The three departed, leaving Chen Ping An, an outsider to the Mountain and Sea Sect, alone on the cliffside gazing into the distance.

Where the human realm met the sea, mountain hues embraced watery reflections. A lone traveler in azure robes, sword on back, commanded the clear breeze and bright moon.

The Mountain and Sea Sect had once changed its name, altering only one character – substituting “River” for “Sea.” Yet, the seasoned cultivators of the Central Earth Continent still habitually referred to it as the Mountain River Sect.

Alas, he had not encountered that female Ancestor today. Rumored to be a student of Sect Master Nalan Xianxiu’s direct disciple, it would have been an opportunity to discover which senior brother had captured her heart.

Whether her affections lay with Cui Chan or Zuo You, either choice seemed a testament to good taste.

Chen Ping An rose, awaiting the arrival of the night-sailing vessel. Within the span of a single incense stick’s burning, he would be able to board.

At the cliff’s edge, a solitary figure stood in azure robes.

Recalling the Sage of Rites’ previous words, Chen Ping An’s thoughts drifted, allowing a myriad of ideas to rise and fall like ripples on a wind-swept lake.

Reading books reveals not the difficulty of acquiring knowledge, often rendering the understanding of scriptures too facile.

He remembered the cluster of balsam flowers outside Liu Xianyang’s house. Once, a torrential rain caused the town’s waterways to overflow, washing them away. Chen Ping An felt a pang of regret, while Liu Xianyang, the flowers’ owner, remained relatively unfazed, stating simply that they were gone. Gu Can, however, was heartbroken, lamenting all the way home, grumbling that they should have moved next door to him to avoid this misfortune, where the flowers would still be blooming vibrantly.

Remembering the cotton-padded, round-faced girl who went by the pseudonym Yu Qianyue, Chen Ping An naturally thought of Liu Xianyang’s ancestral home, which housed an heirloom cabinet, exquisitely crafted with painted and gilded floral designs. The cabinet’s rear panel featured an image of a flourishing golden osmanthus tree in full bloom, with a full moon hanging amidst its branches. Chen Ping An wondered how such a thing could be explained. Was it a matter of a thread connecting a thousand-mile fate? Were Liu Xianyang and She Yue destined to be together, even across vast distances? He hoped that they would unite well and happily.

Han Qiaose of White Emperor City had purchased a potent artifact for ghost cultivators at the Wrap Stall in Parrot Isle. After hearing about this in the Hall of Merit, Chen Ping An ceased his periodic inquiries to Master Xipi regarding the Wrap Stall’s dealings.

And Chen Ping An’s own life could no longer be hindered by a flooded stream.

Chen Ping An suddenly turned his head, surprised. Had she not gone to the sword-training grounds beyond the heavens, or had she just returned to the Great Balance?

The woman in white, leaning on her sword with one hand, gazed into the distance and smiled. “A blink of an eye, and ten thousand years have passed, then another ten thousand.”

Chen Ping An nodded. “It feels like a blink of an eye, and I’ve gone from five to forty-one.”

She asked, “Does Master know that this place was once a rather significant site of magical fallout?”

Chen Ping An shook his head. “I wasn’t aware. I didn’t see it in the records of the Summer Palace, nor did I hear the Master or Senior Brothers mention it at the Confucian Temple.”

She explained to Chen Ping An the long-buried truth. This location of the Mountain and Sea Sect was once the site of an ancient battlefield, the concluding battleground of the conflict between Water and Fire. Hence, the profound Daoist principles and scattered magic permeated the area, manifesting as immortal opportunities for cultivators in later generations.

However, the Confucian Temple contained sparse records of such matters, accessible only to the enshrined Sages of each era. Therefore, even the principals of academies might not be aware.

She smiled, “In that Five-Colored Heaven, a prodigy suited for cultivation, destined to suppress Ning Yao, will inevitably appear. They certainly won’t be a sword cultivator, so tell Ning Yao not to let her guard down. Just because she’s a soaring realm sword cultivator doesn’t mean she can rest easy from now on. She won’t always be invincible in the Five-Colored Heaven.”

Chen Ping An asked, “Is this person one of the greatest fortunes of the Five-Colored Heaven? Is it most likely that the Daoist forces, including the White Jade Capital, will obtain this person?”

Even if such a person existed, neither Ning Yao, nor he, Chen Ping An, nor a soaring city, even with prior knowledge of this celestial secret, would engage in the schemes of mountain cultivators, relying on the evolution of yin and yang to deduce the great Dao and then eradicate the roots of the problem.

She nodded. “From the current perspective, the likelihood is higher for the Daoist sect. But who obtains this opportunity is not predetermined. Gods and humans coexist, strange beings intermingle, and the current celestial fortune remains obscured. Therefore, the specifics of the other great Dao opportunities are not yet clear. It could be that the great Dao of celestial timing manifests as an object, and whoever obtains it will receive the great Dao’s protection of a world. It could also be some kind of geographical advantage, such as a blessed cave that neither Bai Ye nor the Old Scholar discovered, capable of supporting the growth of a fourteenth-realm great cultivator. Anyway, Ning Yao’s slaying of the upper god, the One-Eyed One, counts as having obtained one of them. At least she has a few hundred years to sit firmly in the position of the world’s number one. She should be content. If she fails to break through during this period and someone else snatches the title of number one, she can’t blame anyone else.”

She laughed. “That Little Master, didn’t he tell Master any of this?”

Chen Ping An shook his head. “The Sage of Rites didn’t discuss these things, and I didn’t dare to ask too much.”

She said, “As expected of the Little Master, lacking in generosity.”

The term “Little Master” was originally Bai Ze’s nickname for the Sage of Rites.

Only cultivators who write the ancient almanac, rather than consulting it, are qualified to call the Sage of Rites that.

Like her, by Chen Ping An’s side, once one of the Five Supreme Beings of the Heavenly Court, the Sword Holder.

Chen Ping An tactfully changed the subject. “The Armored One was killed by you in the outer heavens, completely fallen. Is part of the reason because a new Armored One has emerged within the ruins of the Heavenly Court?”

To put it simply, the higher the position of a god, the more it’s a one-to-one replacement.

Li Zhen, the closed-door disciple of the Grand Ancestor of Mount Tuoyue, a sword cultivator of the Great Wall of Sword Qi, the Observer.

His natal flying sword, River of Time, was too mysterious, making Li Zhen naturally suited to serve as the new Armored One.

Chen Ping An didn’t use a Cage Bird talisman, nor even his heart-speak, saying whatever came to mind.

With her present.

Who dared or could eavesdrop here?
She gave a soft “hmm,” her hand gently caressing the sword hilt. “It’s like this, Zhou Mi fostered that Illumination, destabilizing the divine seat of my old friend. Plus, the previous assault on Haoran and the fierce battle with the Sage of Rites both affected his combat prowess. But these weren’t the true reasons for his demise at my hands. His killing power wasn’t my match, but in terms of defense, he was truly impenetrable. He could be injured; even when my sword shattered his golden body into fragments that scattered like countless celestial rivers, it was still difficult to truly kill him unless I chased him relentlessly for millennia, which I didn’t have the patience for.”

Indeed, after that battle, a brand-new golden galaxy appeared in the distant heavens, stretching for tens of millions of miles.

Her implication was that the Armored One had sought his own death, ultimately relinquishing his esteemed divine seat to Li Zhen, or rather, to Zhou Mi.

If the sword-wielder and the Sage of Rites had failed to prevent the Armored One from returning home, successfully reclaiming the old Heavenly Court ruins, Li Zhen’s fate under Zhou Mi’s temperament wouldn’t have been pleasant.

Chen Ping’an softly asked, “Having to personally slay the Armored One, does it sadden you?”

The sword-wielder and the Armored One had fought side-by-side for ten thousand years, as she said, they were old friends.

She shook her head, explaining, “Not saddened. The golden body is a cage. Lowly deities have their golden bodies dissolved in the river of time, while the death of high-ranking deities is a kind of distant journey incomprehensible to later cultivators, a freedom of body and mind. The pitiful aspect of the old deities is that their words, actions, and even thoughts are strictly dictated by established patterns. Over time, that’s not very interesting. It’s like existing solely for the sake of existing. Thus, the immortality and permanence that later cultivators tirelessly pursue become a great prison in our eyes.”

Chen Ping’an took out his sword-nurturing gourd, took a sip of wine, and murmured, “Can it be understood this way? Compared to you gods, humans make mistakes and correct them, so is morality a kind of freedom in our hearts?”

She smiled. “Being able to think like that is a kind of freedom.”

Just as Chen Ping’an was about to speak, she raised her longsword and said, “This time, I’m truly leaving.”

The tall figure of the white-clad woman transformed into thousands of snowy-white sword lights, scattering in all directions, disregarding the Mountain and Sea Sect’s array restrictions, and finally coalescing in the heavens, overlooking the human world.

Chen Ping’an silently memorized the complex trajectories of the scattering sword lights, then fastened the sword-nurturing gourd to his waist, raised his head, and waved goodbye to her.

In the next moment, Chen Ping’an wielded his Sword Heart, silently chanted an incantation, and instantly transformed into hundreds of sword lights, like a blue lotus blooming on a cliff, then spreading out over the sea beyond the cliff.

Finally, the sword lights crashed into the Mountain and Sea Formation, like a person hitting a wall, staggering before the sword lights coalesced into a body, falling straight into the sea.

In the distance, at a high-rise in the Mountain and Sea Sect, Nalan Xianxiu, holding a pipe, exhaled a puff of smoke and marveled, “What an excellent escape technique.”

She waved her sleeve, opening the array restrictions. A figure in green robes leaped out of the water, not flying away on the wind, but running wildly on the water.

The distant night-sailing ship revealed its presence, and Chen Ping’an lightly touched the water’s surface, jumping onto the bow of the ship, landing in a strange city.

Chen Ping’an stood under the eaves of a house, focusing his gaze, and discovered a bustling marketplace not far away, teeming with people, seemingly surrounding a stage. On the stage were two martial artists, having just signed a life-and-death agreement. One of the strongmen, full of heroic spirit, wrote his name, so illegibly that even he probably couldn’t recognize it himself, and then slammed the brush down. The scholar responsible for collecting the two agreements hurriedly picked up the brush from the ground, cursing, “Barbarian, barbarian!”

Ning Yao and the others were joining the crowd, watching the martial artists fighting on the stage from a distance, from the second floor of a nearby tavern.

Ning Yao and Pei Qian were fine, just standing by the window, but Xiao Mili and the White-Haired Boy could only stick their little heads out.

As Chen Ping’an appeared in this city, Ning Yao turned her head and looked at the green-robed figure carrying a sword on the street.

Chen Ping’an waved, signaling them to stay where they were, he would go find them.

Arriving at the second floor of the tavern, Chen Ping’an found that the tables next to Ning Yao’s were filled with young dandies and playboys, too busy flirting to watch the martial arts competition. They were talking and laughing, discussing the deeds of famous martial arts masters, their intentions lying beyond the wine itself. In discussing the well-known grandmasters and reclusive hermits of the martial world, they always made sure to include themselves or their master, mentioning having once had the honor of drinking with so-and-so Sword Immortal or having been instructed by so-and-so Divine Fist.

Ning Yao turned around and sat back down. Pei Qian smiled and nodded to her master. Xiao Mili, seeing the good Mountain Master, smiled shyly. The White-Haired Boy, seeing the Hidden Official Ancestor, was on the verge of tears.

Chen Ping’an originally wanted to sit next to Ning Yao, but Xiao Mili yielded her bench. The White-Haired Boy, a step slower, vigorously wiped the bench back and forth with his sleeve, lightly blowing away imaginary dust.

Chen Ping’an took a bowl of wine that Pei Qian handed him and asked with a smile, “Where is this?”

Pei Qian whispered, “Taiping City.”

Also known as Jiazi City, one of the four middle cities.

It was the only place on the night-sailing ship without cultivators. A mortal scholar reaching seventy was rare. Probably any cultivator above the Middle Fifth Realm, not even needing to be a Land Immortal, just with a Sea-Viewing Realm cultivation, would be the most powerful person here.

Chen Ping’an laughed, “What brought you here?”

Ning Yao’s voice transmission said, “We met the Criminal Officer Hao Su, who came from Rongmao City, in Lingxi City.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, noticing that Ning Yao’s bowl was still full, so he didn’t offer to pour more. Pei Qian drinking wasn’t a big deal, she was a Jianghu person. Then he saw that Xiao Mili was also drinking wine. As soon as Chen Ping’an looked at her, Xiao Mili overacted, covering her bowl. “It’s water, not wine! I don’t know what wine tastes like. It’s no good for drinking, not tasty, very spicy! Only a fool would spend money to buy wine…”

The White-Haired Boy, sitting next to Xiao Mili, gloated, “Right, right, only a fool would spend money to drink wine.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “You’ll pay the bill later.”
The white-haired youth, utterly defeated, hastily raised his wine bowl, his face brimming with flattery. “Venerable Hidden Official Ancestor, a scholar of heaven and earth, a master strategist! This trip to the Confucian Temple must have been a resounding success, shaking the world with your fame! I offer this toast!”

Chen Ping An shook his head, took a sip of wine, and frowned slightly.

Ning Yao inquired, “What’s wrong? Did you get into a fight?”

Chen Ping An chuckled, “I had a few spars, mainly the one with Cao Ci. I took some damage.”

Pei Qian perked up her ears.

Chen Ping An retrieved a porcelain bottle gifted by his brother Jun Qian, poured out a pill, popped it into his mouth, and swallowed it with the wine. He then said, “Cao Ci is still formidable. I lost.”

Upon hearing that it was a martial exchange with Cao Ci, Ning Yao wasn’t too concerned about Chen Ping An. The two must have fought with restraint, and judging from Chen Ping An’s current state, he showed no signs of fatigue. On the contrary, his martial intent seemed even more refined, which was a good thing.

Chen Ping An suppressed a smile and told Pei Qian, “Although your master lost the fight, Cao Ci ended up with a face like a swollen pig. A fair exchange, I’d say.”

Pei Qian scratched her head, “Didn’t Master always say that insulting others by pointing out their flaws and hitting people in the face are both major taboos in the pugilistic world?”

Chen Ping An retorted, “Why be polite with Cao Ci? We’re old friends.”

Pei Qian grinned.

As they drank their wine, Chen Ping An and Ning Yao communicated with each other through mental whispers.

The white-haired youth dragged the short, stocky Xiao Mi Li off to watch the martial arts competition on the platform. Xiao Mi Li accompanied the dwarfish youth, tiptoeing and peering through the window, watching the grunts and shouts, the punches and kicks.

Chen Ping An relayed the general events of the Confucian Temple council, while Ning Yao recounted Xingguan Hao Su’s warning.

Ning Yao finally recalled one matter, “That Dazao Mountain ferry boat, aside from those cultivators who willingly stayed on the Night Voyage Ship, Zhang Fuzi has already released the ferry and everyone else.”

Chen Ping An chuckled, “Surviving a calamity, a false alarm, is the best kind of cultivation. It just goes to show how much face you command. If it were me, that shipmaster would either not show his face at all, or if he did appear, he would definitely try to extort me with exorbitant prices, driving a hard bargain.”

Not just any sword cultivator could casually and repeatedly use their sword to break the ferry’s restrictions.

This was the Night Voyage Ship’s captain, Zhang Fuzi, paying his respects to a newly crowned number one under the heavens.

Ning Yao retorted good-naturedly, “It’s clearly because of the Sage of Rites. It has nothing to do with me.”

Chen Ping An smiled brightly, “That’s true. During this council, I might be the only one who was personally greeted and seen off by the Sage of Rites.”

Ning Yao smiled faintly, “How impressive.”

An old scholar materialized out of thin air beside the wine table, smiling as he asked, “May I trouble Mister Chen and Miss Ning for a bowl of wine?”

His sudden appearance was such that even the guests near the table, including those who had been paying close attention to Chen Ping An, didn’t find anything strange. It felt as though it was only natural, and it had always been this way.

Chen Ping An cupped his fist in greeting and chuckled, “Greetings, Captain Zhang. Please, have a seat.”

After Zhang Fuzi sat down, he produced a wine cup from his sleeve, and the cup filled itself with wine. Was that the Wine Spring Cup?

Chen Ping An asked, “Could I trouble the captain to help me send a message to the two city lords of Chicken and Dog City and White Eye City? I might not be able to visit them for now. I’ll definitely pay my respects next time I board the ship.”

Zhang Fuzi nodded, “No problem.”

Chen Ping An then asked, “Would it be possible for me to open a shop in Stripe Item City?”

Zhang Fuzi was still extremely agreeable, “You’re welcome to.”

On Guihua Island, Chen Ping An had a small courtyard on Gui Vein. In Spring Dew Garden, there was also a Jade Luster Cliff, and he even opened an Ant Shop.

During this trip to the Northern Entirety Continent, he might also discuss the “leasing” of a certain island with Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven.

That was the island of Fushui, which had been without an owner for many years.

Chen Ping An highly valued that landscape and intended to occasionally retreat there for closed-door cultivation during his future cultivation journey.

Regardless, Chen Ping An hoped to acquire it, whether by buying it with immortal coins or by leveraging connections and goodwill. He would try his best.

Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven was divided among three factions: the Water Dragon Sect, which was closest to the water; Li Cai’s Floating Duckweed Sword Lake; and the Great Source Dynasty’s Chongxuan Office. Furthermore, with Shen Lin promoted to Grand Estuary Spiritual Source Duke of Southern Scent Water Palace and the old Grand Estuary Water Official, Li Yuan, serving as Dragon Pavilion Marquis, Chen Ping An had already established connections with everyone except for the Water Dragon Sect’s northern and southern branches, especially after Great Source’s National Preceptor, Yang Qing, actively visited Merit Forest during the Confucian Temple council. Leasing Fushui Island, or even directly buying it, was possible.

As long as the Water Dragon Sect was willing to agree, Chen Ping An now had ways to earn money with them elsewhere.

If he could also have a foothold on this Night Voyage Ship, like a landing spot similar to a ferry dock, that would be even better.

In the future, during his leisure time from mountain cultivation, besides being an academy teacher and fishing, there would be another thing to do: try to travel the Night Voyage Ship as many times as possible. Because there were so many books here, and even more stories of the ancients. If he were fortunate enough to advance further and open a shop here, he could board the ship with even more justification. It couldn’t be that only Shao Baojuan was allowed to be a city lord while he was not allowed to open a shop and do business, right?

Zhang Fuzi said, “I have an idea. Would Mister Chen like to hear it?”

Chen Ping An chuckled, “Please, Captain Zhang, speak your mind.”

Zhang Fuzi said, “Mister Lin An of Spiritual Rhinoceros City wants to cede the position of city lord to Mister Chen. What do you think?”

Chen Ping An turned to look at Ning Yao.

Ning Yao said, “It has nothing to do with me. I did have a pleasant conversation with Lady Li when I visited Spiritual Rhinoceros City, but it’s unlikely that she would just give away a city like that.”

Zhang Fuzi revealed the answer, “Celestial Raft took the initiative to propose it upon boarding the ship. Mister Lin An thought it was feasible. I respect Mister Lin An’s wishes.”

Chen Ping An shook his head, “I don’t have Shao Baojuan’s talent for divine journeys in dreams. If I became the city lord of Spiritual Rhinoceros City, I would only be an unreliable absentee landlord, and I would be letting down Mister Lin An’s trust. I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m content with having a bookstore in Stripe Item City.”

Zhang Fuzi chuckled, “We’ll leave the position of city lord vacant for now. Anyway, there are two deputy city lords to handle the specific affairs. Mister Lin An didn’t manage the city’s affairs much during his tenure as city lord, and Spiritual Rhinoceros City still ran smoothly.”

Chen Ping An was stunned, “Why didn’t you say so earlier, Captain Zhang?!”

Zhang Fuzi simply smiled, raised his cup, and drank his wine without another word.

Oh, so now you’re calling me Fuzi, not the distant-sounding Captain Zhang?

Zhang Fuzi asked, “Now that you’ve opened a shop and become a shopkeeper, what kind of business do you plan to run?”
Chen Ping’an said, “Draft character biographies, then follow the existing rules of the Night-Traveling Ship’s Item City to buy and sell books.”

Scholar Zhang nodded, “That’s feasible. When do you disembark?”

Chen Ping’an said, “That depends on when the Night-Traveling Ship docks at Corpse Beach.”

Scholar Zhang put away his wine cup and smiled, “It will take a slight detour, about an hour or so.”

Chen Ping’an calculated silently in his mind, connecting the location where Ning Yao’s sword light had appeared earlier, with the so-called Returning Ruins ferry by the Sage of Rites, and then gauging the distance between the Central Earth Mountain and Sea Sect and that Corpse Beach of the Northern Entirely-Assembled Continent, roughly estimating the Night-Traveling Ship’s navigation speed.

Scholar Zhang rose to take his leave, but he left Chen Ping’an with a stack of golden talismans, with a cyan-colored talisman on top. It was painted with the map of the nine continents of the Vast World, and there was a tiny golden light moving “slowly” across the talisman, presumably representing the Night-Traveling Ship’s maritime travels in the Vast World? The remaining golden talismans were likely travel permits for Chen Ping’an’s future voyages?

Chen Ping’an rose to thank him, then cupped his hands in farewell.

Scholar Zhang smiled and reminded him, “Mister Chen is a Confucian scholar of the Literary Temple, but the relationship between the Night-Traveling Ship and the Literary Temple has always been…ordinary. So, it’s best to keep this cyan talisman far from the Literary Temple, and avoid showing it to others if possible. As for boarding the ship, it’s simple. Mister Chen only needs to crush a ‘Guidance Talisman’ at sea, then gather spiritual energy to irrigate the golden light on the cyan talisman. The Night-Traveling Ship will naturally approach and find you. Guidance Talismans are easy to learn and draw. After using twelve of them, Mister Chen will need to draw them himself.”

After Scholar Zhang left, Ning Yao cast an inquiring glance at him.

Chen Ping’an stored all the talismans in his sleeves, saying, “First, strive for a relationship that is neither enemy nor friend, then establish some business dealings to benefit each other.”

Ning Yao nodded.

Then she didn’t need to think about the Night-Traveling Ship matters, since he was skilled at such things.

By the window, the white-haired child said that she was also a master, and she was going to fly over there to ascend the platform and hold the arena, to help Hidden Official Ancestor win a reputation of being invincible, so that her journey wouldn’t be in vain. She could humble herself and say that she was just one of Hidden Official Ancestor’s disciples, and the most incompetent one at that.

Little Rice Grain hugged the white-haired child tightly, preventing her from causing trouble, wobbling and leaning towards the wine table.

The white-haired child kicked her legs wildly, shouting incessantly, while the black-clothed little girl said that wouldn’t do, a Jianghu reputation couldn’t be made that way.

Chen Ping’an didn’t stop their antics, thinking about the so-called twenty people that the Judicial Official Hao Su had mentioned.

Hao Su himself, Tian Wan from Sunny Mountain, Immortal Han Yushu from the Three Mountains Blessed Land, and most likely, someone from the Jade Forest Sect.

Since Judicial Official Hao Su had come to the Night-Traveling Ship and stayed in Appearance City for quite some time, then the City Lord of Appearance City, using the alias Shao Baojuan, might be a candidate member, available to fill a vacancy at any time.

Of course, it couldn’t be ruled out that he was a formal member, one of the twenty, just very well hidden. In that case, Shao Baojuan’s elaborate designs against him in Item City would have sufficient reason.

Furthermore, the Jade Forest Sect had a deep connection with White Robes, the great sword immortal of the northern Northern Entirely-Assembled Continent, and his direct disciple Xu Xuan. Liu Jinglong had reminded him of this, otherwise, with the Jade Forest Sect Master’s Jade Pure Realm cultivation, he would have been beaten to a pulp long ago by the local sword immortals and martial arts grandmasters who disliked him. How many cultivators and pure martial artists in the Northern Entirely-Assembled Continent were easy to talk to? They often used sacks and clubs, or bombarded ancestral halls with spells and raining swords, without needing a reason.

The Jade Forest Sect had such a large business, both above and below the mountains, spanning the entire Northern Entirely-Assembled Continent, and even having many industries in the White Snow Continent and Treasure Bottle Continent. Just the immortal mansions near the Sharpening Mountain were veritable mountains of gold and silver.

When the Jade Forest Sect initially approached the Colorful Sparrow Estate regarding the Dharma robes, they repeatedly offered excellent conditions, and had always been extremely accommodating. Even after being rejected multiple times by the Colorful Sparrow Estate, they didn’t seem to have secretly hindered the Colorful Sparrow Estate in any way. It seemed their intentions were not just about the wine, but about the Fallen Mountain. Was the Jade Forest Sect afraid of alarming someone? Is that why they were so restrained and subtle?

Chen Ping’an even considered a possibility: assuming the Jade Forest Sect Master was truly one of the twenty, there might even be a second person hidden in the sect even deeper.

While Chen Ping’an was distracted, he said to Pei Qian, “Later, I’ll teach you a fist technique. You must learn it well. In the future, when you go to the Pusan Grass Cottage, you can use this fist technique when seeking guidance from Senior Huang Yi Yun.”

Pei Qian was a little nervous, nodding, and secretly taking a sip of wine to calm her nerves.

Chen Ping’an rose and said, “Let’s go out of the city and find a secluded place to teach the fist technique.”

The white-haired child rolled her eyes and strutted ahead, wanting to lead the way.

As a result, Little Rice Grain grabbed her, “Pay the bill, don’t forget to pay the bill.”

The white-haired child sighed and whispered something to Little Rice Grain, borrowing some change.

Little Rice Grain gave the money and immediately took out a slender charcoal pencil made by the old chef from her book box, and opened a blank booklet on the table, turning to the first page, and started standing and keeping accounts, looking serious and meticulous.

The little girl also raised her hand to shield what she was writing.

Chen Ping’an glanced at the account book, which looked like it had just opened for business, and asked with a smile, “Why didn’t you keep a record when you borrowed money from me before?”

Little Rice Grain didn’t raise her head, but scratched her face and said, “Dwarf Gourd and I are Jianghu friends. Business dealings must be clear, for example, if I owe money, I will also record it. But Good Man Mountain Master, Sister Ning, and Pei Qian are all family, so no need to keep accounts.”

Pei Qian smiled and reached out to shake Little Rice Grain’s head.

The shaking made the writing on the account book crooked. Little Rice Grain stamped her foot angrily and slapped Pei Qian’s hand away, “Don’t rush me, I’m keeping accounts.”

The group walked out of this city full of Jianghu and worldly atmosphere, branched off from the bustling official road, and randomly found a place, a large persimmon forest, with flowers as red as fire.

They had passed a lake earlier, with misty water towns, and the fishing boats themselves resembled swimming fish.

The white-haired child was now picking up red lanterns on the ground with Little Rice Grain. Nowhere could the land not nurture people.

Ning Yao leaned against a tree, arms crossed, watching the master and disciple teach and learn the fist technique for the first time.

Pei Qian took off her bamboo box and placed it far away, looking a little uneasy, as if she didn’t know where to put her hands and feet.

Chen Ping’an found it strange, and asked with a smile, “What’s wrong, why are you so nervous?”
In truth, the one who ought to be anxious was him, this master of hers. He needed to be careful to not be toppled by his eldest disciple’s fist once more.

Pei Qian took a deep breath, standing solemnly. “Please, Master, impart your boxing.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “Today’s boxing lesson is simple. I will only use one style of boxing to spar with you. As for you, you may strike as you wish.”

Yet, as soon as Chen Ping’an extended a single palm, merely adopting a stance, Pei Qian took a step back.

Ning Yao felt that today’s lesson was impossible.

Chen Ping’an grew increasingly puzzled. “Pei Qian?”

Pei Qian lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum. “I dare not strike.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled in exasperation. “What is it? Are you worried that your cultivation is too high, your boxing intent too heavy, that you might accidentally injure your master with one punch, or leave him half-dead with two?”

Pei Qian merely looked at the ground, shaking her head in silence.

Chen Ping’an glanced at Ning Yao, who shook her head, indicating that he should try a different approach, and not force the matter.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Ping’an turned and called out to the white-haired boy, “Come over here and lend a hand.”

The white-haired boy jumped in protest, “The one settling the bill is me, the one getting beaten is me, Hidden Official Ancestor, do you have any sense of fairness?!”

Pei Qian raised her head, filled with guilt. Chen Ping’an smiled and waved his hand. “It’s nothing, just carefully watch your master’s strikes.”

Ning Yao beckoned Pei Qian over.

Pei Qian walked over, and Ning Yao said softly, “It’s alright.”

Pei Qian nodded.

Seeing beads of sweat on her forehead, Ning Yao gently wiped them away for Pei Qian.

Pei Qian felt a little embarrassed.

The white-haired boy adopted a stance, sinking his Qi to his Dantian. Then, with a shrug of his shoulders, his hands swayed like water, and he shouted, before circling Chen Ping’an, “Hidden Official Ancestor, fists and feet have no eyes, forgive me for any offense!”

Chen Ping’an stood there, almost losing his will to strike.

Little Millet squatted far away, stuffing a large pocketful of fallen persimmons into her mouth, one after another, barely tasting anything.

After circling once, the white-haired boy hopped, striking a pose on one leg, his palms jabbing. He declared seriously, “Hidden Official Ancestor, be careful of my Mantis Fist!”

Chen Ping’an kicked out directly, striking the white-haired boy in the neck. His head tilted, bouncing a few times on the ground, even rolling over.

The white-haired boy finally collapsed, waving weakly. “I’m not fighting, I’m not fighting. Little Millet, remember to put the medicine money on the bill, just three taels of silver. When we get back to Fallen Phoenix Mountain, I’ll get it from Treasurer Wei.”

Chen Ping’an glared. “Get serious!”

The white-haired boy sighed mournfully, hopping to his feet and dusting himself off. “Alright, alright.”

In the following spar, the Ascended Realm otherworldly demon used some of the martial arts techniques of the Azure Abyss. Chen Ping’an’s boxing style was “delicate”, like the movements of a woman, but seemingly “graceful,” it was actually extremely swift and fierce.

Pei Qian watched carefully, not only memorizing the boxing styles and moves, but also clearly seeing the traces of her master’s boxing intent.

She took in not only Chen Ping’an’s strikes but also the white-haired boy’s perfectly linked boxing techniques and stances.

In fact, after Wu Shuangjiang boarded the Night Voyage Ship and reunited with her Heart Demon companion, she had secretly helped him open many restrictions. So, the white-haired boy was now like a walking martial arts library, a cave of immortals. He knew at least seventy to eighty percent of the divine abilities, swordsmanship, and boxing techniques Wu Shuangjiang knew. Perhaps the divine intent and Daoist charm were somewhat lacking, but it seemed to be sufficient for Chen Ping’an and Pei Qian, this master and disciple who were traveling with him.

Perhaps this was Wu Shuangjiang’s greatest gift to Fallen Phoenix Mountain in that deal.

Wu Shuangjiang deliberately didn’t reveal this, certain that Chen Ping’an, “that nephew dog who eats and runs,” would figure it out.

Therefore, Chen Ping’an, who initially only intended for Pei Qian to watch, became more serious with each strike, adding a touch of true sparring.

The white-haired boy howled as he casually threw out a punch, the signature move of a Boundary Realm martial artist from Azure Abyss’s history.

Pei Qian memorized them all.

Little Millet, busy eating persimmons, shuddered suddenly. At first, they were just a little astringent, but now her mouth felt numb.

Ning Yao watched the figure in green robes, his punches like flowing clouds and water, and felt a sense of regret for not being able to witness the boxing match at the Confucian Temple.

She remembered that he didn’t seem to land a single punch on Cao Ci on the city walls back then?

Now, Chen Ping’an’s punches truly had the bearing of a master.

The reason was simple: they were beautiful.

No wonder those martial arts apprentices in the Hidden Cold Palace all looked down on A-Liang’s boxing. Even when Zheng Dafeng taught them later, they didn’t think much of it. They all said that Hidden Official Chen’s boxing was both beautiful and practical. The pure martial artists of the Constable lineage, because they were mostly children at first, had a natural affinity with the Hidden Official lineage of the Bixia Residence. Especially the most talented young martial artists, both male and female, admired “Former Hidden Official Shopkeeper Chen” even more.

Ning Yao pursed her lips, her eyes smiling.

She wondered what a lively scene it would be when he went to Ascension City in the future.

During Chen Ping’an’s absence from the ferry, Ning Yao had a heart-to-heart talk with Pei Qian in private, besides her usual chats with Little Millet.

Perhaps because she was accompanying her master’s wife for a drink, Pei Qian spoke about things she had kept hidden in her heart for many years. She had never told anyone on Fallen Phoenix Mountain, not even Warm Tree or Little Millet.

For example, she missed her childhood days, helping to attract customers in Riding Dragon Lane. She used to go to the village school every day, although she didn’t actually learn much. She was too busy skipping class and daydreaming. But later, when she grew up, she became very grateful for the good intentions of her master and Old Chef, at least she had gone to school and had been surrounded by the sounds of reading.

Once, a teacher at the small town’s school, probably feeling that the little charcoal girl was too inattentive, angry at her for not striving, had asked Pei Qian to call her father.

The lackadaisical little charcoal girl said, “My dad is busy, he’s gone on a trip.” But in her heart, she was thinking, “He doesn’t know anything. He’s not even as good as Old Chef. Teach me? He even mispronounces words when he recites. I wouldn’t.”

“When will he return home?”

“I don’t know.” The little girl was thinking, “How would I know? Does my dad’s teacher know who his teacher is? It would scare you to death if I told you.”
“Pei Qian! Stand properly! Neither sitting like you should, nor standing straight! Is that any way to behave?!” Do you even know what it means to respect your teacher?”

Hmph. Pei Qian, only half-heartedly acknowledging the scolding, thought to herself, “I only have one master, what business is it of yours? Acting all high and mighty, why don’t we settle this outside? A set of Demonic Frenzy Swordplay, and I’d beat you so bad you wouldn’t recognize yourself in the mirror!”

However, in the end, the old fuddy-duddy said something that made Pei Qian grudgingly offer an apology.

That teacher at the village school said, “Looking at you, it’s clear your family isn’t wealthy. Your father worked hard to send you to study, not to have you helping with farm work. Although attending classes here is free, you can’t waste your parents’ hopes. They surely wish for you to study diligently here. Even just writing the Spring Festival couplets for your family would save your father some money, wouldn’t it?”

After that, Pei Qian behaved much better in class, at least no longer drawing little figures in her books.

On the night Pei Qian and her Mistress sat on the rooftop admiring the moon, she mentioned Grandpa Cui.

Ning Yao asked her why she missed Senior Cui so much.

Pei Qian said, “Just in case, just in case, Master doesn’t want me anymore someday and drives me away. If Grandpa Cui were here, he would advise Master, he would stop Master. And even if that weren’t the case, I already regard Grandpa Cui as my elder. When I was learning martial arts on the second floor, I hated him so much, wishing I could punch that old geezer to death. But when Grandpa Cui really stopped teaching, I wished Grandpa Cui could keep teaching and feeding me punches forever, a hundred years, a thousand years. I wouldn’t be afraid of any hardship, I still want Grandpa Cui to always be in the bamboo building, never leaving.”

Finally, Pei Qian brought up her Master.

She said, “Although Master didn’t teach me much martial arts directly, I think Master has already taught me the best martial arts.”

During those years of traveling the world together, Master was actually teaching her every day, not to be afraid of this world, how to get along with this world.

On that moonlit night on the rooftop, Ning Yao just listened quietly as Pei Qian, slightly drunk from drinking, gently spoke her heart.

Wine in, words out. It was as if the words in her stomach and the wine in the jug had switched places.

Looking closely, Pei Qian was actually a beautiful young woman, the kind who made people find her more and more attractive the longer they looked.

After speaking these innermost thoughts, the slender, slightly dark-skinned young female martial artist sat upright, hands clenched lightly on her knees, her eyes firm.

This sparring match in the persimmon orchard ended after the White-Clad Child showed off over a hundred exquisite martial arts moves.

However, both sides deliberately suppressed their cultivation levels, only using their techniques within a radius of ten feet, focusing more on determining victory or defeat through moves. Otherwise, the entire persimmon orchard would have vanished.

Chen Ping An, after finishing his stance, looked towards Pei Qian.

Pei Qian nodded vigorously, “Master, I’ve remembered everything.”

The White-Haired Child covered his head with one hand and his chest with the other, his steps unsteady, swaying like a drunkard. He glanced cautiously at Chen Ping An out of the corner of his eye and said in a trembling voice, “Not good, the Hidden Official’s martial intent is too overbearing, I seem to be seriously injured! Little Rice Grain, quickly, help me up!”

Little Rice Grain ran over as fast as she could, carefully supporting the White-Haired Child.

Chen Ping An shook his green robe, scattering the footprints and dust. He shook his arms, especially the back of his hands, which felt a little numb. Good heavens, he had been holding a bellyful of resentment, and while suppressing his cultivation level to teach Pei Qian, he took the opportunity to seek revenge! Many of his moves were aimed straight for his face.

Starting to make amends now? Isn’t it too late?

The group continued to stroll. Little Rice Grain and the White-Haired Child played and fought. They even took time to exchange martial arts knowledge, agreeing that both sides would stand still and not move. Little Rice Grain closed her eyes, turned to the side, and threw punches non-stop. The White-Haired Child quickly countered, scratching at each other? After the exchange, they looked at each other, the two short individuals both feeling that the other was a master.

The group finally appeared at the bow of the Night-Sailing Ship.

They could already faintly see the outline of the southernmost land of Northern Ju Continent.

Willows green, peach blossoms red, lotus flowers withered, osmanthus flowers blooming, the world peaceful and without incident.

Chen Ping An closed his eyes, his mind immersed, and opened the final painting of time, the ending he had never dared to look at.

In that dilapidated alley, somewhere in Tongye Continent, a little girl held an umbrella, skipping home. She knocked on the door, saw her parents, and sat down to eat together. The man put food on his daughter’s plate, the woman smiled gently, a family reunited, the lamplight warm and inviting.

Chen Ping An seemed to be standing in the alley outside the door, watching that scene, stunned and lost in thought, his vision blurred. He stood there for a long time before turning and leaving. He slowly looked back, as if a child was following behind him. As soon as Chen Ping An turned his head, the delicate-looking child stopped, his eyes wide as he looked at Chen Ping An. And at the end of the alley, there was another child, a slightly older one, hurrying along, thin and dark-skinned, carrying a large basket on his back, with a needle and thread kit that had been sewn and patched many times. As he rushed past Chen Ping An, he suddenly stopped as well. Chen Ping An squatted down, touched the head of the youngest child, murmured something, and then stood up and bent over, gently tugging at the rope of the basket digging into the shoulder of the older child.

Practicing martial arts will be very hard in the future.

But when he was young, carrying a basket up the mountain alone, walking under the scorching sun, his shoulders always hurt so much whenever he sweated.

Chen Ping An’s mind dissipated, his vision blurred, and he had to leave, withdraw from this strange and bizarre river of time.

In an instant, he saw the child carrying the basket turn around and walk into the alley, then squat down, his face pale, his hands covering his stomach, finally taking off the basket, placing it against the wall, and starting to roll on the ground.

The next moment, both Chen Ping An and the child heard a sound like drums, as if someone was speaking, repeating two words over and over again, “Don’t die.”

In an instant, Chen Ping An opened his eyes on the Night-Sailing Ship, looking lost and bewildered.

In a flash of lightning, who was that person? He couldn’t see clearly. That voice, he had clearly heard it, yet he couldn’t remember it either.