A dusting of snow, more rain-kissed than truly white, graced Chuzhou’s final days of the first moon. The skies cleared, revealing mountains robed in verdant hues, save for Mount Piyun, cloaked half in green, half in lingering winter’s touch.

It resembled a reclusive beauty draped in fox fur over a jade gown or a learned scholar, aloof from the common world, standing solitary amidst the falling snow.

That night, as twilight painted the skies of Haoran, a Golden Core cultivator named Gao Jun and Zhong Qian, a warrior of the Gilded Body realm, arrived as guests at Fallen Mountain, though lodged in separate residences, their paths yet to cross.

Unable to bear the thought of surreptitiously drawing upon the mountain’s abundant spiritual energies, Gao Jun felt a rogue’s unease. Thus, unable to focus on her practice, she ventured out alone, ascending the stone steps to the summit of Spirit Gathering Peak. There, bathed in moonlight, she beheld a kindred spirit perched upon the railing, a wine cup in hand, a celadon jade flagon by his side, and a spread of spiced meats laid before him.

Gao Jun did not recognize him, yet he knew her instantly: the Lady of Lakeside Mountain Sect, draped in saffron robes, her beauty as clear and serene as the autumn waters, a lotus bloom in full splendor.

The burly man started, “Headmaster Gao! What brings you here?”

Gao Jun replied with a puzzled tone, “And you are?”

Hearing a familiar voice, Gao Jun felt a wave of warmth wash over her like a sip of mulled wine on a winters night.

Shame flushed the large warrior’s face. “I am Zhong Qian, a nobody from Northern Jin. Should you recognize me, Headmaster Gao, it would be quite astonishing.” He added, “I have never stepped foot in the Lakeside Mountain Sect, but I saw a portrait of you hanging in the study of a young noble of the Northern Jin. You are far lovelier in person.”

Understanding dawned. Gao Jun gave a respectful bow. “Greetings, Master Zhong.”

Zhong Qian hurriedly put down his wine and returned the gesture. “An honor.”

As strangers, neither possessed a gift for easy conversation, and a silence descended upon them.

Under the watchful gaze of the moonlit mountain wind, these countrymen, cast far from their homeland, stood entwined in thoughts, their hearts heavy with unspoken sentiments.

Gao Jun, guided by Chen Ping An, had come to Fallen Mountain, her first impression of the real place being far removed from the envisioned celestial palace, her impression of a superior immortal mountain was one that left much to be desired, she could only sense an abundance of heavenly energy that seemed to be much greater than her own Lakeside Mountain Sect. The place appeared normal, and the only thing worth noting was the lack of wonderous and fantastical features that one would imagine of a mountain blessed by the Heavens.

Zhong Qian broke the silence. “I was brought here by a strange old man and a woman named Peixiang. Who led you here, Headmaster Gao?”

“The mountain’s master,” Gao Jun replied, “the Sword Immortal Chen Ping An.”

Zhong Qian chuckled dryly. “Indeed, it seems Headmaster Gao commands greater respect.”

The old man who claimed to be Fallen Mountain’s steward bore an ancient grudge against Zhu Lian. As for the enchanting Peixiang, she seemed to be a revered Guardian.

Zhong Qian revealed, “I hear there will be a gathering of the Ancestral Hall on Dawn Peak tomorrow.”

Gao Jun nodded. “Sword Immortal Chen invited me to observe the proceedings.” She added, “I intended to decline, considering my position, but ultimately acquiesced.”

Gao Jun had left her sanctuary with the desire to understand more about the people and happenings beyond her horizon. What better way to gain insight into Fallen Mountain and the Haoran world than to witness a session of the Ancestral Hall?

Zhong Qian grinned. “I too shall attend, having agreed to serve Fallen Mountain as a nominal retainer.”

Gao Jun hesitated, then asked, “Master Zhong, do you intend to return home?”

Zhong Qian shook his head. “No. Unlike Headmaster Gao, I find any place with good wine to be home. I never held strong ties to my homeland anyway. I hear they brew hundreds, even thousands, of immortal wines here, though they demand those rare mountain spirit coins I’ve yet to see. As a nominal retainer, I shall receive a monthly stipend. Besides,” he added with a gleam in his eye, “I hear there are fists to be learned on Fallen Mountain. The Master of Nanyuan, Zhong Qiu, now resides here. I intend to seek his tutelage, perhaps even become his disciple and learn his true art.”

A name carries weight. Among the esteemed warriors gathered in Nanyuan’s capital, the Demonic Cult’s Supreme Lord, Ding Ying, was known for his volatile nature, avoided by all. Yu Zhenyi of Lakeside Mountain Sect seemed ethereal, beyond reach. Liu Zong, the Knife Grinder, and Tang Tieyi, each possessed a Grandmaster’s aura, yet were marred by controversy. Thus, to the young aspirants, none held the reverence and kinship afforded to Zhong, lauded as “Sage of Letters, Master of Martial Arts.”

Halfway down the mountainside, within a courtyard, Peixiang wove her ‘Palm Gazing at Rivers and Mountains’ art, carefully observing the actions and words of the two guests on the peak.

Zhu Lian reclined on a rattan chair, hands folded over his stomach, eyes closed in repose, making no effort to stop Peixiang’s less-than-honorable act.

The conversation of the two guests reached them clear as day.

Peixiang questioned, “Yan Fang, do you find Gao Jun beautiful?”

When alone, she often used the alias Zhu Lian had used when courting women within the Qingfeng city walls, Yan Fang.

Zhu Lian smiled faintly. “Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. To the disciples of Lakeside Mountain Sect, Gao Jun is surely the most captivating woman in the world, one for whom they would gladly die.”

Peixiang scoffed. “She is nothing special. Her looks cannot compare to Hongxia’s.”

Zhu Lian turned to glance at Peixiang’s palm, where Zhong Qian was now savoring spiced meat with his wine. He chuckled, “The taste of home lies in the senses.”

Zhu Lian believed Zhong Qian, despite his claims, would soon yearn for home, while Gao Jun, if she chose to leave, would do so with resolute finality, her future practice rarely touched by sentiment.

Peixiang asked, “Will there be more ‘Golds’ in the blessed land?”

Zhu Lian nodded. “A pointless question. The real concern lies in the number of Earth Immortals and Spirit Refining martial artists appearing each cycle.”

The old chef rubbed his hands, blowing a breath of air. “Melting snow, thawing spring, great and small fish burst forth from the ice.”

Peixiang inquired softly, “Yan Fang, regarding your return home…”

Zhu Lian chuckled. “Aside from being your coachman, what feelings could I have?” He continued, “The blessed lands of Haoran are the same, simply the wealthy eat the poor, and the officials eat the wealthy. The poor eat dirt, and the immortals eat the mortals. What is the point when it all turns to dirt and ash in the end.”

Peixiang asked, “How do you view Gao Jun and Zhong Qian’s different choices?”

Zhu Lian shrugged lazily. “The sparrow knows not the glory of the wild, circling within its small yard.” He said, “Two flowers bloom, and each one tells its tale.”

Peixiang frowned. “Do not speak in riddles. Do you mean Gao Jun is unwilling to leave her comfort in the blessed land, choosing to be a big fish in a small pond, and thus making the wrong choice? Or that Zhong Qian, settling on Fallen Mountain, is like leaving the wild for a yard, destined to become a mediocre warrior, never reaching his potential to become a Grandmaster?”

Zhu Lian opened his eyes, shaking his head. “I have said it before, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Different choices for the same person, the same choices for different people, two flowers bloom, and each one tells its tale.”

Peixiang rolled her eyes. “You always have an excuse.”

Zhu Lian chuckled. “Alas, a Nascent Soul doesn’t read.”

Peixiang raised an eyebrow. “The Fox Kingdom’s erotic pictures have always sold well, Qingfeng City’s second-highest moneymaker after the Talisman beauties. Now, they’re piled up in the Fox Kingdom’s vaults. Is this not turning away money?”

Zhu Lian rubbed his temples, sighing. “Fallen Mountain dares not touch such profit-making ventures. If you have the courage, bring it up to the Young Master at tomorrow’s Dawn Peak council. I certainly won’t.”

Peixiang suggested, “Now that we have a lower sect, Chief Zhou has a cloud cave in the Tongye Sect. Let’s sell the Flower Goddess Mountain Rouge list to Chief Zhou for a discount. That revenue can be my personal savings. You can contact the cloud cave and arrange the deal, then we can split the profits. Isn’t that another steady source of income?”

Zhu Lian did not comment on the idea, instead questioning, “Do you have any descendants in the Fox Kingdom with hopes of forming a Core?”

Peixiang nodded. “So, I need more money. Though I have some savings, I’m spending more than I’m earning. It’s not sustainable.”

Zhu Lian smiled. “Truthfully, if you don’t consider the long term, the quickest way to earn money is through illicit means.”

The old chef understood the Fox Kingdom’s ruler was indirectly complaining, using the erotic picture sale as a starting point.

Since moving from Xu’s Qingfeng City to the blessed land, the Fox Kingdom had been isolated, cut off from the outside world, especially the Qi cultivators who saw the Fox Kingdom as a place to roam and a gentle land. The middle-fifth-realm Fox spirits who had power in the Fox Kingdom lost their side money, although Peixiang and her core supporters were in charge of the Fox Kingdom, this did not stop the grumbling that slowly bubbled up, and in the long run the people would not stop talking and their hearts would become unsettled, eventually a small ripple would be created that would cause a flood that was impossible to control. In addition, the Fox spirits were not like cultivators, or even the mountain sprites who had opened their minds and changed shape, they had long been accustomed to the hustle and bustle of the mortal world. Suddenly closing the door to practice in solitude made the Fox Kingdom like a slightly larger Taoist temple. Although the Fox spirits were to be enlightened, Fallen Mountain and the Fox Kingdom had a written agreement that as long as a fox cultivator had the hope of reaching the blessed land, they could travel to the other four countries of the blessed land to travel in the human world and get involved in love.

Peixiang said carefully, “Since the Fox Kingdom has taken root in the blessed land, the heavenly energy has almost doubled. If you convert it to immortal money, Fallen Mountain is already very generous to the Fox Kingdom.”

Zhu Lian crossed his arms, tapping his thumbs together, and smiled. “You need not worry about that sort of thing, or you will become a foreigner.”

Peixiang was suddenly nervous.

Zhu Lian said slowly, “Foxes are naturally lively, but Fallen Mountain is a quiet place. This contradiction is temporarily irreconcilable, and it naturally affects the relationship between the Fox Kingdom and the blessed land. If you were on another mountain, which had a treasure trove like the Fox Kingdom that could be operated at will and generate wealth, they would never ask the Fox Kingdom to close its doors, after all, don’t argue with anyone, but don’t argue with money. All we have to do is allocate a piece of land to you in the blessed land, a thousand miles in radius will be enough. When the doors of the Fox Kingdom are opened, no matter what means you use to make money, we at Fallen Mountain will only collect money from each and every one of your fox cultivators. You’re happy, we’re happy too, why not?”

“So the Young Master has discussed this with me more than once, how to find a compromise that would not interfere with the normal development of the four countries of the blessed land, and at the same time allow the sentient beings of the Fox Kingdom to not feel that life is bitter, well, the Young Master used the word ‘bitter’. I smiled at the time and said that with no worries about food and clothing, and faster cultivation, and not being used as pimps and prostitutes by those Qi cultivators who come to the door just to take off their pants, what’s the bitterness, at most it’s ‘cold’, but the Young Master said that ‘bitter’ is a more appropriate word, the bitterness of life is that it suddenly turns from noisy to deserted, which is the same mentality as the old man who has retired from the officialdom, even if he is still richly fed, he can also enjoy himself in the forest, but there is a different kind of bitterness from being full of traffic to being abandoned.”

“Because it was a private chat with no outsiders present, I had no qualms about mentioning this to the Young Master every time, and said that once you want everything to be perfect, it will be as difficult as ascending to the heavens, with your hands and feet tied, and it will be difficult everywhere, but as long as you don’t think too much, things will be as simple as can be, such as allowing the Fox Kingdom to open its doors earlier, and then Fallen Mountain will learn from the national master Cui Yan’s inscription on the mountains, and throw some iron rules and regulations to you, deliberately watching for a few years, and then Fallen Mountain will conduct an accountable and lawful accounting in the autumn, and the fox kingdom will kill those who break the rules, and lock up those who break the rules, and to put it bluntly, as long as you do this, the source of fox fur talismans will be available, and what is the price of a fox fur talisman in Bao Ping Chau now? Isn’t it more profitable than selling a few erotic pictures, Peixiang?”

“But the Young Master said to wait a little longer. He wants to wait for the people of the four countries of the blessed land to gradually get used to the fact that the immortals, monsters and ghosts are often walking in the world on the mountains, and then you will appear, even if the number is larger, it will be common, the secular masters are used to the things of the immortals and ghosts, and then from the separation of the secluded and the co-existence of the people and ghosts, there is a prototype of adapting to the local customs. At the same time, you are like a sealed mountain, and Fallen Mountain forces the fox kingdom Qi cultivators to focus on cultivation for 30 or 50 years, and then go out again in the future, with higher realms of cultivation, from the early days of two or three people traveling together, to the future of traveling alone, and there will be fewer accidents during this period.”

“In the end, the Young Master treats all of you foxes as living people, otherwise, do you think the Young Master really doesn’t know that the benefits of the plan I proposed outweigh the disadvantages, but perhaps in the Young Master’s eyes, this ‘disadvantage’ is often the lives of a few or dozens of foxes, which can be redeemed by a ‘wait and see’ that is destined to have a smaller short-term benefit.”

“In short, the Young Master cares more about your Fox Kingdom than you, the ruler of the Fox Kingdom.”

Peixiang sighed quietly, “The mountain master has a heart of gold.”

Zhu Lian said with a calm expression, “Favors should start light and then grow strong, and then from strong to light, they will turn into hatred. Penalties should go from strict to lenient, first lenient and then strict, and people will resent their cruelty.”

“So the reason why the lower sect was chosen in Tongye Island, and Cui Dongshan was appointed as the first sect master, and not Cao Qinglang, and the Young Master returned to Fallen Mountain to cultivate, I may be the happiest person, without exception.”

Zhu Lian was silent for a moment, then looked up at the night sky and smiled, “The more hope we have for this world, the more kindness we give, whether the world returns kindness or returns malice, the more we will care, the more we will suffer.”

“If you feel that it doesn’t matter, then that is probably a kind of cultivation.”

Zhu Lian raised his palm, reached out and grabbed it, clenching his fist, “There are only two kinds of strong people in the world.”

“What did I get from this world. Or ambition and fierce energy, with a dignified spirit, taking it in a proper way, leaving my name in the history books, or scheming and plundering, fiercely fighting for a lifetime of wealth and fame, it’s hard to have it done by me, if I don’t make it difficult, who would dare to start it.”

Zhu Lian raised his other hand and waved it lightly outward.

“What have I given to this world. When poor, I take care of myself, my reputation is not obvious, but my heart is immortal, and I read articles by candlelight again, when I am rich, I help the world, I want to make a world-shaking contribution, I take the blame for myself, and I walk slowly on thin ice.”

Finally, Zhu Lian looked up at the sky in a daze, and said a strange sentence.

“Young Master, Master, Young Master… lending is like giving, and collecting debts is like begging.”

The Ancestral Hall Meeting at Jise Peak was scheduled for 9:00 am.

Today at 7:00 am, the square was indeed a bit deserted compared to before, thanks to Cui Dongshan.

There was only Mountain Lord Chen Pingan, Grand Steward Zhu Lian, Law Enforcer Chang Ming, and Spring House Warden Wei Wenlong.

Right Protector Zhou Mili, Chen Nuan Shu, Chen Lingjun, Xiao Mo, Guo Zhujiu, and Pei Xiang.

There was also Mountain Monarch Wei Bo, who was universally recognized as wearing the same pair of pants as Fallen Mountain.

The uninvited Xie Gou, and the white-haired boy with the pseudonym Konghou, were also present, standing next to Guo Zhujiu, who was yawning.

In addition, there were those who were not called to attend the meeting today, such as the gatekeeper Immortal Wei, but the Taoist Immortal Wei had never been entered into the Fallen Mountain genealogy, and Zhao Shuxia was still practicing boxing in the bamboo building.

There were also Zhao Luan, Cen Yuanji, Zhang Jiazhen, Chang Ming’s direct disciple Nalan Yudie, Konghou’s disciple Yao Xiaoyan, Shi Rou from the Yalong Alley New Year’s shop, Zhou Junchen, and Zhao Denggao and Tian Jiuer from the Cao Tou shop.

Chen Pingan first introduced Gao Jun and Zhong Qian, and then introduced the identities of the people on Fallen Mountain to them respectively.

Gao Jun and Zhong Qian both looked a bit awkward, after all, it was the first time they had seen the so-called “immortals” listed in the records of the blessed land.

The Law Enforcer Ancestor of Fallen Mountain turned out to be a woman, Chang Ming, and it was unknown whether it was her name or her Daoist name. She was very tall, slender, and habitually squinted and smiled.

The deity in white robes with a golden ring in his ear, Mount Bei Monarch Wei Bo, said that he welcomed Gao Jun and Zhong Qian to Piyun Mountain as guests.

The black-clothed little girl with two sparse, slightly yellow eyebrows and a cotton bag slung across her shoulders was Fallen Mountain’s mountain protector. The pink-skirted girl with gentle eyes and a gentle demeanor greeted the two guests.

The green-clothed boy who liked to drop his sleeves when he walked was named Chen Lingjun, and his Daoist name was Jingqing. He wanted to say something, but in the end he nodded with a straight face and did not ask about the other party’s realm.

The young man with the yellow hat and blue shoes looked gentle and smiled slightly. According to Mountain Master Chen’s introduction, Xiao Mo was a “sword cultivator”, and he was followed by a sable-hatted girl with red cheeks.

A white-haired boy holding a book, although he was a handyman disciple of the outer sect, claimed to be the scribe officer of Fallen Mountain, so he was able to attend the meeting today and record the proceedings.

The last person to be introduced was the girl with a copybook and inkstone hanging from her waist, named Guo Zhujiu, who was Chen Pingan’s direct disciple.

After that, the appointed auspicious time arrived, and under the guidance of Chen Pingan, the group entered the Ancestral Hall of Jise Peak one after another. Gao Jun keenly noticed that there seemed to be no sequence, and everyone was very casual. For example, Law Enforcer Chang Ming and Mountain Monarch Wei walked at the end, but the white-haired boy who was a handyman disciple followed Chen Pingan, and the sable-hatted girl who was named very… casually, only stopped at the door, waved goodbye to Xiao Mo, and said that she would wait obediently outside. As a result, Chen Pingan said that she could listen in today, and Xie Gou immediately reached out to help her adjust her sable hat and straighten her clothes. Gao Jun only felt a sense of ritual that should have been present in this girl, probably because this Xie Gou had a low realm and was not very qualified?

However, the arrangement of seats in the Ancestral Hall was still orderly, which made Gao Jun seem to understand something.

Chen Nuanshu brought the incense tube, and after Chen Pingan led the way in burning incense, everyone took their seats. Because Gao Jun and Zhong Qian were outsiders for the time being, there was no need to offer incense to the three portraits hanging there.

Gao Jun found that her position was near Wei Bo, and across from her sat Xie Gou, who was attending the meeting out of turn. He was sitting upright and looked solemn.

Zhong Qian was sitting next to Zhu Lian and Pei Xiang.

The black-clothed little girl looked at Law Enforcer Chang Ming eagerly, and she looked gentle and nodded with a squint.

Then Zhou Mili started to open the cotton bag and distribute melon seeds, and Chen Lingjun helped Nuan Shu bring tea and water, and took the initiative to hand Wei Bo a teacup, smiling brightly, and saying Wei Brother, thank you for your hard work.

Wei Mountain Monarch is not a reliable backer, Master is home, Wei Brother.

The first thing was to make up for Guo Zhujiu’s apprentice-acceptance ceremony and genealogy registration.

According to Chen Pingan’s meaning, it was enough to drink a bowl of apprenticeship tea, but after Guo Zhujiu handed over the apprenticeship tea, she knelt down and kowtowed without saying a word, making a loud bang.

Nuan Shu and Zhou Mili had already brought in tables and chairs and prepared pens, ink, paper and inkstones, and Chen Pingan personally wrote Guo Zhujiu’s name and origin in the genealogy.

The second thing was to announce that Zhong Qian would serve as a nominal retainer of Fallen Mountain, and this time it was Law Enforcer Chang Ming who sat at the table and was responsible for writing down the name.

Next, Chen Pingan proposed that Konghou serve as a scribe monk of Fallen Mountain, which meant that according to the rules of the mountain, Konghou would automatically be placed under Law Enforcer Chang Ming.

So Chen Pingan added a sentence, asking Konghou if he was willing.

The white-haired boy was like he had been hit with a blunt object, his face was full of unwillingness, if he agreed in a muddle-headed way, it would be the same as working under Chang Ming, and if he walked out of the Ancestral Hall, how would he, as a master, have the face to see his disciple Yao Xiaoyan?

Chang Ming smiled with a squint.

Chen Pingan turned to smile and asked, “Warden Wei, what do you think?”

“Whether it’s following the old customs of the mountain, or Fallen Mountain making an exception for Daoist Konghou, I have no opinion.”

Wei Wenlong also looked helpless, ever since his master came to Fallen Mountain, Yin Guan always “respectfully” called him Warden Wei every time they met.

Chen Pingan looked at Law Enforcer Chang Ming, and she smiled, “It’s up to Daoist Konghou himself, I don’t care whether he becomes a monk of the Law Enforcer lineage or not.”

The white-haired boy murmured, I’m happy if I don’t join the Law Enforcer lineage, but I’m also worried.

Ordinary people don’t know, even Pei Qian, had said that the most unprovokable person in Fallen Mountain was this Law Enforcer who always smiled.

“Since there are no additional ideas, Konghou doesn’t need to join the Law Enforcer lineage.”

Chen Pingan did not continue to make things difficult for Konghou, he had already sent a boxing manual, so it was not too much to exchange for a scribe officer.

The third thing was that Fallen Mountain was preparing to purchase new mountain peaks in the surrounding area.

Dragon Spring Sword Sect had completely withdrawn from Chuzhou, and several mountain peaks had been moved away by Mountain Monarch Wei Bo using his natal supernatural power, leaving behind a huge lake that had not yet been named.

Clouds and mist rose in the conference hall, and a landscape painting of the mountains in the west appeared on the ground.

Zhong Qian only felt that his eyes had been opened, could he really do this?

Gao Jun’s eyes lit up, and after quickly thinking about it, it seemed that his Lakeside Mountain Sect and the Songlai Kingdom court, which already had several Qi cultivators, could also copy this?

While Chen Lingjun was eating melon seeds, he stared at Piyun Mountain and giggled to himself. If only he had enough money, he might as well buy Wei Brother’s mountain peak as well.

Wei Bo held a teacup and smiled at Chen Da Ye, who was laughing foolishly.

Chen Lingjun noticed Mountain Monarch Wei’s gaze, and immediately stopped eating melon seeds, and his gaze wandered, no longer staring at Piyun Mountain.

Wei Wenlong looked at the Hidden Official, Chen Pingan nodded lightly, and Wei Wenlong stood up and walked into the clouds and mist, introducing the historical origins, aura background, and various mountain materials and treasures of nearly sixty mountain peaks one by one. Each mountain peak, except for a very small number of special mountain peaks such as Dragon Ridge Mountain that had absolutely no possibility of being purchased, had a rough estimate. The purchase method was not complicated. One was that Fallen Mountain directly purchased with Immortal Coin, and as long as the other party was willing to sell, the price could be negotiated. The second was to exchange goods for land, and if there was a difference from the other party’s psychological expectations, Fallen Mountain would use various natural treasures, spiritual weapons, and magical treasures to make up the difference. The last was to let the other party set the price, and Fallen Mountain would weigh the pros and cons and consider whether to buy it. The only purpose of the three methods was to maintain friendship even if the transaction failed, and there was no forced purchase or mountain peak that Fallen Mountain had to include in its possession. After that, Wei Wenlong began to report his treasury holdings, which was also the reason why this Warden had previously asked the Hidden Official in his heart, because it involved confidential matters, and Gao Jun of Lakeside Mountain Sect was ultimately an outsider, and should not be easily revealed.

The current sources of income for Fallen Mountain mainly came from three trade routes. The first source of wealth that Chen Pingan personally created for Fallen Mountain was mainly in Northern Ju Island, including the Bone Beach Hemp Sect, Spring Dew Garden, Colorful Sparrow Mansion, and Cloud City, which encompassed the entire southeastern region of Northern Ju Island, like an arc, plus a group of island immortal mansions at sea. Among them, the robes woven by Colorful Sparrow Mansion were a stable source of income, and the Great Li court of Treasure Bottle Island and the mountain and water deities of Northern Ju Island were the main purchasers. The second horizontal trade route mainly followed the Ji River, with Floating Water Sword Lake, Dragon Palace Blessed Land, and later added Lingyuan Duke Shen Lin and Longting Marquis Li Yuan, as well as the Chongxuan Department Cloud Pavilion of the Great Yuan Dynasty. There was also the Red Candle Town Three Rivers, Dong Shui Jing, the Fan family of Old Dragon City, and Sun Jiashu’s third route. In addition, there were the commissions for the various immortal ferries docking at the Ox Horn Mountain Ferry. As for the income from the baggage shop and the Riding Dragon Alley shop, it could be ignored for the time being. There was also a lotus root blessed land that was about to reach the upper-grade, and it also had a fox country that was once the most important source of wealth for the Xu family of Qingfeng City. The treasures that Fallen Mountain picked from the lotus root blessed land that were born in response to the times and rose in response to the situation were currently small in number.

After having Green Ripple Sword Sect as a lower sect, according to the old rules of the Vast World, Green Ripple Sword Sect was required to hand over at least 20% to 30% of its profits to Fallen Mountain on a regular basis.

For example, the inkstone mountain in the Jiang family’s cloud cave blessed land, Green Ripple Sword Sect and the Jiang family divided it 50-50, Fallen Mountain and Green Ripple Sword Sect, although they were related as upper and lower sects, still had to settle the accounts of their close relatives.

Without these money-making “wealth paths”, Emperor Song He would not have been so sincere in taking the initiative to invite Chen Pingan to serve as the Great Li National Master.

The level of the realm, the size of the reputation, the number of identities, in the final analysis, lies in the word “redeem”.

The depth of a country’s national strength lies in iron cavalry, education, literary and martial arts, and in the end, it all comes down to the word “money”.

Zhong Qian was not particularly interested in these, but Gao Jun silently recited the names of those immortal mansions in his heart one by one.

While discussing the purchase of mountain peaks, Chang Ming suddenly smiled and said, “Please allow me to say something off-topic, Mountain Master, should the matter of embezzling 600 gold essence copper coins from the Spring House treasury be brought up on the agenda on this occasion?”

Chen Pingan smiled bitterly.

“The matter is very simple, it’s just that the Mountain Master has a use for these gold essence copper coins in the Spring House treasury.”

Chang Ming continued, “If the Mountain Master still feels that there is a suspicion of using public office for private gain and feels uneasy, then let’s discuss it with everyone today and listen to everyone’s thoughts. If everyone except the Mountain Master has no objection, then the Mountain Master can only have his own way of doing things, and the Ancestral Hall meeting will discuss it in detail next time.”

Previously, on the Wind Kite Ferry boat going to Tongye Continent, Chen Pingan had just returned to the Vast World from Colorful World with Xiao Mo, and had taken the initiative to mention this matter to Chang Ming, because he wanted to create an orderly river of time in order to refine his natal flying sword “Well in the Moon”. According to Chen Pingan’s estimate at the time, it would not be a problem to build a preliminary river of time with the gold essence copper coins that Ning Yao had given him in Colorful World. The problem was that Chen Pingan’s “sword refinement” was a bottomless pit that was destined to be filled with gold and silver mountains, and the three kinds of immortal money were meaningless, only gold essence copper coins were useful. At that time, Chang Ming had persuaded Chen Pingan, but Chen Pingan had said that he would not be polite to her and would discuss the matter in detail when he returned to Immortal Capital Mountain. As a result, when the Green Ripple Sword Sect was built, Chen Pingan did not mention this matter at the first Ancestral Hall meeting, and because it was a lower sect, Chang Ming, as the Law Enforcer of the upper sect, should not have raised this issue in the Ancestral Hall of the lower sect, so she had to wait patiently.

Chen Lingjun was a little surprised, Law Enforcer Chang Ming didn’t even call his old master Young Master anymore? Why did she change it to Mountain Master? What does it feel like… murderous intent?!

Zhu Lian immediately lowered his head and drank tea, minding his own business and staying out of the matter, determined not to wade into muddy waters. Everyone said yes, then it was yes, everyone said no, then it was no, I’m just a steward and a chef, my words carry little weight, you can pretend that I don’t exist.

Wei Bo shook his robe, crossed his legs, and ate melon seeds. Law Enforcer Chang Ming’s words were very chewy and more refreshing than drinking tea.

Chang Ming smiled and said, “Of course, according to the rule that the Mountain Master set himself in his early years, anyone who wants to use the money and treasures that have entered the treasury needs to have the meeting hall decide whether to pass it or not, and the Mountain Master is no exception.”

Chen Lingjun looked deeply thoughtful and asked in confusion, “Is there such a rule? Why can’t I remember it?”

Xiao Mo smiled and said, “Anyway, I haven’t heard of it.”

Xie Gou quickly echoed, “Xiao Mo is right!”

A very reasonable principle was written in the book: when a woman is outside, she must support her man.

In the past, she had suffered a great loss because she didn’t understand this matter? Otherwise, she and Xiao Mo would have been married for who knows how long, and they might even have a bunch of kids.

Chen Pingan glared, “Xiao Mo, Xie Gou, when did you two come up the mountain, what do you know.”

Xiao Mo didn’t dare to argue with Young Master, so he smiled and looked at Mili. Mili immediately understood and used the phrase “the new scribe officer, do you remember this?”

The white-haired boy immediately pretended to take out the book from his sleeve and said, “Please allow me to carefully check it, everyone, please wait a moment, the evidence is as solid as a mountain, the black and white words are the most honest.”

Chen Pingan said angrily, “Alright, alright, I didn’t intend to be polite to Chang Ming about this matter. I’ll use at least half of the 600 gold essence copper coins in the Spring House.”

Chang Ming immediately corrected, “Mountain Master, how can you say that you’re being polite to me? We’re not related, I can’t bear this responsibility.”

Wei Wenlong smiled and said, “Those two gold essence copper coins were earned directly and indirectly by the Mountain Master, so I have no objection to the transfer.”

Only then did Zhu Lian nod and say softly, “No objection.”

Wei Bo helped to make a final decision, “Then someone is just acting like a drama queen.”

Gao Jun and Zhong Qian looked at each other. Were the disciples of the Fallen Mountain genealogy so bold? Wouldn’t this be considered an encirclement of Chen Pingan, the master of the mountain? Although they all supported Mountain Master Chen, why did each of them speak so frankly?

In fact, this was because Gao Jun and Zhong Qian had not yet adapted to the local customs. Otherwise, Chief Zhou, Pei Qian, Cui Dongshan, Zheng Dafeng, Sword Immortal Mi, Old Immortal Jia… if all these strong and reliable subordinates were present, the scene would be, heh heh.

Hearing Wei Bo’s evaluation, Xie Gou immediately looked at this Northern Mountain Monarch with admiration. Good, very good, responsible and principled, and dared to speak the truth, he was a good man!

Guo Zhujiu was eager to try and asked, “Master, do you need me to take them on one-on-one? I think it’s a bit difficult, but it’s not a big problem!”

The sable-hatted girl and the white-haired boy secretly looked at each other and nodded. If Alliance Master Guo spoke, they would have no choice but to follow.

Chen Pingan rubbed his temples, certain habits of the Summer Palace should not be brought to Fallen Mountain. He waved his hand at Guo Zhujiu, took a sip of tea, and gently put down the teacup. “Then that’s settled. I’ll take out 300 gold essence copper coins today, and the Spring House will help me reserve the remaining half.”

Chang Ming laughed in his heart, “Young Master, I’m forced to do this, please forgive me, please forgive me. Today’s matter, please ask Young Master to say hello to Mili, please, please, don’t let Pei Qian hear about it.”

Chen Lingjun’s voice was very straightforward, “Old Master, do you want me and Guo Zhujiu to join forces to repel the enemy? But to be honest, Chang Ming and the others are really kind-hearted, but this Mountain Monarch Wei is the most outrageous. If you don’t stop me, Old Master, I’m going to stop being a brother and start scolding him directly?”

Zhu Lian gathered his voice