Xiao Mi Li was dubious, but finally believed the Old Chef’s words.

That night, by the lamplight on the table, the little girl was copying the text while swinging her legs, and the Old Chef was cracking melon seeds while talking nonstop.

That’s why Fallen Phoenix Mountain was so pleasing to Zhou Mi Li. Even if the good Mountain Lord was often not at home, there were still Pei Qian and the Old Chef, Warm Tree Sister, Jing Qing, Jing Qing…

For this Cave Dwelling Realm Right Protector of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, the Sword Qi Great Wall was also a good place. In Zhou Mi Li’s heart, it was the third best place in the world, second only to Fallen Phoenix Mountain and Dumb Lake!
One was a hometown overflowing with friends, the other a small, unremarkable place called home in the martial world. And then there was her, the mute Lake’s Great Water Monster, who had unintentionally become famous in both realms.

Chen Ping’an reached out to the stool-standing Xiao Mi Li, pressing down with his hand in a gesture of calming, “When we’re out and about, traversing the jianghu, we need to be steady and reserved.”

Xiao Mi Li plopped down on the stool, returning to her hunched position over the table, a look of worry creasing her delicate brows. She whispered, “Good person Mountain Master, it seems I can’t help much at all. Outside of the Ruocao Mountain…”

Trailing off, the dark-clothed little girl scratched her head, unwilling to continue. She was clearly embarrassed. Some said she was just a tiny cave realm cultivator, a little sprite of dubious origin, and her position as a Mountain Protector of Ruocao Mountain was a complete joke. Truthfully, she had been quite hurt by these words for many years, as they were, at their core, true. She simply pretended to be unfazed to spare Warm Tree and the others any worry.

Chen Ping’an chuckled and gently ruffled Xiao Mi Li’s hair, guessing at the truth. He probed, “Did someone outside ridicule you for your low cultivation realm, gossiping behind your back?”

Strangely, no one had mentioned this to Chen Ping’an since returning to Ruocao Mountain. Such a significant matter, yet no one had said a word! He would have to remember this transgression. From Cui Dongshan to Pei Qian, to Old Chef, and even Chen Lingjun, none would escape his reckoning. Only Little Warm Tree would be spared.

Xiao Mi Li hummed in agreement, then cautiously said, “Good person Mountain Master, it’s not that I’m afraid of bearing responsibility! I carry my golden shoulder pole on my mountain patrols every day, secretly using it to remind myself of the weight of my duties. But this is such a big position, wouldn’t it be better to find someone else? I think Jing Qing would be a good fit! He enjoys being an official. He’d be quite suitable as a Mountain Protector. It would sound better too, since Jing Qing is a Nascent Soul cultivator.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Have him become the Mountain Protector of Ruocao Mountain? Even our Great Grandpa Chen wouldn’t dare to entertain such an idea. And Lingjun would never want to compete with you for that title.”

Chen Lingjun, even if he dared to become the Sect Leader of the Lower Sect, putting on an “I’m the only one who can do it” act during the Ancestral Hall meetings in front of a group of family members who could either behead him with a sword or beat him to death with their fists, he would never dare to become the Mountain Protector. Chen Lingjun had one good quality: he was fiercely loyal to the jianghu code of honor. Anything that was unclaimed, he would fight for, like the Sect Leader position. And he was willing to give up anything for others, like when Ruocao Mountain was short on funds. Chen Lingjun secretly contributed a lot of his personal wealth. According to Zhu Lian, Great Grandpa Chen was truly strapped for cash those years, so poor he was practically broke. That’s why he couldn’t stand tall in front of Mountain Lord Wei. However, anything that already belonged to someone else, Chen Lingjun would never take. Not even Xiao Mi Li’s Mountain Protector position, nor any other trivial benefits on Ruocao Mountain. In short, Chen Lingjun was an old jianghu figure who cared more about face than comfort.

Perhaps even Chen Lingjun himself didn’t know that both Mountain Lord Wei, whom he endlessly held grudges against, and Scholar Zhong Qiu, with whom he had limited contact, held him in high regard.

Furthermore, deep down, Chen Ping’an had always reserved the vacant Left Protector seat on Ruocao Mountain for Chen Lingjun. He had mentioned this in a secret letter to Cao Qinglang, stating that once the fellow succeeded in Walking the Waterway, if Ruocao Mountain was certain he couldn’t return home, he would finalize the matter. However, after Chen Ping’an returned to the Great Worlds, he saw that Chen Lingjun was walking with an overly arrogant swagger, so he deliberately didn’t mention it. Good things were worth waiting for. He would let Great Grandpa Chen, who was “friends with the entire world,” cool his heels for a few more days.

Chen Ping’an comforted her, “On Ruocao Mountain, who has the highest rank? Whose word holds the most weight?”

Xiao Mi Li grinned, “Of course, it’s good person Mountain Master!”

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly, “On Ruocao Mountain, rank isn’t determined by cultivation level, but by… fame! So tell me, who would be a Mountain Protector that everyone respects?”

Xiao Mi Li’s eyes sparkled, but she deliberately let out a heavy sigh, crossed her arms, and raised her little head high, “This is a bit troublesome. I can’t get away without being an official, can I?”

Chen Ping’an nodded with a smile, “Indeed.”

Pei Qian returned to the inn and knocked on the door.

Chen Ping’an had just been casually asking Xiao Mi Li why she wanted to go to Red Candle Town together. Logically speaking, Red Candle Town was very close to Ruocao Mountain. The Chongdan River Water God, Li Jin, who owned a bookshop in the town, had a significant connection with Ruocao Mountain. Chessboard Mountain was also the “place of origin” for North Mountain Lord Wei Bo. The Embroidered River Water God, due to the connection with the vengeful spirit in the bridal gown, was familiar with the Gu family of Mud Bottle Lane and Chen Ping’an. It should all be fine. Adding in the Iron Talisman River Water God, Yang Hua, who had a rather complicated history with Chen Ping’an, it could be said that of the entire Dragon Province, only the Jade Dew River remained. All other mountain and water forces had intricate relationships with Ruocao Mountain.

Pei Qian’s face immediately turned awkward. Chen Ping’an, who hadn’t thought much of it before, now started to suspect something. He glanced at his founding disciple. Pei Qian’s eyes were darting around, exactly like when she had gotten into trouble as a child and been caught by Chen Ping’an.

Xiao Mi Li quickly feigned confusion and then pretended to be silly, “Why do we have to visit Red Candle Town together? Is there another reason? Hmm, that’s a question the size of a melon seed! Haha, didn’t I already give the answer? Good person Mountain Master’s memory isn’t so good. Actually, I just don’t have enough money in my pocket to buy melon seeds…”

At this point, the little girl couldn’t make up any more lies, so she pitifully turned to look at Pei Qian.

Pei Qian had no choice but to use sound transmission to tell her master the whole story of the Jade Dew River incident, including Chen Lingjun’s deployment of the Dragon King Basket, Old Chef’s martial challenge to the Water Goddess, and her junior brother’s subsequent visit to the Water Mansion. Of course, the Water Goddess had eventually taken the initiative to apologize in person. However, she couldn’t help but mention Xiao Mi Li’s solitary wandering around the mountain. Xiao Mi Li was so carefree that she would grab a handful of green leaves from the roadside and stuff them into her mouth, chewing on the tree leaves randomly to disperse bruises when she thought no one was looking. Pei Qian didn’t deliberately hide anything or exaggerate. She simply told the truth.

After listening, Chen Ping’an nodded and simply said three words, “I understand.”
He feigned ignorance of Pei Qian’s explanation, simply ruffling Millet’s head and chuckling, “Once we return to our hometown, we’ll stroll through Red Candle Town together. We can even visit the ancestral temples and river deity’s abodes.”

Millet beamed, resuming her play with the daffodil basin.

Pei Qian produced several books, each marked with folded pages. With a solemn expression, she stated, “Master, the origins have been traced. It’s that Liu Cheng-gui, a native of Shanyang, courtesy name Dafang. Official histories and gazetteers are replete with records of him, found under numerous headings including prominent officials, literary circles, and water conservancy, though none are particularly lengthy. According to the texts, concerning the steelyard balance, it seems he was the first to introduce the concept of dividing currency into ‘li’ (a unit of measure), thereby increasing the precision of this type of mountain-made weighing instrument.”

Chen Ping’an began flipping through the books. Thanks to Pei Qian’s pre-folded pages, he navigated them swiftly. It seemed this ancient worthy was a kindred spirit to Zhu Lian and Liu Mao, the Third Prince of Great Spring from Yellow Flower Hermitage, all being proficient in various calculations and regulations.

When Chen Ping’an reached the section on palaces and temples, he discovered that this man had once been appointed as the Vice Envoy for the construction of the Jade Purity Manifestation Palace by imperial decree. Furthermore, the Emperor entrusted Liu Cheng-gui with overseeing the transportation of supplies for the sacrifice at Fenyin, during which he also developed waterways.

Enlightenment dawned upon Chen Ping’an. He instantly understood why he had encountered the steelyard at the inn and why he had almost missed the opportunity. His Daoist affinity for water, along with the books on arithmetic within his miniature world, were likely among the initial threads. However, donating the Daoist text in the City of Articles had probably been the reason for their initial disconnect – why he hadn’t recognized the steelyard or given it a second glance. If Pei Qian hadn’t insisted on examining the books, Chen Ping’an would never have paid attention to the steelyard, much less noticed any inscriptions on the balance beam.

Pei Qian possessing a complete steelyard, then, was her own individual karmic connection and opportunity, hence why she could see the inscription.

That Cloud Dream Long Pine little bow was indeed burning in his hand. Could it be said that many seemingly insignificant causal links in the vast world were amplified on the Night-Voyaging Ship? For instance, the Azure Bull Taoist, Zhao Yao riding the Azure Bull cart from Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven, the old abbot of the Sea Gazing Taoist Temple, and the ancestral Five Peaks True Form painting from Lotus Root Blessed Land. The Bearded Wanderer, the lame donkey—Pei Qian had read about his chivalrous tales in narratives. Since childhood, Pei Qian had longed for a donkey to accompany her on adventures. The Five Pines Gentleman from the armory, Bai Ye’s immortal sword Tai Bai’s broken tip, his own sword Night Wanderer…

Seeing her master lost in thought, Pei Qian softly inquired, “Trouble, Master?”

Chen Ping’an snapped out of his reverie, shaking his head with a smile. “On the contrary, it has resolved a significant doubt in my mind. The operational mechanism of this ferry is becoming clearer.”

Originally, Chen Ping’an’s initial hypothesis had been obscured by the chaos of the City of Articles.

Now, he was increasingly certain that the key to this Night-Voyaging Ship ultimately lay with the scholars engaged in nocturnal discourse, especially the traveling monk who stretched his legs in the boat.

And the ferryman whom no one gave much thought to!

Chen Ping’an reopened the booklet given by the Bearded Wanderer, pondering it slowly.

The Night-Voyaging Ship had a total of twelve cities, including the Upper Four. Therefore, there should also be Middle Four and Lower Four Cities.

Besides the City Lord Li Shi-lang, the City of Articles also had a Deputy City Lord. The other cities were likely structured similarly, with designated principals and deputies.

The Myriad Bowed City of countless rulers, which included the cool summer retreat at the northern foot of Mount Li, concealed the next opportunity related to that scroll. The Chicken-Dog City, where “Pine Smoke Protector” Long Bin resided, held clues about the *Guangling Melody of Cessation*.

At the Famous School storefront, the young proprietor who had engaged in the “Hao River Debate” with the Third Leader of White Jade Capital, Lu Chen, had even suggested using a Hao River Sword Nurturing Gourd to assist Chen Ping’an in developing a new city. This implied that the number of cities on the ferry was likely not fixed. Otherwise, the possibility of a one-for-one exchange would be too low, as it would deviate from the Night-Voyaging Ship’s fundamental purpose of collecting the world’s knowledge. Furthermore, Shao Baojuan’s fragmented words, especially his connection with the monk carrying a load and the old woman selling cakes, revealed some aspects of the Great Dao’s rules of timing and location. The actions and traces of most of the living deities on the ferry seemed to be cyclical. Among the locals, only a small number—like the city lord of this City of Articles, the Bearded Wanderer, and the Five Pines Gentleman from the armory—were exceptions.

But in that case, this small group of people seemed even more trapped within a prison of mountains, waters, and words. Year after year, century after century, it was as if they were constantly reading the same book, only waiting for outsiders to board the ship to occasionally add or delete a few words. Wouldn’t that be even more disheartening for these ancient deities and seniors?

Chen Ping’an retrieved a blank sheet of paper from his miniature world, writing down the people he had met, the places he knew, the key words, and the origins and directions of all the opportunities and clues.

Earlier, when Pei Qian had just entered the city, the three extraordinary figures she had seen—the palace maid hanging lanterns, the silk-fan woman in the small mountain residence, and the stag-horned boy with silver eyes standing on a bridged corridor between colored buildings—were likely important figures from the other cities outside the City of Articles. They were either Deputy City Lords or city lord’s close attendants, like Long Bin and Qin Zi-du.

Pei Qian watched as her master filled the blank sheet of paper with dense writing. Then, he folded his hands in his sleeves, staring at the paper in silent contemplation.

Pei Qian softly said, “Master, that mountain deed handed over by Li Shi-lang…”

This was a statement, not a question.

Chen Ping’an smiled. “It means we have a foothold in the City of Articles, like the Kui Meridian residence on Cinnamon Blossom Island. Because the mountain selling deed was changed to a mountain buying deed, it’s equivalent to an official land survey deed from the mortal world. However, Master doesn’t plan to live there. If we have the opportunity later, we should sell it back to Li Shi-lang. Otherwise, carving out a mountain top on his territory without permission would make it difficult for the City Lord to avoid being bothered by it. Ultimately, it would damage our harmony.”

Pei Qian frowned, noticing something amiss. She immediately took out the azure-paper mountain buying deed from her sleeve, discovering the words “Temporary Pavilion” had been added to the back. At the same time, a voice echoed throughout the room, “If Sword Immortal Chen doesn’t buy the steelyard soon, it will be too late again.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “City Lord Li, ‘See no evil, hear no evil,’ is that not so?”
Li Shilang chuckled, “The knowledge of the world, is it not to be seen? Is it a good thing for everyone to hoard their own worn-out brooms? As for hearing something improper, it’s not worth mentioning. You and I both know it well, no need to engage in such wit. It was you who intentionally brought it up first, and I’m merely helping you verify it. Behave yourself for the next three days.”

Pei Qian looked at Chen Ping’an, wanting to ask her master if the words of this City Lord of Itemized City could be trusted. After all, Li Shilang seemed to dislike her master from the start for no apparent reason. On the contrary, the city where Long Bin was located seemed to know her master’s identity as a Hidden Official and had even made a special trip to Itemized City to ask for a complete seal.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “To believe everything in books is worse than having no books at all.”

Pei Qian asked, “Master, what about the steelyard?”

In fact, Pei Qian didn’t understand why Li Shilang singled out this matter. Her master said that this object was illusory, so what was the meaning of gain and loss? But to say that a City Lord of Itemized City would deliberately swindle them out of money seemed unreasonable; that would be too boring and despicable.

Chen Ping’an explained, “The value of the steelyard lies not in the actual object itself, but in the meticulously carved markings and the varying-sized weights that Liu Chenggui created. It becomes valuable, very valuable, to those who know its worth. Even if you can’t take the steelyard, your master can help you accurately depict the spacing of the markings according to the original specifications and restore those slightly worn weights. That’s why Li Shilang reminded you like that.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated for a moment and then said to Pei Qian solemnly, “However, this opportunity to earn money is yours, and it’s up to you whether you compete for it or not; both options are acceptable.”

Pei Qian said without hesitation, “Then forget it. I’m too lazy to make another trip.”

Zhou Mili immediately said, “Pei Qian, Pei Qian, I still have plenty of gold ingots and silver taels in my pockets. All those heroes and valiant warriors are just waiting for my command to go out and display their talents! You’re not worried about not having enough money, are you?”

Pei Qian pinched Zhou Mili’s cheek, “That’s not it at all.”

Chen Ping’an left Pei Qian inside the room and went out alone. He saw a group of people at the inn’s counter.

He was a little surprised because, like himself, they were obviously outsiders who had just boarded the ship.

There was a young Confucian scholar carrying a book box, with a composed expression on his youthful face. He wore a jade pendant of a Confucian gentleman from an academy.

Chen Ping’an was no stranger to this; Zhong Kui, and Wang Zai, the gentleman from the Great Wall of Swords, both had them. The styles were the same, but the inscriptions were different.

That Confucian scholar was discussing the purchase of the steelyard with the innkeeper.

Besides him, there was also a young Daoist carrying a peach wood sword, with a young monk standing beside him, carrying a Buddha shrine covered in cloth, his personal Buddha.

The young Daoist was particularly handsome and debonair. He was whispering to the young monk, “I heard that there’s a city on this ferry where a fellow claims to be a reincarnation of Buddha. He must be a heretical and deviant follower! Should we leave the bookworm aside and go slay demons and exorcise evil?”

The young monk remained silent.

The three of them didn’t seem surprised to see Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an paid more attention to an old man with a sword standing not far from the inn on the street. He was undoubtedly a Sword Immortal, possibly even an Immortal Realm cultivator.

The young Daoist with the peach wood sword retracted his hand into his sleeve, calculating with his fingers. Then he shuddered, as if his fingers had touched burning charcoal. He smiled awkwardly and took the initiative to bow to Chen Ping’an in apology, “I was rude, very offensive, and I apologize. This place is too strange; everyone seems suspicious. It’s hard to walk safely.”

It was indeed strange. Although their identities were special and their duties were what they were, so they could move freely on this ferry, they still needed to solve puzzles and pass through layers of checkpoints to change cities. There were no shortcuts. Fortunately, Yuan Fang seemed to know everything, so they were able to break through obstacles and, after peeling back the layers, follow the increasingly clear thread and arrive at this Itemized City, which was the most difficult for foreign travelers to enter.

Otherwise, this Honorable Guest of Yellow and Purple from the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion felt that if he were to travel alone on this ferry, even with a life-saving talisman, he wouldn’t be able to leave in seventy or eighty years. He would be stuck here, going around in circles, at most just sightseeing from place to place. Those few cities were actually as vast as kingdoms and rivers. On the journey, some people held lanterns with the words “Three Great Emperors” written on them in red and black, hanging them at their doorways to ward off misfortune. Some people offered incense and candles on small stools, bowing with each step as they reverently worshiped their way to the top of the mountain.

There was a long-faced man selling wine who, when drunk, would go crazy with the inn’s accountant, saying he wanted to exterminate his ten generations of kin.

There was a crazed man named Buzhun, holding a large handful of burnt bamboo slips, asking everyone if they could fill in the missing characters, promising a generous reward.

There was a courier departing from the capital, whipping his horse, pasting imperial edicts on the snow-white walls of the post stations and road pavilions along the way, which contrasted with the poems written on the walls by traveling scholars and officials. There were also sedan bearers sweating profusely during the day, gambling all night long, not knowing fatigue, causing the officials who were studying late into the night in the neighboring houses to shake their heads in disapproval. Especially in the Principal City before Itemized City, the young Daoist personally saw a large group of officials from prominent families being thrown into the rolling river like dumplings by armored warriors, while a scholar stood in the distance, smiling with satisfaction.

Chen Ping’an nodded in acknowledgment and smiled, “It’s nothing. Just watching the fun, not joining in.”

“Magnanimous!”

The young Celestial Master from Dragon Tiger Mountain and the man in the blue robe praised him. Then he lightly nudged the young monk’s shoulder with his elbow, “You two seem to have something in common. Why don’t you say a few words?”

The young monk continued to practice his silent meditation but glanced at Chen Ping’an again. The young monk clasped his hands together, and Chen Ping’an returned the gesture.

The Confucian scholar spent a few taels of silver to buy the steelyard from the inn. The young Daoist asked, “How is it?”

The Confucian scholar shook his head and said, “Not much use, but better than nothing.”

The group of three walked out of the inn. The old Sword Immortal on the street silently followed the three young people, heading towards the city gate together. However, this time, unlike the monk carrying a load and the bearded man riding a donkey, they were escorted by a patrolling cavalry team.

Chen Ping’an stood at the entrance with his hands in his sleeves, just as he said, simply watching the excitement, remotely watching the four of them leave, obviously, the exit of these three was to directly leave this night ferry.
In the city of Articles, outside a small pavilion named “Lingering,” Li Shilang sighed, surrounded by over a dozen serving maids, Qin Zidu being just one of them.

Beside him stood an old scholar with snow-white hair, dressed in a green robe, who chuckled, “Lord City Master, if you feel so attached, and that young Sword Immortal has already said he’s willing to sell, then just buy it! Who is more adept at these business matters than you? What’s this, unable to bring yourself to profit for once? This isn’t like your usual self.”

Li Shilang retorted, “That young fellow exudes an overwhelming air of pedantry, bound by rigid rules and regulations, making him unpleasant to deal with. Doing business with him is truly unbearable. The later Confucian scholar was much better.”

The white-haired scholar laughed heartily, “Don’t spout nonsense! It’s clearly because that young Sword Immortal is too shrewd in business, sparking some kind of Dao conflict within you, causing you worry and heartache. A moment’s carelessness, and the position of City Master of Articles might fall into another’s hands, wouldn’t it? Otherwise, why would you hastily issue an eviction order? To be looked down upon in terms of magnanimity by a young junior? How does it feel to hand over a mountain sale certificate while receiving cold ridicule?”

When it came to earning money through writing, if one disregarded the amount earned and focused solely on style, Li Shilang was in a league of his own.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have uttered those shocking words: “I till the land, yet they eat the harvest, how can I bear it? I vow to fight to the death!”

Li Shilang chuckled in exasperation, “Judging by your tone, you’d very much like to see a change in the City Master of Articles, wouldn’t you?”

The white-haired scholar replied, “I simply wish to yield my position and no longer serve as the tiresome Deputy City Master. I’ll follow Zhang San’s example and simply leave.”

In their hearts, the two City Masters of Articles, perhaps along with Du Xiucai and the others, believed that the Curly-Bearded Man knew that leaving the city meant the dissipation of his last bit of spiritual light.

The bearded swordsman, with a long sword at his side, rode a lame donkey and drank fine wine, bidding farewell to the world in silence. His heroic spirit was admirable, devoid of regret.

However, on the ferry, most people were still trying to survive by hook or by crook. Li Shilang, for example, never concealed his enjoyment of life on the ferry.

Therefore, Li Shilang remained silent. His old friend was different from him. He used fine wine and women to escape the etiquette in his heart. Moreover, as Deputy City Master, he faced more restrictions than the street vendor Curly-Bearded Man, making it even harder to leave the city.

The City of Articles contained countless books.

Astronomy, geography, the three religions and nine streams of thought, the hundred schools of philosophy. Human relations, military affairs, politics, esoteric arts, rituals and regulations. Ghosts and spirits, strange and exotic things, rare treasures, plants and flowers.

From the initial four thousand entries in the Night Voyage Boat, it had evolved into over four million entries.

Li Shilang suddenly said, “If you truly don’t want to be the Deputy City Master, that young woman beside him might be an opportunity, perhaps your only chance.”

The white-haired old scholar shook his head and chuckled, “The greatest taboo at a drinking table is to urge someone to drink. Wouldn’t that spoil the mood?”

Li Shilang indignantly said, “This kind of unromantic young man deserves to be single for life! No wonder they’re separated, serves him right!”

The old scholar smiled, “The Chen Ping’an case in that travelogue isn’t just a typical romantic encounter.”

Li Shilang said, “If that’s truly the case, I’ll give him another mountain sale certificate for free! Not just a Lingering Pavilion, I’d even give him the Mustard Seed Garden!”

The old scholar deflated him, “That previous mountain sale certificate wasn’t a free gift from you, Shilang. He earned it through his own ability. Friendship is friendship, truth is truth.”

Li Shilang sighed helplessly, gazing at the pavilion, lamenting, “What a pity for this pavilion’s romantic scenery.”

In Chicken-Dog City, beside a large river, a tall-crowned man walked slowly. Not far from the bank stood an academy, and a stone tablet inscribed with “Place of Inquiry.” In the raging river, there was a pillar of stone in the heart of the water, with a monkey cage placed on it.

Long Bin softly asked, “Lord City Master, when that white-robed monk traveled on the ferry, he only left this item on board, saying he was waiting for someone with a connection. Could that be Chen Ping’an? A Sword Immortal, or a scholar, doesn’t seem to fit.”

The tall-crowned man smiled, “Unspeakable, speaking is missing the mark.”

Long Bin glanced at a male attendant following them from afar and cautiously asked, “Could it be… a sword challenge?”

The tall-crowned man said, “We’ll see.”

In Whitewashed City, also known as Useless City, in a rural area, the feudal lord who left Articles City rode an ox with a long sword hanging from its horn. The old Daoist priest sang as he walked, holding a watermelon he had picked up from somewhere, saying that the Green Ox Daoist could prolong a dying life. The White Deer True Man could regrow withered bones… As a result, he was pelted with mud clods by a group of mischievous children, chasing after him, demanding that the shameless thief leave the watermelon behind, causing a noisy commotion and dust flying in the air. The old Daoist priest rode on the ox’s back, swaying and smiling, stroking his beard. It couldn’t be helped. Having received someone’s kindness, he had to do things for them. A little hardship was nothing.

In Whitewashed City, in a city’s night scene, a scholar stood at a bridgehead in the bustling market, with only one star in the sky like a moon.

The scholar sighed softly, wondering when and who could help Whitewashed City break its useless predicament.

Inside an inn in Articles City, three people sat at a table. Pei Qian was copying books, and Xiao Mili was keeping the kind Mountain Master company by eating melon seeds.

Chen Ping’an put his fingers together, gently tapping the table, and suddenly said, “That Miss Qin, what was her name again, earlier, hmm?”

After writing a sentence, Pei Qian stopped writing, raised her head, and blinked, “Don’t know her name, might not have seen her before, anyway, I don’t remember.”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

Xiao Mili said, “Her name is Biyu, I know! And those two books, I remember them too. Wait a minute, let me think, don’t be anxious!”

Xiao Mili stopped eating melon seeds, crossed her arms, furrowed her brows, and began to seriously think about the titles of those two books.

Chen Ping’an gave Pei Qian a look, and Pei Qian immediately smiled at Xiao Mili and said, “What are you trying to remember that for? It’s nothing.”

Xiao Mili looked blank.

Pei Qian raised her pen, making a wiping motion.

Xiao Mili looked at Pei Qian, then at the kind Mountain Master, and sighed, “Okay, okay, I can’t remember.”

Pei Qian continued to copy books with her head down, and Xiao Mili continued to eat melon seeds.

Only Chen Ping’an walked to the window, raised his head to look at the night sky, with his back to them, not knowing what he was thinking.
Little Rice Grain was about to speak, but Pei Qian, without pausing in his transcription, subtly signaled with her eyes for her to remain silent.

Little Rice Grain could only continue munching on sunflower seeds.

The Night-Voyaging Ship’s twelve cities, how could they compare to that Ascension City?

Chen Ping An abruptly raised his head, muttering, “Could this be a dream?”

In the vast world of Haoran, the heavens had been cleaved open by a single sword. Someone, wielding their blade, had ascended from another realm to this one.

That ascended Sword Cultivator, following the guidance of a radiant sword-tip, a woman whose aura blazed like a rainbow, steered her sword straight towards the boundless sea between the Northern Entirely-Assembled Continent and the Treasure Bottle Continent. With a casual flick of her wrist, she cleaved open a layer of restrictive barriers.

In an instant, she landed within the borders of White-Eyed City.

Every one of the Night-Voyaging Ship’s twelve city lords, without exception, perceived this shocking phenomenon. However, none dared to proactively provoke the aggressively approaching woman.

The Azure Ox Daoist was the most pitiable, for he was closest to that Sword Immortal. The wizened, diminutive old Daoist stared blankly, gazing at the young woman before him – an ascended Sword Immortal?

The old Daoist forced a smile, feigning composure, and asked, “And who might you be?”

The woman reached out, grasping the longsword ‘Night Wanderer’ that hung above Ox Horn Mountain, and squinting at the styled viscount, she demanded, “Where is Chen Ping An?!”