(Late upload, apologies!)

In the velvet night, the Wind Kite ferry gently docked at Jade Tablet Sect’s Azure Citadel Wharf. This renowned immortal ferry crossing, famed throughout the continent, boasted gentle hills and soft waters, a lake like a mirror, moonlight painting the ground, and lanterns adorning the sky.

On the ferry’s deck, the passengers emerged from their cabins to admire the scenery, dividing into two groups. One side comprised Mi Yu with Zhou Mili, along with Law Overseer Changming and his direct disciple, Nalan Yudie. The other consisted of Wei Wenlong, together with Tao Ran, Shao Boxian, and their entourage.

Nalan Yudie, beaming, said, “Great Sword Immortal Mi, faced with such a picturesque scene, don’t you feel inspired to compose a poem?”

As a child born and raised in Sword Qi Great Wall, Nalan Yudie could speak casually with Mi Yu. She was even considered polite. Yuan Zao-hua, the former ringleader of the children currently hiding in Cold Avoidance Palace of Ascension City, often flew kites with a large group of peers on the city walls. She was even closer to Mi Yu, who loved to recline amidst the clouds, drinking and admiring the moon.

Mi Yu chuckled and countered, “Hidden Official suggested that you join Bai Xuan, Sun Chunwang, and the others to refine your swords and break through in that blessed cavern-heaven. Why did you refuse?”

As the children gradually ascended to the Cave Realm, each capable of traversing the skies, Hidden Official had long-term plans. For example, Fallen Phoenix Mountain would join forces with Azure Canopy Sword Sect to provide these budding sword cultivators with a proper Dao-protecting journey. They would travel to the Great Gulch estuary in central Treasure Bottle Continent, or Dragon Ascension Platform in Old Dragon City, build thatched huts for meditation, and simply await sunrise and sunset, ascending to gaze afar, broadening their horizons, nourishing their sword intent, and purifying their sword hearts. Once they reached the Ocean Glimpse Realm, they would go to White Emperor City in Central Earth Continent to witness the waterfalls and rivers cascading from the Yellow River cavern-heaven, to see Dragon Gate…

With Hidden Official’s close ties to Old Dragon City, the Yunlin Jiang Clan, and White Emperor City, these matters were mere trifles.

Nalan Yudie twitched her lips, offering a plausible explanation, “Master is unwilling to part with me, and I am unwilling to part with Master.”

Changming smiled gently, ruffling the girl’s hair, “Indeed, unwilling to part.”

The path of sword refinement was multifaceted. Changming didn’t believe Nalan Yudie had to stay at Immortal Capital Mountain. She had her own means to ensure her great disciple’s sword Dao achievements would rival those of her peers.

Of course, Chai Wu was an exception.

Mi Yu recalled something and said, “Nalan Caihuan is now the new sect master of the Rain Dragon Sect. How about visiting her when you have time? I can accompany you on a sea journey. I hear the moonlight on Reed Flower Island, with its Creation Grotto, is exceptionally beautiful. By seniority, shouldn’t you address Nalan Caihuan as Grand Ancestral Master?”

Among the nine sword cultivator sprouts, even a fool could see that Hidden Official had always been particularly fond of Nalan Yudie and Yao Xiaoyan, the little accountant and the little muddlehead, although he never showed favoritism in practice.

Azure Citadel Wharf was the premier ferry crossing in the southern part of Tongye Continent. Though called a wharf, its scale rivaled that of a prefectural city. After years of careful construction by the mountain’s artisans, it had been renovated anew. The wharf was adorned with immortal flora, evergreen year-round. Furthermore, the stone used to build Azure Citadel Wharf possessed a near-emerald, glazed hue, hence the name “Azure Citadel.”

The simultaneous docking of over thirty ferries at Azure Citadel Wharf was itself a testament to the sect’s foundation.

Wei Wenlong sighed, “Green Robe Wharf will find it hard to reach the scale of Azure Citadel Wharf without a century or so.”

Shao Boxian, looking down at the brightly lit wharf, its streets as bright as day, bustling with traffic, said, “The hardest thing to gather is popularity, especially credibility in financial matters. Jade Tablet Sect is undoubtedly the leading force in Tongye Continent. Compared to them, our Azure Canopy Sword Sect still lags behind significantly. This is normal. With an upper sect as support, coupled with Sect Master Cui’s management, it’s not impossible for latecomers to surpass them.”

Shao Boxian would disembark at the banks of the Lin River on the return journey of the Wind Kite ferry. Aside from taking a large sum of Grain Rain money from Sect Master Zhong’s coffers, Cui Dongshan had also secretly gifted him over a dozen mountain treasures for gathering the qi of the mountains and rivers. The matter of establishing a nation and enshrining heaven now had a glimmer of hope. Starting anything was difficult. With this divine money and magical artifacts as a foundation, he wouldn’t be too strapped for resources. The money had to be returned, interest-free. As for the debts of gratitude, he had already incurred three: the time he fled and sought refuge on Fallen Phoenix Mountain, establishing a nation on the foreign banks of the Lin River (which was also restoring the throne of the lost Scarlet Fire Dynasty of Treasure Bottle Continent’s Dugu lineage), and Wu Yi, the founding ancestor of Purple Sun Prefecture, bringing a group of her direct disciples to serve as Dao-Protectors for the nation. This was yet another significant debt of gratitude.

Wei Wenlong said, “Originally, the dozens, even hundreds, of financial routes belonging to the Tongye Sect, with the exception of a few lifelines still barely held in their grasp, have almost all actively migrated to the Jade Tablet Sect.”

Shao Boxian chuckled, “So the Confucian Temple was far-sighted in having Mountain Chief Zhou preside over Five Streams Academy, lest the Jade Tablet Sect become a sole dominant force.”

Wei Wenlong, a man of steadfast character, rarely confided in anyone besides the young Hidden Official. He smiled and said, “Supply Master Shao, you are now a Nascent Soul Realm sword cultivator. Once Dugu Menglong establishes her nation, if you can ascend to the Upper Five Realms and found your own sect, then with mutual support between the nation and the sect, it should be no difficulty to establish a firm foothold in Tongye Continent. The future is promising. Here, I wish Supply Master Shao all the best.”

Shao Boxian clasped his fist in thanks and said, “If that day truly comes, I will treat Mr. Wei to a drink!”

The woman now named Dugu Menglong, the future Empress of the new nation, perhaps because of her long acquaintance with Mountain Owner Chen, didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic or solicitous towards Chen Ping An. However, after following Shao Boxian, the former crown prince of the fallen kingdom, and residing at Fallen Phoenix Mountain for a long time, she felt a sense of closeness even though she hadn’t met this accountant from Spring Pennon Lodge of Inverted Mountain many times. Perhaps it was a matter of fate and personal affinity. Upon hearing this, she also clasped her fist, sincerely thanking him, “I am grateful for Mr. Wei’s care over the years. You are always welcome to visit.”

Wei Wenlong said seriously, “It’s fortunate that Hidden Official isn’t here to witness this scene, otherwise I would surely be recorded in his little black book.”

Dugu Menglong was, after all, simple-minded and didn’t understand. She couldn’t respond for a moment, so Shao Boxian had to explain with a laugh, “Mr. Wei is joking, teasing you for never showing Mountain Owner a good face, yet being so agreeable with Mr. Wei.”

She smiled, “Mountain Owner Chen wouldn’t be so petty.”
Shao Boxian chuckled, “Those are fine words indeed. I implore Mr. Wei to subtly convey them to Mountain Lord Chen.”

Dugu Menglong blushed and smiled, “I wouldn’t think of it that way. Those are my heartfelt words. Mr. Wei need not relay them, or they’ll lose their sincerity.”

Wei Wenlong nodded, “Rest assured, the Hidden Official understands perfectly, as clear as a mirror. Once, while casually chatting in the accounting room, he personally said that Miss Menglong’s ability to follow Attendant Shao through thick and thin, never complaining, is something not everyone can do. Bitter wine strengthens courage, and hardship nurtures spirit. Eventually, the dawn will break, and a new village will appear.”

Dugu Menglong was taken aback, “I thought there would only be comments that made people’s hearts ache.”

Wei Wenlong shook his head, “The stars follow their orbits, and the great transformation of Yin and Yang doesn’t revolve around a single person. The sun and moon illuminate each other, not just for the sake of one. Each has their own life, each has their own destiny.”

Shao Boxian laughed, “That sounds exactly like Mountain Lord Chen’s words.”

Looking at the scenic Bicheng Ferry, Shao Boxian’s heart was at peace.

Spring is Heaven’s original intention, autumn is Heaven’s separate tune, flowers bloom and fall, then bloom again.

The Fengyuan ferry boat docked at Bicheng Ferry tonight, not to show off the wealth of Luo Po Mountain, of course. The ferry boat now needs to traverse three continents, loading and unloading goods at each ferry. In addition, there is a need for reconciliation of accounts, usually Zhong Qiu and Zhang Jiazhen, along with the second steward of the Fengyuan ferry boat, Jia Sheng, who would jointly appear, responsible for connecting with Bicheng Ferry. Wei Wenlong, after all, is the accounting attendant of the upper sect, according to the usual rules of the mountain, it is not appropriate to interfere too much in the financial details of the lower sect, although Zhang Jiazhen is also a register member of Luo Po Mountain, it’s more of a experience that Zhong Qiu brings with him, a sect inheritance, includes not only Dao incantations and spells.

As for Old Immortal Jia, having an elder at home is like having a treasure. Not in terms of cultivation realm, but just in terms of worldly wisdom, according to Cui Dongshan, it has to be at least Ascension Realm.

Generally speaking, the ferry boat stewards who pass by to deliver goods and inspect accounts would go ashore and pay a visit, which is also a form of respect for the Jade Decree Sect. If it were up to Chief Mi’s temper, Bicheng Ferry would have to make an exception. In fact, Bicheng Ferry didn’t have such intentions. They had a big headache over this matter. Of course, they were willing to actively show their goodwill to Luo Po Mountain, or rather, the Hidden Official Chen Ping An. They were also worried about accountability from the Ancestral Hall of the Divine Seal Peak of the Jade Decree Sect, but it wouldn’t be appropriate to inform Divine Seal Peak about such a trivial matter. The twists and turns of the officialdom in the mountains and rivers are indeed numerous. Fortunately, the Fengyuan ferry boat, on its first passage through this place, Zhong Qiu and Jia Sheng quickly disembarked, which made the several old cultivators in charge of Bicheng Ferry breathe a sigh of relief.

Inside an accounting room at Bicheng Ferry, besides the three familiar faces who appeared on the Fengyuan ferry boat, there were three more guests tonight.

Among them was that Sword Immortal Mi, who never disembarked when passing by Bicheng Ferry in the past. There was also a man in a blue robe and a neatly dressed little girl in black, who were currently drinking tea brought by the person in charge of the accounting room.

Old Immortal Jia didn’t help introduce their identities, so the several managers of Bicheng Ferry, who had rushed here, didn’t dare to ask too much.

And that sword-bearing man, who looked gentle and warm, carefully looked through the account books, so his status in the newly established Green Breeze Sword Sect of Luo Po Mountain on Treasure Bottle Continent must be high.

Perhaps he is the direct disciple of that Sword Immortal Mi?

Now there is a rumor spreading like wildfire, saying that this Sword Immortal Mi from the Great Wall of Swords is already a true immortal.

What a great fortune it must be to become a direct disciple of a Great Sword Immortal? It’s truly a heavenly blessing that one wouldn’t even dare to dream of.

The blue-robed man also raised several extremely professional questions about the accounts. Everyone in the room was an old hand. It was clear that he was an expert, an outsider definitely wouldn’t be able to ask such questions.

Chen Ping An didn’t sit for long. After looking at the accounts, he bid farewell with Xiao Mili and Great Sword Immortal Mi.

Old Immortal Jia was about to get up, but Chen Ping An smiled and gestured a few times, indicating that there was no need to see them off. Old Immortal Jia then continued to stick his butt on the chair. This scene made the people of Bicheng Ferry, who were very good at observing expressions, even more puzzled. Could it be that they had neglected a distinguished guest? Especially when they saw that the blue-robed guest was the first to step out of the threshold, and Great Sword Immortal Mi followed behind, the several discerning people in the room were completely dumbfounded.

After the three of them left the accounting room, the old cultivator, who was the head of Bicheng Ferry, asked softly, “Old Brother Jia, who is this gentleman?”

Jia Sheng stroked his beard and said with a smile, “To be honest, he is, of course, our Mountain Lord Chen of Luo Po Mountain. You may not be very clear, Mountain Lord Chen respects accountants the most in his life. Therefore, this time the ferry boat docked, Mountain Lord Chen, no matter how busy he was, still insisted on meeting you old brothers. Just now, on the way here, the Mountain Lord said that he was half a fellow professional with you all. I took the opportunity to tell the Mountain Lord about your general experiences. The Mountain Lord listened carefully and had already remembered them all. As for why he didn’t reveal his identity, of course, it wasn’t because my Mountain Lord intentionally put on airs, but only because the Mountain Lord has been through it all. He’s very familiar with abacuses and account books, and he knows best that accounting is a delicate job. He really didn’t want you to be distracted by polite greetings.”

Zhong Qiu drank tea, remaining silent.

Zhang Jiazhen lowered his head to calculate the accounts, admiring him greatly in his heart.

Zhou Mili originally didn’t plan to disembark, thinking that it would be good to look at the scenery over the railing. It’s just that the Good Person Mountain Lord said he wanted to have some supper, so she secretly weighed her own purse. She still has a thousand troops under her command, how could she lose to a table of wine and dishes? Impossible. However, she still left the golden carrying pole on the Fengyuan ferry boat.

So tonight, a little girl in black, carrying a small bamboo box and holding a mountain-walking stick, walked in the middle, ha, using the fox’s name to scare people.

The Good Person Mountain Lord beside her, with a jade hairpin in his hair, wearing a blue robe, cloth shoes, and carrying a sword.

A snow-white robe, extremely beautiful, with a sword. A gourd named Haoliang hanging from his waist, nurturing a sword.

One leisurely stroll, with the demeanor of a grandmaster. One lazy, with an outstanding appearance.

Not easy to provoke.

Even in the night, the streets of Bicheng Ferry were still crowded, bustling with people. There was more curiosity about the “little girl’s” identity. Could it be some old ancestor from a fairy cave, who had achieved Taoism and returned to childhood? When going out, one must master several “aura-seeing” abilities. The clothing and especially the style of robes, as well as those ornaments that can reveal the identity of sects and fairy caves… all are important.
Chen Ping’an jested, “Looks like being too far from Bao Ping Continent has its perks. Walking around so openly without any illusion spells, and still no one recognizes the Great Sword Immortal Mi.”

Zhou Mili asked, “Good-hearted Mountain Master, is Yu Mi really that famous outside?”

Mi Yu sensed trouble. Just as he was about to explain, Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “The Great Sword Immortal Mi’s fame is quite something. I definitely can’t compare.”

Zhou Mili whispered, “Oh, right! Sister Luan mentioned it. In the Cai Que Prefecture of Bei Ju Luzhou, Yu Mi is very popular. Every time he walks down the street, the fairy sisters take the initiative to greet him. He’s very well-received.”

Chen Ping’an glanced sideways at the Great Sword Immortal Mi and chuckled, “Oh?”

Mi Yu explained, “I don’t talk to anyone when I’m in the Cai Que Prefecture.”

The Hidden Official let out a cold laugh, “Heh.”

Little Mili was filled with confusion. “Yu Mi, are you so aloof in Cai Que Prefecture? Why are you so unapproachable? That can’t be right. How can I smooth things over? How can I salvage this?” The little girl could only pretend to be confused, “Ah?”

Mi Yu felt helpless.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Should we buy some melon seeds on the way?”

Zhou Mili shook her head quickly, “In such a place filled with immortal aura, don’t buy anything that you can buy in the mundane world. What are you, a country bumpkin? If you want to buy melon seeds, you have to go to the shops in Hongzhu Town. I know them well. I’m a regular customer. If I buy a lot, I get a discount!”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Old Daoist.”

Having come out for a late-night snack, Zhou Mili reached into her sleeve again and felt the heavy money bag. She grinned and said, “It’s my treat tonight!”

They chose a nearby tavern. On the wall behind the counter, wooden plaques were filled with the names of signature dishes. Zhou Mili liked them all, but looking at the prices in parentheses…

Zhou Mili scratched her cheek and took a deep breath, “Fine, fine, wealth is but an external thing. Go then, go! Find a good home after the move. After this parting today, may we meet again in the martial world if fate allows.”

After ordering the dishes and taking their seats, Mi Yu held back for a long time, but couldn’t help asking, “Little Mili, do you like eating fish too?”

Back in Luopo Mountain, the old cook would occasionally stir-fry a few dishes of river delicacies. But whenever they were on the dinner table, Mi Yu couldn’t help but glance at Little Mili a few more times. She would always use her chopsticks, but he couldn’t tell if she liked it or not. Anyway, she never spat out bones when eating fish. But today, Little Mili was generous, ordering a table full of dishes, including two fish dishes, one steamed and one braised.

Little Mili blinked her eyes.

Chen Ping’an said in annoyance, “Little Mili is in Dumb Lake, what else would she eat other than fish and shrimp? Drink water to fill her stomach? What kind of question is that? Mi Yu, are you a…”

Then Chen Ping’an and Little Mili said in unison, “Fool?”

The little girl sat on the long bench, clutching her stomach and laughing, “This is too funny.”

Mi Yu smiled helplessly.

“That’s right, Little Mili always has a bag of dried small fish ready.”

Zhou Mili winked at Mi Yu, indicating that the previous messy account had definitely been settled with the good-hearted Mountain Master.

Chen Ping’an asked for an extra wine cup so that Little Mili could drink a little to satisfy her craving.

Actually, Pei Qian also craved alcohol when she was young. It wasn’t that she really loved to drink, she just wanted to show off that she was old enough to drink. But Chen Ping’an was strict back then. Every time Little Black Charcoal craved alcohol, let alone drinking, she wouldn’t even get any chestnuts.

Little Black Charcoal would often secretly find Wei Hailiang behind her master’s back and play finger-guessing games together, one drinking water and the other drinking wine, doing it in a very authentic manner. Wei Xian couldn’t even win against her.

Zhou Mili always took a sip of wine, then lightly exclaimed, “Good wine, good wine!” So she had to exclaim in surprise to express her respect.

If it was tea, the etiquette was different. She had to hold the cup with both hands, nod lightly, and say “Mmm.”

These were all the tricks of the trade that Zhou Mili had figured out on her own.

Halfway through the meal, Wang Ji, the ancestral hall custodian of the Yu Gui Sect, came to the tavern with Qiu Zhi, the Peak Master of Jiu Yi Peak, and a pair of young sword cultivators who looked like a perfect match, senior brother and sister Wei Gusu and Wei Xianyou.

The tavern was immediately filled with an uproar.

Upper five realm cultivators were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns in today’s Tongye Continent.

As for that favored disciple of Great Sword Immortal Wei Yingji…

There were some speculations about that child, possibly the peerless genius sword cultivator of Jiu Yi Peak.

Wang Ji cupped his fist in greeting and said with a smile, “Mountain Master Chen, we happened to have some matters to deal with in Bi Cheng Crossing, and heard that the Feng Yuan ferry had docked, so we came over. Sorry to disturb you.”

In the past, the number of intercontinental ferries in Tongye Continent was the same as the number of Ascension Realm cultivators.

Now, there were two intercontinental ferries from Bei Ju Luzhou, and two from Bao Ping Continent. One was the Luopo Mountain’s Feng Yuan ferry, and the other was from the Fu family of Old Dragon City, which were easy to recognize.

Chen Ping’an stood up, cupped his fist, and returned the greeting, “Mr. Wang, Brother Nian, Miss Wei.”

Mi Yu had just put a chopstick of food in his mouth and was too lazy to get up, so he just raised his hand and cupped his fist in greeting.

Mountain Master Chen and Zhou Mili were sitting on a long bench, Mi Yu occupied one, so there were only two long benches left.

Wang Ji took the lead in sitting down, opposite Chen Ping’an. Wei Gusu stood still, and so did his junior sister Wei Xianyou, but she had already taken the lead to move to the long bench next to Mi Yu.

Wei Xianyou gently reminded, “Senior brother, sit down, what are you standing there for?”

Wei Gusu had no choice but to sit next to Wang Ji.

Wei Xianyou smiled, “Sword Immortal Mi, we meet again.”

Mi Yu just smiled and nodded.

Wei Gusu took a sip of the wine with a heavy heart.

In fact, even before drinking, his heart was already broken.

Sect Leader Jiang had always talked nonsense, how could he be so accurate about matters of love between men and women?

Mi Yu also had his own difficulties. With the Hidden Official present, his martial arts were practically useless.

Chen Ping’an imperceptibly glanced at Mi Yu, who had already straightened his back and was sitting upright, like a gentleman who could walk through a garden of flowers without a single petal sticking to him.

Wang Ji’s expression was strange. How could a celestial realm sword cultivator be so insignificant?

If it wasn’t for the fact that the nickname “Mi Lan Yao” was widely known and couldn’t be faked, Wang Ji would have suspected whether Mi Yu was really a native sword cultivator of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Wang Ji asked, “Mountain Master Chen, shall we find a secluded place to talk after we finish eating?”

The entire Bi Cheng Crossing was private property of the Yu Gui Sect, and they had always only leased and never sold. The rent they collected from the various immortal abodes and the various dynasties that had opened businesses here was a significant income every year.
Chen Ping’an shook his head with a smile, “No need for such formalities, let’s chat while we eat.”

Wang Ji conveyed through his mind, “That Bao Fu Zhai (Treasure Trove Pavilion) wants to participate in the excavation of the Grand Canal, using four thousand Grain Rain coins as a deposit. The Ancestral Hall of Shenzhuan Peak has already received your flying sword missive. Just two days ago, a special meeting was held, and there wasn’t much opposition. They’ve already notified Sect Leader Wei. At least the secret letter clearly stated the Ancestral Hall’s intentions, and the vast majority are in favor of this matter.”

The contents of the Ancestral Hall’s meetings, regardless of size, cannot be easily leaked to outsiders. This is an unwritten rule on the mountain. Wang Ji’s candor stems from his recognition of the Qingping Sword Sect’s style and Chen Ping’an’s character. Furthermore, Qingping Sword Sect is merely informing outsiders about Bao Fu Zhai’s sudden involvement, as a matter of courtesy towards the Jade Decree Sect.

However, the most crucial aspect is Bao Fu Zhai’s mode of cooperation. It won’t involve too much of the established order, more like adding bricks and embellishments. Otherwise, not to mention the Jade Decree Sect, the Daquan Yao family would be the first to object.

Chen Ping’an placed a chopstick of vegetables in Xiaomili’s bowl, then raised his own wine bowl, gently clinking it against Wang Ji’s, and said with a smile, “It’s not necessarily a bad thing that the Ancestral Hall on Shenzhuan Peak has a bit of opposition. I see that Bao Fu Zhai seems to be somewhat mentally prepared for it.”

Wang Ji immediately understood and shared a drink with Mountain Master Chen.

Mi Yu felt like he’d broadened his horizons again. When scholars engage in commerce, they’re truly… seasoned.

Chen Ping’an said, “Regardless, Bao Fu Zhai has an excellent reputation for business, both on and off the mountain. It’s a golden brand built over many years. Moreover, I believe that Bao Fu Zhai’s focus is still the new Tongye Continent south of the Grand Canal in the future. Inevitably, they will have frequent interactions with the Jade Decree Sect. I’ve already met Senior Zhang, the old patriarch of Bao Fu Zhai. Being able to build a business to this extent, he naturally possesses both shrewdness and skill. However, I feel that Senior Zhang is still a man of passion. In the future, your Shenzhuan Peak might as well be more straightforward.”

Wang Ji nodded with a smile, “I have a general idea.”

After that, Chen Ping’an chatted with Qiu Zhi for a few moments. It seemed that this Peak Master of Jiuyi Peak had already exchanged several letters with Bai Xuan not long after returning to the sect. As expected of a hero listed on the Heroic Register, sharing blessings and enduring hardships together.

The two sides met by chance and had a pleasant conversation. After the meal, Zhou Mili even requested an extra pot of wine. When Chen Ping’an got up, intending to have Mi Yu settle the bill, Wang Ji smiled, “Since you’re here at our Bicheng Ferry, how can we let you pay for a meal?”

Wei Gusu immediately rose and said, “I’ll settle the bill.”

Zhou Mili said with a shy smile, “Senior Immortal Master Wang, I’ve already settled the bill.”

Chen Ping’an nodded with a smile. Wang Ji had no choice but to give up. After leaving the restaurant, Wang Ji led Qiu Zhi and the others away from Bicheng Ferry, summoning a talisman boat to return to the Jade Decree Sect overnight.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “How much did it cost?”

Zhou Mili held up three fingers.

Chen Ping’an was shocked, “Three Lesser Heat coins?! Are you rebelling? Are you slaughtering a pig?! Let’s go, let’s demand an explanation!”

Zhou Mili grinned. Chen Ping’an patted the little girl’s head and said earnestly, “Mili ah Mili, are you a little pig head? You actually obediently paid the money?”

Mi Yu was speechless.

Lord Hidden Official, isn’t your acting a bit too… clumsy?

“Wrong! They’re Snowflake coins.”

Unexpectedly, Xiaomili said triumphantly with a hearty laugh, “If I hadn’t ordered that pot of immortal brew at the end, less than two Snowflake coins would have been enough.”

Snowflake coins aren’t important; they’re for unregistered disciples. They can go down the mountain if they wish. Each strives in their own path, each cultivates in their own way. Whose pocket they end up in depends on their fate.

Lesser Heat coins are for direct descendants of the Ancestral Hall. Each one has a name and origin in Zhou Mili’s records.

Grain Rain coins… oh my, those are extraordinary. Unfortunately, Xiaomili hasn’t saved up a single Grain Rain coin despite saving for so long.

She, Pei Qian, and Sister Nuanshu, each has three money jars, each has three mountains of coins. They are all kept with Sister Nuanshu. One for copper coins, one for gold and silver, and one for immortal coins.

The little girl suddenly felt a bit guilty. “Good Person Mountain Master, actually, I bought the cheapest wine in the restaurant. The other kinds of immortal brew were too expensive, and I couldn’t bear to.”

Mi Yu wanted to offer some comforting words, like it’s alright, the thought is more important than the gift. It was already a great favor, and Wang Ji and the others should burn incense to the heavens for being able to drink a pot of wine.

But Lord Hidden Official was different. He ruffled Xiaomili’s hair and teased, “Why are you so stingy? Where did the dumb lake monster who persuaded me to buy a string of bells with Grain Rain coins go?”

Xiaomili chuckled, “Frugality!”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Like me, as expected, we’re not family if we don’t enter the same house.”

Mi Yu held the back of his head with both hands. Occasionally, women stole glances, but our Great Swordsman Mi remained steadfastly looking straight ahead.

“Good Person Mountain Master, where is there a place where a meal costs two or three Lesser Heat coins? Is there really such a place?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t there be? Not to mention Lesser Heat coins, there are even feasts that cost Grain Rain coins. Tsk tsk, every chopstick is eating immortal coins.”

“Wouldn’t it be difficult to lift the chopsticks?”

Chen Ping’an put on a serious face, raised his hand, made a gesture of holding chopsticks, and deliberately slightly trembled his wrist. “Of course, I have to pick up vegetables like this.”

“That’s really excessive eating and drinking.”

“Of course, if there’s a chance in the future, I’ll definitely bring you along to broaden your horizons.”

“Haha, then I’ll discuss it with the host, eat one less chopstick, take one less bite of food, drink one less sip of wine, and convert it into money for me.”

“That won’t do, that’s too demeaning, too embarrassing. I can’t say that. Looks like I can’t bring you along, otherwise, I’ll be accompanying you squatting by the table begging for money like a little beggar.”

“Haha, just thinking about it is very interesting, just thinking about it.”

Mi Yu found the conversation between the two, one big and one small, very interesting.

Zhou Mili, Chen Nuanshu, Cao Qinglang.

No matter their identities, they are all the beauty in Lord Hidden Official’s heart.

Like holding a small bowl, spring is warm and flowers are blooming, the sky is clear and the air is fresh, nothing to do today, peacefully and safely.

Regarding matters, don’t ask for gain, ask for effort, don’t seek outward. Regarding the heart, diligently cultivate precepts, concentration, and wisdom, and pray to heaven for blessings.
A young Emperor, on an incognito tour, arrived at a city within his realm, accompanied by a Golden Core Realm royal protector, a youthful individual who was once the closed-door disciple of a highly respected National Guardian, a Nascent Soul old immortal who had perished alongside the late Emperor in the capital. The former capital of the Great Abyss Dynasty was now a ruin, a historical site razed to the ground by the demon horde. Also present was a eunuch, the young Emperor’s personal attendant, and a General named Bao, of considerable rank, essentially a regional governor.

Greeting the entourage were Gu Qiu and his maid Xiao Fang, along with the martial artist Hong Chou, the rogue cultivator Wang Manmeng, and the seemingly sleepwalking Qian Hou’er (Money-Monkey).

In the early spring season, with numerous state sacrificial ceremonies, the current Emperor, not a cultivator himself, traveled here by ferry. Now, both groups approached the dilapidated residence together. Emperor Yuan Ying chuckled softly, “Gu Qiu, this matter is of great importance. You should have informed General Bao sooner, so we could have extended some hospitality. After all, that Immortal Master Cui is the master of a sect, and in the current Tongye Continent, the number of Immortal Sects can be counted on one’s fingers.”

The young Emperor did not intend to reprimand Gu Qiu.

The reason Yuan Ying’s court knew about this was rather convoluted. First, Qian Hou’er let slip to Wang Manmeng about Immortal Capital Mountain and the Azure Lotus Sword Sect. Wang Manmeng, with her sharp mind, despite her strained relationship with Hong Chou, still informed him of the group’s information, especially regarding the azure-robed guest named Cui Dongshan, who seemed to be from Treasure Bottle Continent. Once the northern neighbor was involved, Hong Chou immediately took it seriously, using his connections to get in touch with General Bao… which eventually alarmed Emperor Yuan Ying.

Facing an Emperor, Gu Qiu remained calm, saying, “General Bao is busy with both military affairs and civilian governance. I did not understand the details previously, so I dared not trouble him with such uncertain matters.”

The powerful General Bao’s face immediately turned awkward.

Yuan Ying brushed it off with a smile. They arrived at Qian Hou’er’s house, where Qian Hou’er, trembling, brought out two chairs, stammering, “Your Majesty, Sect Master Cui and Mr. Chen sat here that night. The chair positions are exactly as they were.”

This was Qian Jun’s first time interacting with the Emperor, and his speech was faltering.

Seeing Qian Hou’er’s hands shaking as he carried the chairs, Wang Manmeng covered her mouth and giggled. He could sit around the stove with a Sect Master from the mountains, chatting idly for half an hour, but he becomes so nervous upon seeing an Emperor from the mortal realm.

The old Great Abyss Yuan Dynasty was once a nation with deep roots in the northern Tongye Continent. Now, its territory was divided into three, because three members of the Yuan clan’s side branches from the vassal states had successively declared themselves Emperor, each claiming to be the legitimate successor, while the other two were illegitimate. In the past, the Great Abyss Yuan Dynasty and the Great Spring Yao Dynasty dared to resist the demon army’s invasion with all their might. The Yuan clan had gathered troops at the border, in the heartland, and in the capital, but unfortunately, unlike the Great Spring Yao Dynasty, they failed to defend the capital, and the dynasty ended. Now, the old dynasty was divided into three, and its national strength was naturally much inferior.

Among them, the new ruler Yuan Ying had gathered a group of old civil and military officials from the old Great Abyss Dynasty in recent years, but many generals, especially the younger generation, had defected to Yuan Li, who had also ascended the throne. In fact, Yuan Ying was secretly aware that they simply felt that his side could not offer them large enough official positions, the rewards were too small, and the bestowal of hereditary titles was stingy. They were simply comparing prices, and wise birds choose the trees to perch on. But the problem was that Yuan Ying really didn’t think that placing those warlords in important positions in the court and in various key passes would be a good thing for the court and the people everywhere.

Yuan Ying was not looking down on their origins. If they were truly talented, as long as they acted a little more properly, Yuan Ying would be willing to accept them, but each of them was holding onto their troops, drawing salaries for nonexistent soldiers, and demanding official positions and money. If it weren’t for shrewd advisors reminding Emperor Yuan Ying that it would be better to turn a blind eye and get through the current difficulties first, otherwise those arrogant and fierce generals would defect to other places, and the balance of power would shift, making it difficult to even preserve the dynasty. The urgent need had to be resolved first, and then the Great Abyss Dynasty could be unified slowly… but Yuan Ying did not agree. As a result, Emperor Yuan Ying, who did nothing and did nothing well, became indecisive and benevolent to a fault.

It had to be admitted that those who could truly fight had all gone to Yuan Li’s side. He was the most willing to give: “capital” mansions, titles, beauties, gold, and silver. As long as the various martial artists dared to ask, Yuan Li would give it. If he couldn’t give it temporarily, he would owe it. If they conquered territory and made military achievements, he would convert those territories into rewards… That’s why Yuan Bi wanted to form an alliance with him, but Yuan Ying knew in his heart that such a measure of drinking poison to quench thirst was nothing more than plotting with a tiger. In the end, Emperor Yuan Ying, who did nothing and did nothing well, became indecisive and benevolent to a fault.

Qian Hou’er was sweating profusely, his tongue tied, and he said vaguely, “Reporting to His Majesty, that night, Cui Dongshan sat on this chair, and this chair was sat on by his teacher. These two terrestrial immortals from Immortal Capital Mountain are extremely approachable. I don’t know why, but the two immortal masters and I were quite compatible, and we chatted for quite a while…”

Some flowery sayings were learned by Qian Hou’er from miscellaneous books and operas. Whether they were appropriate or not depended on luck!

Qian Jun was still in the dark, not knowing what great event had happened that required the presence of an Emperor.

He only hoped that he wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire. With his small arms and legs, he was so thin that he didn’t have much meat, not even enough to fill a gap between one’s teeth.

Yuan Ying’s expression was gentle, and he nodded with a smile.

The sudden appearance of a Sect-level neighbor was like a thunderclap to the Great Abyss Dynasty.

If Yuan Ying remembered correctly, it seemed that it had been three or four thousand years since the entire Tongye Continent had possessed a Sword Dao sect?

Since fortune or misfortune was unavoidable, Yuan Ying had carefully reviewed all the information about this city, and after weighing the pros and cons, he still insisted on making the trip himself.

Yuan Ying smiled, “Qian Jun, don’t be nervous. Tell me, what did the two immortal masters talk to you about that night?”

The young Emperor then asked people to bring two long benches from the main hall, smiling, “Let’s all sit down and chat.”

Qian Hou’er swallowed, sitting on half of a long bench. Yuan Ying couldn’t help but smile, “Qian Jun, do you drink alcohol?”
Qian Hou’er hesitated, glancing at Wang Manmeng out of the corner of his eye. Seeing her aloof expression, he thought, *Auntie, are you really this unsupportive?*

Hong Chou clasped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, Qian Jun can drink, but not too much. Half a catty of wine is best.”

Yuan Ying smiled and nodded. “Then bring a flagon of wine, and Qian Jun can drink as he sees fit.”

Yuan Ying said to Gu Qiu, “I’ve seen everything you’ve done in this city. Gu Qiu, you will temporarily fill the vacancy and oversee the city’s Chenghuang Temple. As for when I’ll rebuild the capital… well, future things are for the future. I won’t make grand promises here.”

Gu Qiu nodded silently.

Yuan Ying had originally wanted to say that she would promote Gu Qiu to the Chenghuang Temple in the capital, but she had never been good at this kind of heart-winning tactic, so she could only leave it at that.

“Hong Chou, you are a Sixth Realm Grandmaster. If you are willing, you can take a position under General Bao. As for the specific official title, we’ll discuss it later. At most, in half a month, the court will give you a definite answer.”

Upon hearing this, Hong Chou immediately stood up, clasped his hands, and accepted the order.

“Wang Manmeng, you are a Middle Fifth Realm Immortal from the mountains. If you are willing to establish your own sect, the court is willing to allocate a piece of land to you. As for financial matters, I won’t hide anything; the court is truly incapable.”

Wang Manmeng laughed. “Your Majesty is too kind. I’m just a Cave Dwelling Realm Qi Refiner, barely touching the edge of the Middle Fifth Realm. A wild cultivator, a woman, without even a proper Daoist temple, drifting here and there, I’m hardly worthy of being called an ‘Immortal.’ As for establishing a sect, I wouldn’t dare to dream of it. I’m used to a leisurely life and might not be suited for the officialdom of the mountains and rivers. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me.”

Yuan Ying’s expression was gentle as she nodded and smiled, “I wouldn’t dare to force you.”

Afterward, Qian Hou’er, emboldened by alcohol, recounted the contents of their casual conversation that night, word for word.

The more Emperor Yuan Ying listened, the more she felt… unfathomable depths. Especially that Mr. Chen, just what kind of sacred being was he? To actually be able to serve as a preacher for the master of a sect?

Gu Qiu suddenly spoke, “Your Majesty, we have visitors. Four in total. Two of them are Ghost Cultivators at the Golden Core Realm. As for the other two, I cannot discern their depths for the time being.”

Soon, people arrived at the outer courtyard, travel-worn and weary. Among the four, two were indeed Earth Immortal Ghost Cultivators.

Gu Qiu frowned slightly, but after quickly assessing them, the candidate for the city’s Chenghuang quickly relaxed. The paths of the living and the dead are different, good and evil are distinct, regardless of whether one is human or ghost.

It was Cao Qinglang, Cui Wei, Wu Gou, and Xiao Manying.

Yuan Ying waved her hand, signaling them not to be nervous, and stepped over the threshold into the outer courtyard.

The Confucian-robed youth had a gentle expression as he bowed and said, “Cao Qinglang, a listed disciple of the Ancestral Hall of Qingping Peak in Xiandu Mountain, greets Your Majesty.”

The stern-faced middle-aged man said calmly, “Cui Wei, the Enforcer of Qingping Sword Sect.”

The other two Ghost Cultivators followed suit, announcing their names, “Wu Gou, a Sacrificial Offering of the Ancestral Hall of Qingping Sword Sect. Xiao Manying, a Sacrificial Offering of the Ancestral Hall.”

The young emperor’s heart stirred slightly.

Why would a Hall Enforcer of the ancestral shrine speak later than a listed disciple?

Unfortunately, news from the mountains of Tongye Continent was blocked, let alone news from other continents. Some landscape gazettes could only be purchased at great expense from places like Bicheng Ferry and Taoye Ferry. Even worse, the court needed to borrow from those cultivators, but thankfully, those immortals were mostly family retainers of the old, wealthy and powerful ministers of the Great Yuan, and they never cared about such matters.

On the day of Lichun, the Qingping Sword Sect was newly established in the Xiandu Mountain area, with Cui Dongshan as its first Sect Master. Among the guests attending the ceremony were the Jade Gui Sect and the Daquan Dynasty.

The mountain and river gazette had only this much information.

Cui Dongshan? Yuan Ying asked some old cultivators with high Daos, and they all said they had never heard of this person.

Yuan Ying straightened her robes and returned the bow to Cao Qinglang. “Yuan Ying, a descendant of the Yuan clan of the Great Yuan, greets Immortal Cao, Enforcer Cui, and the two Immortal Sacrificial Offerings.”

Cao Qinglang smiled slightly. “Your Majesty needn’t stand on ceremony. Enforcer Cui, Sacrificial Offering Wu, and Sacrificial Offering Xiao and I have already roughly surveyed the livelihoods of the people in Your Majesty’s and Yuan Li and Yuan Bi’s respective jurisdictions.”

In fact, the other two emperors had more accurate news than Yuan Ying. Yuan Li, in particular, had even led the Guardian Real Person and the new Five Sacred Mountain Lords, ready to display their array and create a great spectacle, heading towards Xiandu Mountain.

Cao Qinglang said, “Governing a great country is like cooking a small fish, even the cleverest housewife cannot make bricks without straw. A country’s ruler who is eager for quick success may gain temporary power, but it is not a long-term plan.”

Emperor Yuan Ying was speechless for a moment.

Cui Wei said calmly, “Cao Qinglang is the direct disciple of Chen Shanzhu of the declining Luopo Mountain, so Cao Qinglang’s view is the view of the entire Qingping Sword Sect.”

Hong Chou and Wang Manmeng, who had been relatively calm, were both shocked. They looked at each other in consternation. In an instant, Hong Chou’s forehead was covered in sweat. He swallowed his saliva and asked with clasped hands, “May I ask Immortal Cao and Enforcer Cui, is Luopo Mountain the Luopo Mountain of the Bottle Continent? Chen Shanzhu… is he the Chen Shanzhu of the Bottle Continent?”

Cao Qinglang smiled and nodded. Cui Wei asked in return, “If not?”

As soon as this was said, the young emperor and his entourage were all like Qian Hou’er, sleepwalking.

But it was a good dream.

Riding Dragon Lane.

Xie Gou hesitated, but still did not reveal her true appearance. After being held down, she shrank her neck, rarely showing weakness and said: “Well, now we are all family, ”

She smiled: “Xie Gou? Why choose such a name, Bai Jing, Chaoyun, Waijing, Yaoling, all of them are pretty good. Now, be careful your dog head is unsafe. ”

Bai Jing is a sword cultivator, and Bai Jing is also the new owner of that “Wei Jia”. Therefore, in terms of inheritance, Bai Jing and Yang Zhi both belong to their own distinct lineages.

Xie Gou’s smile was forced.

Sword holder, sword servant, sword spirit?

Xiao Mo wanted to stand up, but “Chen Ping An” signaled Xiao Mo to sit down.

The wine table at the thatched shop in Riding Dragon Lane was like a vortex in the long river of time, or like well water not interfering with river water.

The Zen saying of the poet-monk goes, people pass over the bridge, the bridge flows, but the water does not.

Whether it was a coincidence or not, the secret had been revealed long ago.

That “Chen Ping An” smiled: “Xiao Mo, my true body is still in Tongye Continent, as for the me in front of you, I am just a poor person exiled by myself, of course I am still me.”

Xiao Mo hesitated, but still endured the awkwardness in his heart and said: “Xiao Mo has met Young Master.”
Bai Jing gazed at the peculiar entity and posed an equally strange question, “You and Chen Ping’an, who exactly devoured whom?”

For cultivators, the relationship between the Yang God avatar, the out-of-body Yin Spirit, and the true body is clear: who is the master and who is the subordinate is self-evident.

But with this fellow before her, the situation was far more complex.

As for inside the tavern, Zhao Denggao, Tian Jiuer, the white-haired boy now disguised as Konghou, and the young maiden Cui Huasheng, were all frozen in place.

She looked at the white-haired, demonic outsider and chuckled, “Playing the ‘statues’ game, are we?”

The white-haired boy’s eyes flickered slightly. Figuring that since they were all “family,” there was nothing to fear, he abandoned the wooden facade and immediately began to wave his arms and shout, “Old Ancestor Yin Guan, his Dao is boundless, his fist subdues three continents, his swordsmanship is unmatched, his bearing is peerless, his calculations are flawless…”

The white-haired boy’s arm movements stirred up streams of iridescent, glazed light, and the “words” he uttered scattered in the air like golden sand.

Chen Ping’an smiled genially and said, “Keep going, good words are never enough.”

The white-haired boy felt his throat about to burst into flames, and he gave a plaintive look. “Old Ancestor Yin Guan, forgive my shallow knowledge, I’m truly out of words.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Won’t you mull it over a bit more?”

The white-haired boy sniffed, his face full of grievances. “I’d have to consult a book, learn as I go.”

Bai Jing was slightly taken aback. “Konghou, you’ve been hiding quite deep.”

She had thought this neighbor was the kind of carefree celestial amusing himself in the mortal realm. She never imagined he was a deeply concealed Ascendant Realm cultivator.

Among cultivators, observing peers in the same realm is like looking at flowers through the mist, unlike pure martial artists who can discern a martial arts realm through breathing, footsteps, the aura of movement, and especially the subtle changes in the muscles and bones throughout the body, which are difficult to conceal.

Sensing Chen Ping’an’s gaze, Bai Jing understood and tentatively asked, “Need to make a vow?”

This palm-sized Huaihuang County, at last, allowed Bai Jing to witness what it meant to be a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers: first, the gatekeeper Immortal Guard, and now an Ascendant Realm demonic outsider who was merely an outer sect disciple of the Depleted Mountain?

Chen Ping’an patted Bai Jing’s sable hat and sat down beside her. “Konghou’s identity is indeed no small matter, but making a vow is unnecessary. A loose tongue isn’t such a great crime; it only costs a head.”

Bai Jing couldn’t help but sigh, “When humans reach the end of their rope, the heavens will always leave a way out.”

The white-haired boy noticed Xie Gou’s contemptuous gaze and glared back, “Looking at me sideways, are you?”

“Who do you think you are, you short stack?”

The white-haired boy stood akimbo, staring directly at Bai Jing.

Xie Gou spread his hands, “You win.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly asked, “Bai Jing, by seniority, isn’t Fei Fei your grand-disciple?”

Xie Gou thought for a moment, “I have countless disciples and grand-disciples, too many to count. Unless I confront Fei Fei face-to-face in a fight, it’s hard to be certain who taught her her Dao arts. I slept until dawn, and I was in a hurry to see Xiaomo after I left the Yelu River area. I didn’t even meet Fei Fei, that junior.”

According to Qing Tong, this Bai Jing once built a Daoist temple within the great sun of the Barren Wilds. Every few centuries, she had to rebuild the temple. Half of the demon cultivators in the Barren Wilds who practiced the path of refining the sun and worshiping the moon owed Bai Jing this favor. This was why Chen Ping’an first guessed that Bai Jing might be an “incarnation of fire essence” when he heard Qing Tong mention her. Unlike the many bright moons, even Ascendant Realm cultivators skilled in fire arts found it extremely difficult to reside within the sun for long. It was as if the Fire Dragon True Man, renowned as the foremost master of fire arts in the Great Domain, had failed to succeed on this path and could not use it to reach the Fourteenth Realm.

Ten thousand years ago, many talented cultivators possessed “divine” foundations for their Great Dao. They were reincarnations of broken-bodied deities. Though their divine nature was incomplete, they were naturally suited for cultivation, often breaking through realms at great speed. However, they found it more difficult to break through the Earth Immortal bottleneck than pure “Daoists.”

As for Xie Gou saying that he had “countless disciples and grand-disciples,” he was not boasting without basis.

Xie Gou cautiously glanced at the white-robed woman beside him. “Wow, she’s quite tall. She’s almost a head taller than me.”

Xie Gou then looked at Chen Ping’an, “Why ask me? Why go far when what you seek is near? You should ask the sword-wielder beside me.”

She glanced at Xie Gou, and then said lazily, “If it’s not the Fourteenth Realm, what’s there to care about?”

Xie Gou was annoyed. Usually, she was the one who would say such things, reducing the “Fourteenth Realm” to the Ascendant Realm.

“So it seems I am indeed shorter. Perhaps by more than a head.”

She was too lazy to pay attention to Bai Jing, and slowly stated, “Suppose there was a mountain on earth. And that it takes this Huaihuang county as it’s place of great fortune.”

“One day, declare it to the world, establish a doctrine and claim a mastership.”

“Kou Ming, Cui Chan, and Qi Jingchun as the three chief and vice masters. Zheng Juzhong governs with law, Liu Jubao manages coin.”

“These few not only can guide the way for others but also have someone take the lead, set an example, open paths, turn defiles into highways, and, at the same time, complement each other, learning, teaching, being effective, each with their own strengths. Just saying, in an ancestral hall you’d have five Fourteenth Realm cultivators.”

Even Bai Jing listened, dumbstruck.

“Are Fourteenth Realm grand cultivators cabbages in a roadside garden, clustered together, one after another?”