“Before meeting the Hidden Official, I was curious about what kind of outstanding man could be worthy of Ning, the Sword Immortal, who was regarded as the foremost figure under the heavens. Even in front of my brother Zhong, I directly expressed this doubt of mine, not just once or twice. It wasn’t until I saw him today that I understood what is meant by a match made in heaven, a couple destined by fate, a divine pair!”

“After seeing Ning, the Sword Immortal, I realized that all other women in the world are but mediocre. Once I had the honor of witnessing the Hidden Official in person, I then understood what it meant to be young and promising. I have wasted my years, living a long life only to realize I’ve been living like a dog.”

“Oh right, Mountain Master Chen, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Su Gu, ‘Gu’ as in ‘lonely.’ My Daoist name is Gusu, but the ‘Gu’ is like that of ‘matchmaker.’ I and Brother Zhong hit it off, kindred spirits at first sight. To tell you the truth, the only reason I was able to become sworn brothers with Zhong Kui and travel around Tongye Continent together is all thanks to Ning, the Sword Immortal, for acting as a go-between.”

Zhong Kui looked at the sincere and earnestly flattering plump man with pity.

It wasn’t entirely a lie. Su Gu had indeed questioned Chen Ping’an many times. For example, that this fellow must be a philandering scoundrel, with a weak stomach that can’t handle coarse grains, learned a few Confucian classics but only picked up the bad parts, not a proper gentleman at all, good at sweet-talking. He figured that Ning Yao’s talent was too good, so she must not know the dangers of the mortal world. She grew up in the Sword Qi Great Wall, so she’s probably an innocent little girl, and then a scholar from out of town stole the entire Sword Qi Great Wall’s corner, and Chen Ping’an bewitched her with those flowery words. Aren’t such things common in brothels and among wandering immortals?

However, the reason why the fatty was so honest and his words so diligent and flattering at this moment was naturally out of fear for Ning Yao, who was temporarily out of sight.

Among all ghosts and monsters under the heavens, besides being afraid of lightning techniques and those Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Masters of noble birth, they are even more afraid of the great cultivators with powerful luck, because they will be naturally suppressed.

Cui Dongshan shook his sleeves. This was truly the style of Fallen Cloud Mountain.

Their family tradition was indeed a strange and bewildering thing.

Counting on his fingers, it seemed that only Fourteenth Realm cultivators like Old Guan and Zheng Juzhong could avoid it?

This ghost, who was once an Emperor in the mortal realm, was one of the pawns left behind in the Vast Heaven by Zhou Mi, a plan in place for a long time. However, when Zhou Mi ascended to the heavens and left, it was as if his luck had been taken away. Ning Yao, who had ascended to the Vast Heaven with her sword, soon discovered his whereabouts, and then he was intercepted and hunted down by the Confucian Temple at sea.

However, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Since he was a Fallen Immortal from the Ascension Realm, he could not be regarded as an ordinary Immortal. Just like Jiang Shangzhen, how many Immortals in the Vast Heaven today dare to say they are his opponent? For example, the unyielding and lofty Great Sword Immortal Xu Xie, who spent time with Wang Ji of Jade Decree Sect over at the Driving Mountain Ferry, could only say that he dared to challenge Jiang Shangzhen with his sword, but would never think he could defeat him.

Under normal circumstances, this ghost, in the Tongye Continent which was severely lacking in top-tier combat power, could be considered a truly rare opponent.

That sea tomb, the graves hanging in the air, belonged to a place that neither heaven nor earth cared for, so it was able to remain hidden for many years. If a wandering night boat was like a mosquito in a mansion, darting around and occasionally making a sound, then this fatty’s place of cultivation was like a gecko crouching in a corner, not moving, so it was even harder for the Confucian Temple to detect its traces.

Perhaps it was because one shouldn’t hit a smiling face.

Looking at the smiling young Hidden Official, the fatty felt relieved. He had only shown off some petty skills of public service cultivation, and he had easily passed the test.

After all, he’s still young, likes this kind of flashy stuff, cares about face, and can’t handle praise.

The fatty tentatively asked, “Mountain Master Chen, where is Ning, the Sword Immortal? In terms of both emotion and reason, I have to thank her in person.”

He ultimately resisted the urge to copy Zhong Kui and directly call Ning Yao his sister-in-law.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “She has already returned to the Five Colors Heaven.”

The fatty looked regretful, lightly rubbed his hands, and his aura changed slightly. Although he lowered his head, his back straightened a little.

So there isn’t an Ascension Realm Sword Cultivator at Chen Ping’an’s side at the moment, huh?

Don’t let the fatty’s glib tongue and saccharine words fool you into thinking he’s just a layabout from the market. He actually got one thing right.

If Chen Ping’an was like “Sword Immortal Xu Jun” of Golden Armor Continent, an existence who had appeared out of nowhere, the fatty would never have followed Zhong Kui to Immortal Capital Mountain, but would have stayed far away, waiting for Zhong Kui to finish attending the Lower Sect celebration before continuing their travels together.

But since Chen Ping’an was still in the Jade Purity Realm a few years ago, no matter what shocking feats Chen Ping’an had accomplished in the Barren World, the fatty could be sure of one thing: Chen Ping’an was definitely not a Fourteenth Realm cultivator. As for how he was able to break the highest city of mankind, drag and fight over a Falling Star River with Consort Fei, and even cut open Mount Tuoyue with his sword and kill a peak Ascension Realm Great Demon… it didn’t matter, the fatty still stubbornly clung to one truth: Chen Ping’an, who had taken shortcuts, was like a “usurper of heaven’s achievements,” a Daoist thief. When the young Hidden Official returned to the Vast Heaven, let alone the Fourteenth Realm, being able to keep his Golden Core Realm would be considered great fortune.

The fatty’s idea was the result of piecing together fragments of idle chats with Zhong Kui. In Zhong Kui’s view, there was nothing wrong with it, and it was even the truth.

The fatty suddenly noticed that the young cultivator in the yellow hat and green shirt was starting to smile faintly again, a smile that was not quite a smile.

*As a solitary one, I have cultivated for three thousand years,
Alas, how grand, to have no match.*

If it weren’t for the fact that Madam Dan’s looks were too hideous to bear, even with the lights off, he would have already replaced the owner of Green Water Pit.

Chen Ping’an turned his head and smiled, “Xiao Mo, treat our guests well.”

Xiao Mo nodded, “Please rest assured, Young Master.”

There are only two kinds of guests who are considered honored guests.

One is welcomed personally by their young master, and the other is worthy of eating melon seeds.

Zhong Kui glanced at the fatty, ‘Good luck to you.’

On the way here earlier, Gusu was certain that he would test the waters of this Immortal Capital Mountain shrouded in clouds and mist. If it was a one-on-one fight with the other cultivators, then he would take care of it. As a senior on the mountain, he had to teach them a lesson about how there’s always someone better, to prevent the youngsters from getting arrogant and looking down on the heroes of the world just because they established a Lower Sect, and inevitably suffer greatly for it.
“But should the opponent disregard the code of the martial world, resorting to a dogpile, a chaotic surge, then Zhong Kui must mediate, lest I get carried away in the heat of battle and lose control, causing harm to those lackeys around Chen Ping’an. It wouldn’t do for them to attend the celebration with injuries.”

Chen Ping’an pulled Zhong Kui aside for a solitary stroll.

The initial stage is always the hardest. The construction of a brand new sect often involves numerous intricate arrays and hidden mechanisms. It’s difficult to hire mountain artisans and mechanists, so the “elders” have to take on the task personally. At this moment, the talismanic golems and mechanical puppets toiling away at both the ferry and on the mountain number over two hundred. Their ranks aren’t high, far below those Rain Workers, Mountain Carriers, and Fish Catchers on the ferry. However, they’re more than sufficient for performing heavy labor. The “overseers” responsible for managing the puppets and commanding the golems are three exiled cultivators from Jade Comb Ridge’s Elegant Abode. They’re not old, just over a hundred years, and their realms are only Two Seas and One Grotto. For now, they serve as unnamed retainers of Immortality Capital Mountain.

Zhong Kui had barely reached out when Chen Ping’an handed him a flask of wine.

Zhong Kui peeled off the red paper seal, lowered his head to sniff, and declared it good wine, smiling as he asked, “Did your realm regress back at Propping Moon Mountain?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Consider it a debt paid with interest. Fortunately, my martial arts realm didn’t fall too far, only from Returning to Truth, First Layer, back to Flourishing Qi. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare step outside.”

Zhong Kui turned his head, nodding towards Xiao Mo. “With such a guardian by your side, what’s there to fear? If it were me, I’d swagger around, announcing my arrival like a鏢師.” (镖师 Biāoshī: a kind of martial arts expert in ancient China, who escorted valuable goods for the merchants. Can also be seen as security expert or escort.)

Chen Ping’an looked puzzled. “Can you perceive Xiao Mo’s cultivation realm?”

“Mr. Xiao Mo is skilled at suppressing his power.”

Zhong Kui chuckled and shook his head, using his inner voice to say, “I can only discern some ancient karmic entanglements, piecing together a rough truth. For example, his immense age, his origin in the Barren World, and the fact that he is a sword cultivator. Because of the wronged souls who died by his sword, many of which are earth immortals who haven’t been able to escape, it’s clear he’s a ascended realm senior with a rich history.”

The perspective of ordinary mortals differs greatly from that of mountain cultivators. And the change between a Qi observer and an average cultivator is as different as cloud and mud.

The two sat on a piece of immortal wood as thick as a well. Chen Ping’an produced a wooden box from his sleeve and handed it to Zhong Kui. “I’ve been wanting to give this to you for a long time, acquired it years ago, but we never had the chance to meet.”

It was a prized possession he’d purchased at Azure Coin Square near Earth Dragon Mountain Ferry in his early years: a complete set of four Celestial Master Demon-Slaying Coins.

Zhong Kui took it and opened the box directly. “Oh, a treasure. Must have cost you a fortune?”

Chen Ping’an didn’t stand on ceremony, stating the price. “Not cheap, five Grain Rain coins.”

Zhong Kui sighed. “That could buy so many flasks of five-year-old plum wine, several roasted whole sheep! Even I, a seasoned accountant, can’t calculate it.”

Chen Ping’an said apropos of nothing, “I learned how to be an accountant from you.”

Zhong Kui chuckled. “Not a pleasant experience, was it?”

Zhong Kui had been to Jian Lake, but Chen Ping’an had been utterly exhausted at the time, sleeping soundly on the ground. Zhong Kui hadn’t wanted to disturb him.

Chen Ping’an responded with a smile.

Zhong Kui sipped his wine, mentioning that he had many friends among the three Confucian academies of Tongye Continent back in the day.

Teachers, classmates, friends, old acquaintances… like trees in the courtyard, thinned by each autumn gust.

Chen Ping’an said, “I heard Ninth Sister went to Celestial Master Residence on Dragon Tiger Mountain. Did you see her when you returned home?”

Zhong Kui rolled his eyes. “Why bring up something I don’t want to talk about?”

After a moment of silence, Zhong Kui couldn’t help but sigh, resting his palm against his chin.

“What could I say if I went? I haven’t figured it out. Besides, I might get the cold shoulder. Maybe later.”

In truth, the biggest knot in his heart was the Nine-tailed Fox that was currently cultivating on Dragon Tiger Mountain. In Zhong Kui’s eyes, she was no longer the proprietress of the inn from back then.

When he had accompanied Gao Cheng, the spirit of the Mass Grave Jingguan City, on a mission to the Western Buddhist Kingdom, Zhong Kui had once asked a revered Buddhist arhat two questions: If I reincarnate and continue as a human, will I still be me? Even if I gain enlightenment, recover my memories, and remember the events of my past lives, who is more significant, who is who?

Chen Ping’an roughly guessed the source of Zhong Kui’s turmoil and remained silent. Some predicaments aren’t entirely cases of observers having better clarity than those involved. It might be that the person involved is thinking too deeply.

Zhong Kui changed the subject. “Thanks to you, I ran into Raven Cry of Immortal Hairpin City. He and his master, Qiong Ou, have been hiding their heads and tails on the Underworld Path. Because those two ascended realm ghosts are extremely cautious there, they’re practically like mountain and wilderness cultivators on our side. Even after ascending, they still haven’t established any branches or gathered Yin soldiers to act as regional warlords. They also have unique methods to conceal their aura, only slowly nibbling away at pure spiritual energy. Because of that, the Netherworld is quite vexed. It’s not exactly a thorn in their side, but letting them be isn’t appropriate, and it’s suspected of neglect of duty.”

“So when I met Raven Cry, I moved him with emotion and reasoned with him, addressing him as ‘senior’ every other word. I finally managed to persuade him and even helped him secure an official position. Before we parted…”

“Not long ago, I heard that Senior Raven Cry soon…”

“Pulling out a radish, a small harvest. If I guessed right, Senior Raven Cry is busy looking for his master right now.”

Chen Ping’an asked with inner voice, “What is the status of the Founder of Immortal Hairpin City, Gui Lingxiang?”

Zhong Kui shook his head. “After seeing Raven Cry, I checked two sets of files. No leads at all. There’s another place I can’t go for now. Maybe another time, I can go through the registries.”

Chen Ping’an asked about the “Green Register,” which was nearly equivalent to what later generations of tales call “ranking among the immortals.”

For example, the old Daoist Master, who followed the Dao Ancestor during his journey through the little town and voluntarily became a guest at Fallen Mountain. The precious Daoist diagram that the old Daoist Master gave was, in ancient times, considered “untransmittable to those without a Green Register of Immortality.”

In truth, the distinction between the Netherworld and the mortal realm is the true meaning of not interfering with each other.

Just like how Chen Ping’an had traveled through the mountains and rivers of the three continents. Pure martial artists and Qi refiners, registered immortals and wilderness cultivators, their relationships were intricately complex, with constant disputes. However, there were hardly any cases of Qi refiners directly clashing with mountain and water deities, especially City Gods.
Regarding the records of the Netherworld, the Summer Palace’s documentation is scarce, with only scattered fragments. In Fire God Temple within Great Li’s capital city, Aunt Feng’s Hundred Flower Blessed Land wine, sealed with ten-thousand-year earth, was presented to three Yin Nether forces every century. However, Aunt Feng seemed to deliberately omit one power, only mentioning the Six Palaces of Fengdu Ghost Prefecture and Qing Jun of Fangzhu Mountain, who oversaw the records of earthly paradises and all earth immortals. According to Aunt Feng, Qing Jun’s Fangzhu Mountain, as the office in charge of removing names from death registers and recording entries in life registers, held a higher position than even the ancient Five Sacred Mountains. Its regulations were strict, its rituals cumbersome, and everything proceeded methodically, resembling the mortal world’s bureaucracy.

Then, Chen Pingan spoke about the Immortal Lieutenant’s affairs, hoping Zhong Kui, without violating any rules or taboos, could help investigate this person’s past life and origins.

Zhong Kui nodded in agreement, remembering the name, year of birth, and birthplace of the Treasure Bottle Continent cultivator who impersonated a Daoist priest, known as Nian Jing, styled Xian Wei, with the Daoist name Xu Xuan.

Chen Pingan chuckled, “Having someone in court makes things convenient.”

Zhong Kui solemnly replied, “Having a friend like me is your accomplishment. You can be proud of it.”

Chen Pingan took a hearty gulp of wine, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, “Learned it, learned it.”

Chen Pingan glanced at the rotund figure and mentally inquired, “How did Yu Jin end up by your side?”

Zhong Kui shook his wine gourd, “It was the Sage of Ritual’s intention, how could I refuse? But after spending time together, he’s not so bad, as long as Yu Jin behaves himself. Otherwise, I’d have been beaten to death hundreds of times by this unpredictable fellow.”

This plump man, now calling himself Su Gu, with the Daoist name Gusu, was truly named Yu Jin, hailed as a peerless emperor during his lifetime, yet reviled countless times after his death.

Regardless, an emperor who almost succeeded in achieving the grand feat of “one country, one continent” even before the Great Li Song clan, deserves any amount of harsh criticism from later historians. However, simply dismissing him as foolish would be unreasonable.

Zhong Kui raised his wine gourd, gently clinking it against Chen Pingan’s, “Oh ho, your intelligence network is quite impressive. You even know the fatty’s real name?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “I’m just afraid Yu Jin will seek revenge on me. Knowing your enemy is half the battle, better safe than sorry.”

In fact, leaving aside some palace secrets, Chen Pingan likely knows Yu Jin better than Yu Jin himself now.

The state’s name, the various reign titles, the important edicts issued, the governing policies, the resumes, posthumous titles, and eulogies of court officials—Chen Pingan meticulously copied everything recorded in the Confucian Temple’s Hall of Merit. He even specifically inquired with the Confucian scholar Xi Ping for small bits of inside information not suitable for record in the temple.

Therefore, a secret file dedicated to dealing with the ghost Yu Jin has long been added to Chen Pingan’s mind palace library, treating Yu Jin as a peak Ascension Realm expert.

Five Thunders Orthodox Arts, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Thunder Bureau. Not to mention the *True Traces of the Scarlet Tome*, which records several talismans specifically used to curse and suppress ghosts. Chen Pingan painstakingly crafted seven or eight hundred Yellow Seal Talismans for this purpose, all “in the hope of a fortunate encounter and the opportunity to entertain a distinguished guest.”

Very few cultivators receive similar treatment, such as Wu Shuangjiang of the Year-End Palace and the swordmaster Pei Min, one of the three wonders of the Vast World.

To put it bluntly, if Chen Pingan hadn’t regressed in cultivation and was still a Jade Purity Realm swordsman and a perfected martial artist, he could contend with a celestial ghost without relying on external forces. He had fought immortals before, after all. Yun Miao of the Nine Truths Immortal Hall and Han Yushu of the Myriad Jade Sect had both learned that lesson.

If Yu Jin weren’t by Zhong Kui’s side, but a chance encounter occurred, even without Xiao Mo as his escort, Chen Pingan wouldn’t fear a ghost who had fallen to the celestial realm.

Zhong Kui tsked, “That’s asking for a beating.”

With Ning Yao as his Dao companion, who would dare provoke Chen Pingan easily?

Some schemes behind the scenes might exist, but open challenges are unlikely.

Currently, there are two nominal rulers of the world, Ning Yao of the Five Colors World and Fei Ran of the Savage World.

And both are Ascension Realm sword cultivators with promising futures in Dao cultivation.

Below the Fourteenth Realm, who wouldn’t weigh their own capabilities?

Perhaps things are still manageable now. First, Ning Yao hasn’t yet reached the Fourteenth Realm, and the title of the number one expert in the Five Colors World is not yet so intimidating. Furthermore, the world hasn’t truly “changed” yet, so the Fourteenth Realm great cultivators of the various worlds are still hesitant to act too recklessly.

Once the world changes, like a shackle being removed, the disposition, or rather, the Dao heart, of all Fourteenth Realm cultivators will undergo subtle changes. When that time comes, they won’t act so predictably.

The mountain top cultivators of the Vast World have a general understanding of Ning Yao’s temperament. If she had a good temper, she wouldn’t have flown to the Vast World with her sword without notifying the Confucian Temple.

As soon as Zhong Kui left, Yu Jin immediately felt some pressure.

After all, they outnumbered him, and he was just a dragon crossing the river. Even a powerful dragon can’t suppress the local snakes. If a conflict arose, Zhong Kui would definitely side with the locals.

That kid Chen Pingan seems to be injured, with damage to the very foundation of his Dao, forcing him to hide here and recuperate. It seems he has a good relationship with Zhong Kui, as he was willing to temporarily emerge from seclusion. That’s why his sword intent and Daoist aura were revealed earlier—signs of an unstable Dao heart and an unsolidified realm.

So, taking a step to the side just now was a show of weakness.

The fatty looked at the little girl, putting on an elder’s demeanor, and smiled, “I heard you’ve known Zhong Kui since you were very young?”

Pei Qian nodded.

The inner world of this ghost’s mind is quite complex, containing not only scenes of human suffering, corpses strewn across fields, and widespread starvation, but also prosperous scenes of peace and prosperity, with fertile lands stretching for miles. There’s also a thin man wearing an extremely loose dragon robe, sitting on the dragon throne, drinking alone, staring blankly at the doors opening one after another, his gaze extending from north to south.

Yu Jin sighed, nodding, “In the blink of an eye, you’ve become a young woman.”

Pei Qian twitched her lips.

Yu Jin has no idea of Pei Qian’s extraordinary talent. The fatty only knows that Chen Pingan’s first disciple, the little girl going by the name “Zheng Qian,” is a Ninth Realm martial artist with a considerable reputation on Mount Vast.

Little does he know that the three people he’s facing are actually a perfected martial artist, a celestial, and a peak Ascension Realm sword cultivator.

Even less does he know that the white-robed youth is half of Treasure Bottle Continent’s Embroidered Tiger.
Who would have known that the youth in the yellow hat and green robe once brewed wine with the old abbot, and ten thousand years ago, loved nothing more than to test his swordsmanship against the strong.

In fact, after leaving that underwater tomb, Yu Jin most wanted to meet Cui Chan, the embroidered tiger serving as Grand Preceptor of the Great Li Dynasty, whom he sincerely regarded as a kindred spirit.

A glorious kingdom is the greatest beauty. The thunderous rumble of iron hooves traversing the land is a form of divine favor.

Zhong Kui suddenly said, “Extend your hand.”

Chen Ping An offered a hand.

In that instant, heaven and earth changed. Dark clouds gathered, covering the sky above Immortal Capital Mountain, their density so great that they blotted out the sun, turning day into night in a blink of an eye.

Xiao Mo hesitated, not venturing over there.

Since this Zhong Kui was a friend of her young master, he could be trusted.

Pei Qian looked worried.

Cui Dongshan abruptly flicked his snow-white sleeve, conjuring a golden flying sword, like a shaft of wheat, its momentum like a rainbow. The sword light rapidly flowed in the air, quickly drawing a massive golden ring, instantly imprisoning the strange phenomenon, preventing it from leaking celestial secrets.

Yu Jin’s eyelids twitched. This white-clad youth named Cui Dongshan was actually a deeply hidden immortal, and a sword cultivator at that?

Therefore, Yu Jin cautiously said, “A slight misunderstanding, why not let it dissipate with the wind?”

Miserable, bitter. Could there be a more unfortunate wretch under heaven than himself?

Everything is difficult, always beneath others.

Like Wu Ti of Immortal Hairpin City, Yu Jin, also a ghost immortal, had heard Zhong Kui mention that Wu Ti had last appeared in the Wild Desolate World, joining forces with his master, Qiong Ou, to fight Zhu Yan, the Old Ancestor of Moving Mountains, one of the old rulers of the Wild Desolate. He ended up paying reparations and even invoking his founding ancestor to plead with Zhu Yan, barely managing to protect Immortal Hairpin City.

However, Yu Jin never imagined that this Xiao Mo was the one who once pursued Yang Zhi, another old ruler. When Zhu Yan heard the news, he rushed to Yang Zhi’s aid, and Xiao Mo withdrew his sword and left.

Xiao Mo reached out and grabbed the fat man’s arm, smiling as he asked, “Senior Gu Su, how about we choose a secluded spot to spar?”

The fat man snorted coldly, sneering, “Just a moment.”

Then he turned to Zhong Kui, coughed a few times, and with lightning speed, let out a pig-slaughtering shriek, shouting to Zhong Kui with earth-shattering volume, “Brother Zhong, save me!”

Xiao Mo had no choice but to release his grip, abandoning the idea of inviting this ghost into a “Drunken Village” flying sword world.

They agreed to practice, but at the slightest disagreement, the opponent lay on the ground, waiting for a shoe to land on his face.

Xiao Mo lacked the worldly experience to deal with such a rogue.

The fat man rubbed his arm, his eyes filled with resentment, “Mr. Xiao Mo, what great strength.”

A true man can bend and stretch; what does a little face matter?

Pei Qian rubbed her temples, viewing the fat man with newfound respect, clearly someone who would never starve while wandering the world.

Cui Dongshan began to find the fat man somewhat pleasing to the eye; he was a talent.

He had to find an opportunity to persuade Yu Jin to throw a tantrum at the Confucian Temple in the Central Earth Continent, weeping, wailing, and threatening suicide, at least to get the Confucian Temple to return that cultivation ground. Then, he would have Yu Jin temporarily settle in Immortal Capital Mountain, which could act as caretaker. Yu Jin would only need to periodically pay Qing Ping Sword Sect a sum of immortal money, and everything would be negotiable.

However, Zhong Kui paid no attention to Yu Jin, focusing all his attention on examining Chen Ping An’s soul. After a moment, he frowned and asked, “Since that is the case, why not remain in Sword Qi Great Wall?”

Chen Ping An’s three souls and seven spirits truly had a major problem.

Causing Chen Ping An to leave Sword Qi Great Wall, a place of harmonious convergence, meant that his essence, energy, and spirit would be constantly depleted, like a transaction.

It was fortunate that he possessed the physique of a Boundary Martial Artist, his blood energy abundant, his bones and tendons strong, able to nourish his spirit. Moreover, his natal flying sword could naturally replenish his body. If Chen Ping An were merely a Distant Wanderer Martial Artist, he would have long been skin and bones, his form and spirit withered.

Zhong Kui had once seen a portrait at the Confucian Temple. On the city wall, a figure in a bright red mage robe, leaning on a saber, was blurred, no longer a being of flesh and blood, but composed of millions of threads, crisscrossing each other. In Zhong Kui’s eyes, it was… a tragic sight.

Originally, reaching the Immortal Realm would stabilize the soul, but after traveling to the depths of the Wild Desolate World and Moon-Bearing Mountain, he had fallen in rank again.

“Staying there, I couldn’t settle down and cultivate properly.”

Chen Ping An shook his head, “Besides, it’s not entirely a losing bargain. After all, it allows me to temper my body. The main reason I was able to reach the Boundary Realm at the gates of Taiping Mountain, just days after returning to Vastness, was largely due to this self-inflicted trial.”

Zhong Kui chuckled in exasperation, “So it’s just a bit of suffering?”

Chen Ping An smiled slightly, “Practicing martial arts is never without hardship; one gets used to it.”

Seeing that Zhong Kui had no intention of stopping, Chen Ping An could only gently remind him, “That’s enough; don’t force yourself.”

Zhong Kui looked solemn, silent.

Chen Ping An was about to raise his hand to push away Zhong Kui’s “pulse-taking” fingers.

At the moment, the interior of his body was like a polishing wheel grinding jade, constantly abrading his three souls and six spirits, with jade dust flying everywhere, and Zhong Kui was trying to stop the rapid rotation of the grinding wheel with his hand.

Equivalent to a sword contest.

Zhong Kui glared at Chen Ping An, “Looking down on me? Half-man, half-ghost, is that fun?”

Chen Ping An joked, “Since we’re friends, shouldn’t we share the blessings and the burdens?”

Zhong Kui said in a deep voice, “Open your palm.”

Chen Ping An hesitated.

Zhong Kui did not give Chen Ping An the chance to refuse. He stamped his foot, like a stone falling into the river of time, ripples spreading from his feet, layer upon layer, eventually showing a reverse surging momentum. Zhong Kui, who had already separated the realms of the living and the dead into two worlds, revealed his true form, dressed in a grand red official robe, gently exhaled a breath, condensing it into a cinnabar inkstick, seemingly specifically used for reviewing official documents. Zhong Kui then brought his two fingers together, dabbed them in the colored ink, used his hand as a brush, and chanted incantations, all obscure ancient words, helping Chen Ping An draw a body-fixing talisman on his palm.

With the task accomplished, Zhong Kui chuckled, “Truly chicken scratch.”

Chen Ping An shook his palm, feeling as if a few burdens had been lifted from his shoulders.

Like removing two Zhenqi Half-Catty, Eight-Ounce Talismans from Yang’s Pharmacy from both hands and feet.

Even sitting still in place, there was a sense of relief and riding the wind.

Chen Ping An took a deep breath, twisted his wrist, and smiled brightly, “Thank you.”
Zhong Kui retorted, displeased, “You’re being too formal.”

Chen Ping’an teased, “If I don’t exchange a few pleasantries, you’ll surely grumble about my lack of social grace. How many accountants in this world aren’t petty and narrow-minded?”

To criticize others, first criticize oneself, ensuring an invulnerable position.

One extra harsh word can ruin everything, undoing all the painstaking effort and carefully reasoned arguments that came before.

One less word, and misunderstandings arise. The human heart is a field of weeds, rife with suspicion, disappointment, and resentment, rising and falling in turn.

Only seasoned veterans understand what remains unsaid.

Meet and find kindred spirits, dismount and share a cup of wine; encounter injustice, slay the offenders in the bustling city.

Zhong Kui said, “This immobilization talisman of mine won’t last long, at most a year or two. But it’s fine, I’ll come find you again later.”

Chen Ping’an calculated the time, saying, “Around the middle of next year, I might be traveling the Central Earth Continent. I’ll trouble you to make another trip to Immortal Capital Mountain then.”

Zhong Kui nodded. “Perhaps we can travel a part of the way together.”

Zhong Kui softly said, “Allow me to say a few less auspicious words?”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

“If not for the inscription, you would be in a dire situation. Don’t forget, you were the first to advocate for war during the deliberations between the two worlds. Even before the Sage of Rites.”

“Suppose on the Barbaric Battlefield, losses outweigh the victories, it would be acceptable. The Grand Restraint would at least remember you and the Great Wall of Sword Qi fondly. But if we achieve crushing victories, advancing rapidly with constant triumphs, you would be in a very bad place. Yu Jin, that rotund fellow, said something earlier, perhaps unintentionally, perhaps to remind you through me, ‘appropriating the achievements of Heaven for oneself’.”

“Because you are the final Hidden Official of the Great Wall of Sword Qi, you are essentially carrying the entire Great Wall’s war merits. Regardless of what you, Chen Ping’an, think, or what you actually did or sacrificed as the Hidden Official, one day, all of that will become irrelevant. But since you inscribed those words on the city wall, no matter how the future situation unfolds, it can at least silence a lot of idle gossip for a century.”

Chen Ping’an raised his wine pot. “How about we drink?”

Zhong Kui lightly tapped his wine pot against it. “Just treat it as ghostly rambling, let it enter one ear and exit the other, forget it as soon as you hear it.”

“There is something I might need your help with.”

Zhong Kui stood up. “Is there a City God Temple nearby?”

Seeking gods and praying to Buddhas, finding the local deities, paying respects to powerful figures.

Chen Ping’an stood up as well, shaking his head. “There’s only a Land God Shrine, called Guiding Society. It’s small, but said to be quite efficacious. Shall I lead the way?”

Zhong Kui shook his head. “No need, don’t want to delay your secluded cultivation and healing. I’ll go chat with the Land God myself and wander around the area.” He forcefully patted the shoulder of the blue-robed man beside him, Zhong Kui grinned mischievously. “There’s some wine you wouldn’t dare drink.”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “If you’re going whoring, then go whoring, just remember not to put it on my tab.”

Zhong Kui was momentarily speechless. This kid, he’s reading my mind.

Chen Ping’an reminded him, “I advise you not to do such immoral things!”

Zhong Kui waved his hand. “Lord Gu Su, let’s move!”

The fatso was as if granted amnesty, hurrying to Zhong Kui’s side, all smiles.

Neither of them used aerial flight, instead they walked with great strides, leaving the territory of Immortal Capital Mountain.

Chen Ping’an watched Zhong Kui depart, then used the Cloud Water Body technique and returned to the Longevity Grotto, the entrance warded and located within the Azure Spire Peak, to continue his secluded cultivation.

After confirming that no one was around, the fatso whispered, “I’ve scouted it out, the waters are deep.”

Zhong Kui didn’t bother to reply.

The fatso immediately changed his tune. “Brother Chen has amassed such a great fortune at such a young age, truly joyous and congratulatory. My heart feels warm and happy for him.”

“Joyous and congratulatory, is it?”

Zhong Kui asked with a smile, “Isn’t there anything left over in your old lair?”

He was once a Transcendent Realm ghost, so his wealth must have been considerable.

When Yu Jin was found by Ning Yao and forced out of his lair, it was a scene of utter disarray. Perhaps it was too sudden, or perhaps he was caught off guard by a sword, but the fatso didn’t have any spatial storage treasures with him. So these past few days, Yu Jin wasn’t just pretending to be poor in front of Zhong Kui, he truly had no money on him.

Yu Jin stopped in his tracks, stamping his feet in anger and anguish. “Zhong Kui, why rub salt in my wounds? If you scholars are willing to abandon all pretense and set your mind to acquiring wealth, aren’t you even more unscrupulous than merchants? Would the Confucian Temple leave me any scraps?”

The more the fatso spoke, the angrier he became, pounding his chest and howling in distress. “My heart is twisted like a knife, so painful, so painful!”

Zhong Kui didn’t stop walking, retorting impatiently, “Stop whining to me about being poor. It’s not like I wanted to become an honored guest of the Azure Spire Sword Sect.”

Money makes the world go round, only in that underworld, the grinding material is quite terrifying.

The fatso continued on his way, asking, “Would it really work, if money is offered?”

Zhong Kui smiled. “I’m just giving a suggestion, whether it works or not isn’t up to me.”

But hearing those underlying words, this fatso must have a considerable amount of private savings?

Could it be that the Confucian Temple, despite digging three feet deep, failed to find all of it? Or did he have countless treasures hidden in his hometown when he was alive?

The fatso was the kind of person who wouldn’t let go until he saw the rabbit. He reached out and grabbed Zhong Kui’s arm, saying, “Zhong Kui, you have to give me a definite answer.”

Suddenly, Yu Jin felt that something wasn’t right, but no matter how much he pondered, he couldn’t figure it out.

Sensing the change in the fatso’s mood, Zhong Kui asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yu Jin shook his head vigorously. “It’s strange, I just feel like something’s off.”

Zhong Kui cast a pitying glance at the fatso. “If you’re going to offend someone, why did you have to provoke Pei Qian?”

Yu Jin said dubiously, “That little girl? She seemed quite polite to me.”

Zhong Kui smiled. “Take my word for it, when you get to the Land God Shrine, properly offer incense to the Land God.”

On the Immortal Capital Mountain side, Pei Qian asked in confusion, “Is Eldest Brother going on a long trip?”

Cui Dongshan nodded. “Taking Xiao Mo with him, to travel the seas and seek Immortals, testing their luck.”

Pei Qian made an “oh” sound, saying without a trace of concern, “If Master asks, I’ll explain things properly.”

This was the tacit understanding of fellow disciples.

Thus, the white-robed youth and the yellow-hatted, green-shoed guest put aside their tasks and sped off to the sea together, to secretly “expose old secrets.”

Riding Dragon Lane.
The firecracker shop’s Konghou, the grass-head shop’s Cui Huasheng. Two small stools, one large, one small, sat side-by-side.

The white-haired lad began to subtly hint to the girl that he had an excellent relationship with a certain shop, and could help her purchase rouge and powder at a 10% discount. If she sweet-talked him a bit, maybe even 20%!

Cui Huasheng finally couldn’t bear it any longer. Once or twice, maybe, but how could he relentlessly swindle her money like this? It wasn’t easy to earn a bit of coin these days.

Besides, her brother wasn’t by her side. Although Zhao Denggao and Sister Jiu’er in the shop were both good people, she was still making a living in a foreign land, without any real support. What would happen if she didn’t have any secret savings? In the end, half her wages had been coaxed away by this white-haired rascal named Konghou.

The girl huffed, “Do you think I’m a fool?”

The white-haired lad grinned. “You’re not a fool, no.”

Today, Bai Xuan brought Yao Xiaoyan away from Sword Worship Platform to the small town, otherwise she wouldn’t dare descend the mountain alone.

Yao Xiaoyan had a sweet tooth and wanted to buy some pastries from the Firecracker Shop to take back with her. Besides, there was a master to be filial to.

Although that fellow Bai Xuan’s words were unreliable, he did have a method and order to his actions.

As they arrived outside the shop, the white-haired lad stood up, hands on his hips, and laughed, “Good apprentice!”

The little girl smiled cheerfully, “Good Master!”

See? Master and apprentice, one big happy family, so loving and harmonious.

Bai Xuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back. The stall inside the pavilion hadn’t been open for many days. Recently, he had been diligently practicing his sword techniques at Sword Worship Platform.

Even if he couldn’t compare to Sun Chunwang, who knew nothing but sword practice, he was still far better than seven or eight Yao Xiaoyans combined.

Wasn’t he about to break through?

So he came to the small town for a stroll. Who dared provoke Great Uncle Bai Xuan? Please come! I’m invincible in a one-on-one duel. With a few swift moves, flying swords would whiz everywhere.

It was a pity that Old Jia wasn’t in the shop now. He had heard from the Right Protector at the mountain gate that he had been promoted.

Konghou chuckled, “Oh, isn’t this Brother Bai?”

Bai Xuan still stood with his hands clasped behind his back, nodded, and stepped over the threshold, beginning to inspect the shop’s business situation.

The white-haired lad asked Yao Xiaoyan, “How’s the sword manual, or rather the seven or eight I gave you? How goes the training?”

Yao Xiaoyan wore a bitter face, “Difficult to learn!”

She thought she was about to be scolded, but instead, the white-haired lad stroked the little girl’s head and praised, “Very good, just like your master.”

Back in the day, the female cultivator Tianran from the Sui Su Palace, when it came to cultivation talent, how could she and that person be in the same league?

So the Hidden Official Ancestor giving this little scatterbrain to him was truly wonderful, absolutely wonderful.

Bai Xuan bent his finger and tapped the counter, saying to the little mute standing on the small stool, “Aman, bring the ledger, I want to check the accounts.”

The little mute’s expression was wooden, she raised her head, her lips moved slightly.

Judging by the shape of her mouth, it was the character “滚 (gǔn)”, get lost.

Bai Xuan sighed, truly a little mute.

Bai Xuan casually asked, “Where’s Shopkeeper Shi?”

Aman continued to feign deafness and dumbness.

Bai Xuan didn’t bother arguing with the little mute, turned around and grabbed a piece of pastry, saying vaguely, “Yao Xiaoyan, put it on your tab. I can’t let you make a trip for nothing.”

Outside the door, Yao Xiaoyan made an “Oh” sound and started to take out money.

The white-haired lad’s face was full of joy, “Worthy is my good apprentice, acting with such grandeur!”

“Master, won’t you eat some pastries? Consider it me showing filial piety to you.”

The white-haired lad glared, “Even if the master is poor, he can’t be poor in spirit…”

Bai Xuan turned his head and shouted, “Old sister Konghou, do you want almond blossom cakes? There aren’t many left, if you don’t want them, I’ll eat them all!”

Outside the door, a voice immediately called out, “Leave me two pieces!”

The white-haired lad suddenly turned his head. At the corner of the street, came the great sword immortal, Mi Yu.

Beside him was a dull-looking little girl, seemingly named Sun Chunwang.

The Wind Kite Ferry was about to depart from Ox Horn Crossing for the Northern Ju Continent, so Mi Yu came to call Bai Xuan to board the ship together.

Bai Xuan finished eating the pastries, clapped his hands, bid farewell to Yao Xiaoyan, and asked if she needed him to escort her back to Sword Worship Platform. The little girl said no, she had her master.

Bai Xuan left the shop and went with Mi Yu to Ox Horn Crossing.

Once on the ferry, Bai Xuan curiously asked in a quiet voice, “Even Dead-Fish-Eyes is going, why isn’t Little Scatterbrain coming with us to the Lower Sect?”

Mi Yu said seriously, “It was Hidden Official’s explicit request that you attend the Lower Sect celebration. Furthermore, Nuan Shu, Zhao Shuxia Zhao Luan, and Yao Xiaoyan may not go to Immortal Capital Mountain.”

Guo Zhujiu and Xiao Mili were now very close, patrolling the mountain together and guarding the gate together every day, enjoying themselves immensely.

Bai Xuan clasped his hands behind his back, made an “Oh” sound, and said in a deep voice, “Indeed, Hidden Official values me, a tiny Hidden Official, the most.”

Mi Yu nodded with a smile.

Bai Xuan was actually watching Mi Yu out of the corner of his eye the whole time. “Could this be a trick?”

Mi Yu rolled his eyes.

Bai Xuan hesitated, “Mi Yu, you have to swear to me, it’s not Pei Qian who called me over, otherwise I’ll go back to Sword Worship Platform and practice my sword!”

Mi Yu raised one hand. “I can swear, it’s absolutely not Pei Qian looking for trouble with you.”

Bai Xuan burst out laughing, “Am I afraid of her?”

Mi Yu smiled without saying a word.

That kid Bai Xuan possessed a natal flying sword named “Wandering Clouds.”

This flying sword’s “heaven-bestowed” divine power had the same effect as Jiang Shangzhen’s willow leaf, specializing in exchanging injuries for lives.

If it was a duel between sword cultivators, he would have all the advantages.

If that was the case against sword cultivators, there was no need to mention dealing with other Qi refiners.

It was a pity that he was born from Sword Qi Great Wall, which made it useless, so he only got a “C- grade” rank in the Summer Palace.

Also, the number of natal flying swords he had couldn’t compare with Little Abacus and Little Scatterbrain, because Nalan Yu Die possessed two natal flying swords, “Apricot Blossom Sky” and “Flower Lantern,” which were both offensive and defensive.

And Yao Xiaoyan was the only Lower Five Realm sword cultivator among the nine peers who had three flying swords at the same time: “Spring Shirt,” “Spider Web,” and “Rainbow Skirt.”

Don’t let Bai Xuan’s nickname of “Little Scatterbrain” fool you; Yao Xiaoyan was the most likely of the nine sword immortal embryos to safely and steadily advance to the Jade Purity Realm.

On the other hand, Sun Chunwang and Bai Xuan, although they would definitely advance to the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms earlier, Yao Xiaoyan had the advantage when it came to comparing the “smoothness” and “steadiness” of breaking through.
Thus, poor Bai Xuan still thinks of himself as having “mediocre aptitude.” It’s just that compared to when he first left his hometown and met the Hidden Official, when his aptitude was “at the very bottom,” Bai Xuan has become somewhat aware. He’s not stupid. He practiced swordplay with a group of his peers at the Sword Worship Terrace, and Sui Youbian occasionally offered guidance. So, he knows, more or less, that his aptitude isn’t bad.

The Wind Kite ferryboat paused briefly at the Changchun Palace dock. As always, it was Elder Zhong who was responsible for cultivating relationships with the mountain.

Mi Yu didn’t disembark, but simply leaned against the railing.

Besides Chai Wu, there were a few more children of similar age on the ferry.

Bai Xuan, who hasn’t recognized anyone as his master.

Sun Chunwang, temporarily an unrecorded disciple of Ning Yao.

And He Gu, Mi Yu’s newly accepted disciple.

Sun Chunwang was still solitary by nature, but Bai Xuan and Chai Wu seemed to get along well. They didn’t talk much, but they often gathered together, one drinking tea, the other drinking wine, keeping each other company.

Mi Yu still has high hopes for Sun Chunwang. She has good talent and works hard, always competing with herself in her cultivation. He just doesn’t know if this little girl is related to Sun Juyuan.

Before being brought to the Vast World by the Hidden Official, Mi Yu had never heard of such a sword immortal prodigy.

But that’s normal. Back then, the youngest generation of the Great Wall of Sword Qi was led by Ning Yao, of course.

Besides Chen Sanqiu and Dong Huafu’s small faction, there was also Qi Shou’s group, and Gao Yehou and Pang Yuanji.

Although they were all young, they were too dazzling, a truly remarkable generation.

Even younger were “Little Hidden Official” Chen Li and Guo Zhujiu.

Originally, Bai Xuan, Sun Chunwang, and these other children were supposed to be in the same generation as Chen Li.

If it weren’t for that war, in a few decades, it would be their turn to guard the pass and receive foreign sword cultivators.

Inside a room, Chai Wu, as the host, raised a wine pot and gestured toward Bai Xuan and He Gu, probably asking if they wanted to drink together.

Bai Xuan raised his teapot, and He Gu waved his hand. Chai Wu then poured himself a bowl of wine.

He Gu asked, “Bai Xuan, between the Chief Offering and the Law Enforcement Ancestor, which position is higher?”

At Fallen Mountain, Zhou Fei and Sister Changming don’t seem to show who has the higher authority.

But at the Lower Sect Immortal Capital Mountain, Mi Yu is the Chief Offering, and Cui Wei is the Law Enforcement.

He Gu, the tallest of the nine children, had a natal flying sword named “Flying Peak.” The flying sword’s innate ability was similar to the Mountain Gods’ ability to move mountains and fill seas.

The He family wasn’t a wealthy or powerful clan in the Great Wall of Sword Qi, so they didn’t have a residence on Taihang Street or Jade Tablet Street. However, their foundation wasn’t shallow. Their ancestors were sword cultivators who belonged to the Department of Punishments.

By the time Hao Su became the last official of the Department of Punishments, it was practically nonexistent, a mere formality. He Gu wore a short sword named “Reading Maid,” an ancestral heirloom.

Bai Xuan crossed his legs and said, “According to the seating arrangement on Jise Peak, the Chief Offering has a more noble position, but the Law Enforcement Ancestor has more practical power. They both have their advantages, so it’s difficult to say who has the higher rank.”

At the bow of the boat, Mi Yu leaned on the railing.

He heard Cui Dongshan mention in private that only sword cultivators can carve on the cliffs of the Secret Snow Peak.

Mi Yu was already looking forward to Fallen Mountain and Azure Ripple Sword Sect a hundred years from now.

Masters emerging in great numbers, sword immortals gathering like clouds. The future is promising, the days to come full of potential.