Li Baoping had accumulated a mountain of words, but when she truly saw Chen Pingan, each phrase that reached her lips fell back into her belly.

Chen Pingan reached out and gestured towards Li Baoping’s forehead, “You’ve grown quite a bit taller.”

Li Baoping hopped once, a worried look on her face, “Little Martial Uncle, how is it that you’re growing even faster than me? I can’t catch up!”

Chen Pingan helped the little girl wipe away the tears on her face, but Li Baoping suddenly crashed into his embrace. Chen Pingan was caught a little off guard, and could only gently hug the little girl, smiling knowingly. It seemed she hadn’t grown up too much after all.

The old scholar Liang watched this scene, and what could he say? It was like admiring the most fresh and heartwarming painting in the world, the spring breeze caressing the willow, the green mountain reflecting in the clear water.

A poem went, “Once golden wind and jade dew meet, they surpass countless mundane encounters.”

So the old scholar was quite happy, smiling cheerfully.

One large, one small, they greeted the old scholar and then stepped into the academy.

Li Baoping was like a little oriole, chattering non-stop, introducing Chen Pingan to the situation within the academy.

The two arrived at the guest house, and Chen Pingan saw a tall old man and Pei Qian standing at the door. Pei Qian silently widened her mouth, making a “Mao” shape with her lips.

Having traveled the world for so long, Chen Pingan subconsciously wanted to clasp his fist in greeting, but quickly stopped himself, imitating the scholars by cupping his hands and bowing to the deputy head of the Cliff Academy.

Mao Xiaodong nodded in acknowledgement, taking a step forward, “Chen Pingan, let’s talk.”

Leaving the twelve-year-old Li Baoping and the eleven-year-old Pei Qian at the entrance of the guest house.

One in a red ruqun, one a little charcoal.

Li Baoping looked at Pei Qian, who didn’t know how to place her hands and feet, lowering her head and not daring to meet her gaze.

Li Baoping walked around Pei Qian once, finally standing back where she was, asking, “You’re Pei Qian? Little Martial Uncle said you’re his first disciple, and you walked a very long road together?”

Pei Qian drooped her head, nodding.

Li Baoping asked, “Little Martial Uncle said you have a great talent for martial arts, and you’re very clever, just like I was back then, able to endure hardship. He also said your greatest ambition is to ride a little donkey and roam the world?”

Pei Qian raised her head, glanced at Li Baoping, then lowered her head again, nodding.

Li Baoping thought for a moment, saying, “Alright, then I’ll give you two gifts as a meeting present, come with me.”

Pei Qian swallowed, not daring to move, although Pei Qian knew that this young lady who liked to wear red clothes was definitely not a bad person, but she was still afraid of being led into a dark alleyway, where Li Baoping would turn around and put a sack over her head, then throw her into some corner of the Great Sui capital outside the academy.

Li Baoping had already turned and ran a few steps, turning her head to see Pei Qian standing there like a wooden statue. Understanding, she said, “Little Martial Uncle told me a lot about you, saying you’re timid. Okay, put a yellow paper talisman on your forehead and then come with me.”

Pei Qian quickly took out a Treasure Pagoda Suppressing Demons Talisman, slapping it onto her forehead, only then did she have some courage, slowly walking forward.

Li Baoping’s pace was very fast, but in order to accommodate Pei Qian’s walking speed, she could only take tiny steps, her arms swinging like she was on a swing, running backwards to Pei Qian’s side, “Pei Qian, you’re Little Martial Uncle’s first disciple, even if you’re in a strange place and afraid of encountering strangers at the academy, you have to pretend to be very brave, and besides, with me here, no one would dare bully you, don’t worry.”

Pei Qian squeezed out a smile, taking out a Lamp Lighting Talisman, handing it to Li Baoping, truly a weather vane and opportunist, only thinking of ingratiating herself with Li Baoping first, as for the bold ambitions of the past, like arm wrestling and competing with Li Baoping, she had long thrown them to the back of her mind.

But as soon as she took it out, Pei Qian regretted it a little, feeling that this Li Baoping would look down on her, never imagining that Li Baoping would directly take it, dip it in her saliva, and vigorously slap it on her forehead, laughing heartily.

Pei Qian also laughed along.

Pei Qian could even see through the Patriarch of Mount Taiping’s supernatural power of the Abbot, so in fact she could also see some fluctuations in people’s hearts, some people’s hearts were like a mass of ink, pitch black, some people’s hearts were like a ball of paste, muddled and without any opinion, for example, the female ghost Shi Rou was just swept by the wind and rained on, there was only a small golden seed that was not easily seen, just sprouting, with a little bit of green, and for example, Zhu Lian was particularly scary, with bloody rain and stormy winds, lightning and thunder, but faintly there was a Jingxiu Pavilion, rich and imposing.

But some people… were as pure as glazed glass, just like this young lady in red, so Pei Qian felt particularly ashamed of herself.

Seeing that she was still walking slowly, Li Baoping gave up the plan of rushing back to her own guest house, accompanying Pei Qian in a leisurely stroll, casually asking, “I heard from Little Martial Uncle that you encountered Cui Dongshan, did he bully you?”

Pei Qian didn’t dare to tell the truth, only saying that it was alright.

Li Baoping made a grabbing motion with her hand, breathed on it, “That guy is just asking for a beating. When he returns to the academy, I’ll vent your anger.”

Pei Qian turned her head to take a peek at Li Baoping, and was immediately filled with admiration.

Besides her master, from Old Wei and Little White and the other four, to even Sister Shi Rou, and even the Yellow Ox demon, who wasn’t afraid of Cui Dongshan? Pei Qian was even more afraid.

Cui Dongshan’s heart was like a huge, dark pool, but it wasn’t the kind of stagnant dead water, vaguely, there was a so-called Flood Dragon that Pei Qian had seen in books and portraits, with a shadowy outline, slowly swimming. Every time the Flood Dragon’s body approached the surface of the water, it caused ripples that chilled the heart, but fortunately beside the pool, there were piles of golden and silver books, which made it seem less gloomy and terrifying, otherwise how would Pei Qian dare to be with Cui Dongshan.

The tall old man, with the ruler hanging on his waist, was the true backbone of the Cliff Academy, Mao Xiaodong.

Mao Xiaodong led Chen Pingan all the way to his own study, exchanging almost no polite greetings with Chen Pingan along the way.

After the two sat down, Mao Xiaodong, who had been wearing a stern face, suddenly smiled, stood up, and actually bowed to Chen Pingan.

Chen Pingan quickly stepped aside, believing that he definitely didn’t deserve this sudden Confucian courtesy.

After Mao Xiaodong stood up, he smiled and said, “If it weren’t for your protection back then, our Cliff Academy’s literary lineage would have been severed for the most part.”

Chen Pingan didn’t know how to answer.

Mao Xiaodong explained, “Just now, there were many eyes and ears outside, it wasn’t convenient to say private things. Little Martial Brother, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

Chen Pingan smiled wryly, about to say something.
Mao Xiaodong waved his hand magnanimously, “We’re family, just keep it in your heart.”

Chen Ping’an reluctantly sat down.

Mao Xiaodong smiled, sizing up Chen Ping’an. He reached out, “Little Martial Brother, let me have a look at your travel pass. Let me broaden my horizons.”

Chen Ping’an stood up again and respectfully handed over the document with both hands.

Mao Xiaodong took it and chuckled, “We also have to thank Little Martial Brother for subduing that little rascal, Cui Dongshan. If that fellow wasn’t worried about you visiting the academy someday, he probably would have turned Little Dongshan and the Great Sui capital upside down.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Actually, Cui Dongshan is more afraid of Master Wen Sheng. It doesn’t have much to do with me.”

Mao Xiaodong playfully tapped Chen Ping’an, “Little Martial Brother, this demeanor of yours is just like our Master’s back then. The greater the feat he accomplished, the more humble he became when facing us disciples. ‘Oh, it was nothing, nothing at all. A small matter, a minor contribution, just a bit of talking.’ ‘You lot, stop flattering me! It’s not like Master argued and won against the Dao Ancestor or the Buddha. Why are you all so excited? What, did you all initially think Master couldn’t win? Is that why you’re so pleasantly surprised now that he did? You, Mao Xiaodong, your smile is the most insincere. Go outside and read your books in the courtyard with Zuo You. Oh, and remember to tell Zuo You to bring Xiao Qi some late-night snacks when he sneaks out over the wall. Xiao Qi is still growing, and remember, nothing too greasy. It’ll keep people awake at night if they smell it…’ ”

Mao Xiaodong spoke of their Master’s past anecdotes, laughing heartily.

Chen Ping’an’s head began to spin.

How come it feels even harder to chat with him than with Cui Dongshan?

Chen Ping’an asked, “I heard from Old Man Liang at the entrance that Lin Shouyi is doing very well, so there’s no need to worry. But Li Huai seems to be struggling with his studies. Is he finding it very tiring?”

Mao Xiaodong smiled gently, “With that little rascal Li Huai’s optimistic nature, even if the sky were to fall, he’d still be lying on the ground playing with his colorful wooden puppets and clay figurines. He might even be happy that he doesn’t have to listen to the teachers’ lectures today. You don’t have to worry about Li Huai. Even though he always comes last in his studies, it doesn’t stop him from eating and drinking. His parents and sister came to the academy not long ago and left him some money. He didn’t waste it, though. Except for one time, he was caught by the duty teacher while he was leading two classmates in drinking water from bowls as if it were wine, gnawing on big chicken legs. After standing as punishment and getting caned, Li Huai even burped from being so full. The teacher asked him if the cane tasted better or the chicken leg tasted better. Guess what Li Huai said?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “If getting caned means you get to eat chicken legs, then the cane tastes good too. But I’m guessing Li Huai got caned until he was full after saying that.”

Mao Xiaodong gave a thumbs up, “Worthy of being the Little Martial Brother who escorted them all the way here. You really understand this Li Huai the best.”

Then Mao Xiaodong smiled, “Although Li Huai is slow to awaken to reading, he’s not actually stupid. Many of his peers only know how to recite, but if Li Huai truly understands something, he truly makes it his own. That’s why the teachers actually have a good impression of Li Huai. They don’t scold him too much, even when he’s last.”

Chen Ping’an tentatively said, “The principles of working harder at studying and not being lazy still need to be instilled in Li Huai.”

Mao Xiaodong’s eyes shone with approval, “That’s exactly right. Back then, Li Er had just caused a great disturbance in the imperial palace, scaring everyone half to death. The teachers liked Li Huai to begin with, and secondly, they were worried that Li Er was too protective of his son. For a while, they didn’t even dare to say a harsh word. So I scolded those teachers. After that, things went back on track. Cane when he deserves it, scold when he deserves it. That’s how it should be between teacher and disciple.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “After that incident, did Li Huai and the other children have any aftereffects that they themselves weren’t aware of?”

Mao Xiaodong laughed, “With me around, and with that devious Cui Dongshan keeping an eye on things, nothing too disastrous happened. These kinds of things are unavoidable, and they’re part of learning etiquette and reading to understand principles. Don’t worry too much about it.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Knowing when to tighten and when to loosen, without going to extremes. It’s just that Mountain Lord Mao will have to put in more effort.”

Mao Xiaodong complained, “Is it that hard to call me Martial Brother Mao? What, do you think I, Mao Xiaodong, am far inferior to Qi Jingchun and Zuo You, or even to Cui Chan and Cui Dongshan? Is that why you’re unwilling to call me Martial Brother Mao?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “It’s not like that. I beg Mountain Lord Mao for understanding.”

When it came to matters concerning the lineage of literature, Chen Ping’an couldn’t afford to be polite or casually perfunctory.

Mao Xiaodong seemed somewhat dissatisfied, but secretly nodded in agreement.

If this young man, influenced by a show of enthusiasm or a stern face from someone within his own Cliff Academy, had changed his mind…

He might be qualified to call himself Martial Brother Mao, but it might not be appropriate for him to be Master’s last disciple, Little Martial Brother to Qi Jingchun and Zuo You.

Observing the small to understand the big.

Mao Xiaodong had this much discernment.

Back then, among the four direct disciples of Wen Sheng, the first disciple, Cui Chan, was the most erudite and versatile. Qi Jingchun had the deepest and most orthodox scholarship. Zuo You, who advocated “the Great Dao follows its own course,” was a late bloomer and had the highest cultivation. And there was another guy who seemed dull and slow to mature, but he was the one that Master had loved the most, besides Qi Jingchun. In fact, when the dispute between the third and fourth disciples led to the decline of the once glorious Wen Sheng lineage, only this person followed Master, accompanying him to the very end when he imprisoned himself in the Gongde Forest.

And among the many registered disciples, the likes of him, Mao Xiaodong, were not considered outstanding.

From this, one can see how much attention the Wen Sheng lineage commanded back then, how brilliant its literary fortune was.

Mao Xiaodong felt some regret. Glory is always battered by the wind and rain.

Qi Jingchun left the Central Earth Divine Continent and came to the Treasure Bottle Continent to establish Cliff Academy. Outsiders said that Qi Jingchun wanted to check and deter his former First Senior Brother, Cui Chan, who had betrayed their Master. But Mao Xiaodong knew that this was not the case at all.

Zuo You was even more decisive, directly leaving the human world and venturing out to sea alone in search of immortals.

And that legendary, one-track-minded simpleton who was once the only one who could chase Ah Liang all over the streets was now silent for over a hundred years.

Mao Xiaodong gathered his chaotic thoughts, finally focusing his gaze on this young man.

Now Master has taken in this closed-door disciple who inherits the lineage of literature.
In the nearly three years after Chen Ping’an passed by the academy without entering, Mao Xiaodong felt both curiosity and worry. She was curious about what kind of scholarly seed Master had accepted, and worried that this young man, who hailed from the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven and was held in high regard by Qi Jingchun, might prove disappointing.

However, when Mao Xiaodong used the divine powers of a Confucian Sage, from her seat in the academy, to observe Chen Ping’an’s words and deeds from afar, she found neither astonishment nor disappointment.

She simply felt that this humble youth named Chen Ping’an was precisely the kind of disciple Master would accept, the kind of junior brother that Qi Jingchun would be willing to take in his Master’s stead. It was as it should be.

Afterward, Chen Ping’an inquired in detail about Lin Shouyi’s cultivation and studies, asking if there would be any conflict between the two.

He asked if Gao Xuan and Yu Lu, as friends, would have a friendship that was not pure enough.

He asked if Xie Xie’s state of mind would be affected after becoming Cui Dongshan’s servant.

Mao Xiaodong answered each question in turn, occasionally flipping through the travel document.

Once she had a general understanding of everything, Chen Ping’an finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Mao Xiaodong smiled and asked, “Your own matters, others’ matters, you think about so much. Aren’t you tired?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head honestly and said, “Not at all.”

Mao Xiaodong nodded and said softly, “Learning and practicing martial arts and swordsmanship are actually the same in principle. Both require building momentum. A gentleman flourishes when the time is right, but remains hidden like a dragon or a serpent when it is not. That’s why a sudden inspiration, a brilliant idea, feels like dazzling prose descends from the heavens, unseen and unobtainable by the world.”

Chen Ping’an felt that these words were a bit too grand, and he felt uneasy.

Mao Xiaodong suddenly asked in a low voice, “Did Master ever mention me?”

Chen Ping’an hesitated, but still answered honestly, “It seems… he didn’t.”

Mao Xiaodong slapped her knee and exclaimed angrily, “How can there be such a biased Master in the world?!”

Mao Xiaodong was not willing to give up and asked, “Think again carefully. Could you have missed something?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head decisively.

Mao Xiaodong stroked her beard and smiled confidently, “Presumably, Master has his disciple in his heart, so naturally, there’s no need to constantly mention her.”

Chen Ping’an felt relieved.

This Mountain Lord Mao in front of him was definitely a disciple personally taught by the old Sage Master.

Perhaps because she thought Li Baoping was easier to talk to, Pei Qian walked faster and more lightly.

However, when Pei Qian arrived at Li Baoping’s study, she saw stacks of copied books on the bed, and almost knelt down to kowtow to Li Baoping.

No wonder Pei Qian had boldly shown off a little just now, saying that she copied books every day, and Li Baoping just said “Oh” and didn’t say anything else. At first, Pei Qian felt that she had finally regained some ground and was a little proud, straightening her back slightly.

Li Baoping poured a cup of tea for Pei Qian and told her to sit wherever she liked.

She climbed onto the bed, moved the small bamboo box next to the head of the bed to the table, and took out the narrow saber “Xiangfu” and the silver gourd that A’Liang had given her.

Li Baoping said, “I’ll give these to you.”

Pei Qian looked at the narrow saber and the small gourd. She was more discerning now and looked up at Pei Qian, asking a rhetorical question, “They’re very, very expensive, right?”

Li Baoping didn’t deliberately hide anything and said honestly, “A’Liang said in private that this Xiangfu saber is of average quality, just a half-immortal weapon. This small gourd, which was swindled from the Sword Immortal Wei Jin of the Wind and Snow Temple, is much better. It’s one of the seven sword-nurturing gourds that grew on the gourd vine planted by the Daoist Ancestor himself during his early years of cultivation. Sword cultivators in the world use this to nurture their flying swords, which will be more powerful. Pei Qian, you’ve already started learning the sword, so you can take it and use it.”

Pei Qian’s tongue was already tied, and she stammered, “But I’ve only just started practicing the sword, and I’m practicing very sloppily. Besides, I’m not a sword cultivator, and I’m too stupid to nurture a Natal Flying Sword in this lifetime…”

Li Baoping asked directly, “Do you like Xiangfu and the little gourd?”

Pei Qian timidly nodded.

Li Baoping scratched her head and sighed in her heart.

How could Little Uncle Master have found such a simple and foolish disciple?

Pei Qian became more and more uneasy, her eyes glancing at the mountain of books on the bed and then at the narrow saber and silver sword-nurturing gourd on the table.

Pei Qian had a flash of inspiration and said softly, “Sister Baoping, these are such precious gifts. I don’t dare to accept them. Master will scold me.”

Li Baoping blinked her eyes, “Then you can tell Master that I’m lending them to you. Lending them for a year or ten years is lending, lending them for a hundred years or a thousand years is also lending. Anyway, I won’t ask you for them, and you can take them to travel the world with peace of mind, right?”

Pei Qian drooped her head, “Oh, right.”

Li Baoping changed her position and sat on the long bench next to Pei Qian, comforting her, “Don’t feel like you’re stupid. You’re young, after all. Little Uncle Master said that you’re a year younger than me.”

When Pei Qian heard this, it seemed to make sense, and she immediately raised her head and smiled, resting her hands on the table and asking cautiously, “Sister Baoping, can I touch them?”

Li Baoping suddenly stood up, scaring Pei Qian, Li Baoping gestured to Pei Qian not to panic, and then told Pei Qian to watch carefully.

As a result, Pei Qian saw Li Baoping suddenly draw her sword, hold it with both hands, take a deep breath, and slash down at the gourd.

Pei Qian looked like a silly little goose.

Li Baoping’s slash was quite domineering, but the small gourd was smooth and just bounced towards Pei Qian, who subconsciously slapped it away.

The silver sword-nurturing gourd smacked Li Baoping in the face.

With a bang.

The gourd fell to the ground.

Li Baoping, who was stunned for a moment, started bleeding from her nose.

Pei Qian felt like she was doomed.

Li Baoping was still holding Xiangfu in her hand. Could it be that the next slash would cut off her head?

Unexpectedly, Li Baoping raised her hand, wiped it casually, put the Xiangfu saber back into its scabbard familiarly, and gently picked up the sword-nurturing gourd with her toes, holding it in her hand, and put it back on the table.

After sitting down, Li Baoping smiled happily at Pei Qian, “Pei Qian, that block and slap you did just now was very beautiful, very Jianghu-like! Not bad, not bad, worthy of being my Little Uncle Master’s disciple.”

Pei Qian looked mournful, pointed to Li Baoping’s nose, and said blankly, “Sister Baoping, you’re still bleeding.”
Li Baoping wiped her nose again, examining her palm. There did seem to be blood flowing. Composed, she stood up, walked to the bed, pulled out a sheet of xuan paper from the stack, tore off two wads, tilted her head back, and stuffed them into her nostrils. She then plopped down beside Pei Qian with an unconcerned air. Pei Qian’s face was as white as snow, leaving Li Baoping utterly baffled. What was wrong? It was as if the miniature gourd had smashed into this kid’s face. But even if it had been a direct hit, it wouldn’t have hurt that much. Li Baoping stroked her chin, scrutinizing the dark-skinned Pei Qian. She found that this disciple of Little Martial Uncle had rather peculiar ideas, so peculiar that even she, Li Baoping, couldn’t keep up. As expected of Little Martial Uncle’s first disciple, she had some tricks up her sleeve!

Pei Qian, suppressing a pang of heartache, hesitantly drew out her beloved yellow gourd from her sleeve. She placed it on the table and gently pushed it towards Li Baoping. “Sister Baoping, I’ll give this to you as an apology.”

Li Baoping was a little annoyed. This Pei Qian was being too formal. She glared and said, “Put it away!”

With lightning speed, Pei Qian obediently returned the gourd to her sleeve.

Leaving Mao Xiaodong’s study, the last rays of the setting sun gave way to approaching twilight. Chen Pingan set out to find Li Huai, who should have been listening to the Master’s lecture.

Through the academy window, Chen Pingan immediately spotted Li Huai, holding his book high in the air, while his head bobbed like a chick pecking at rice, fast asleep behind it.

Beside Li Huai sat two children of the same age, one brimming with mischievousness, antsy and constantly looking around. He spotted Chen Pingan early and locked eyes with him.

The other child sat upright, listening intently to the lecture.

Liu Guan noticed the young man in white smiling at him. Knowing he was too young to be an academy teacher, he secretly made a fist and punched his palm in a provocative gesture.

Immediately, the teaching master roared, “Liu Guan!”

Liu Guan obediently stood up.

Li Huai, lost in a beautiful dream, was jolted awake, his soul scattered by the shout. He lowered his book and looked around blankly.

The master immediately called out, “And you, Li Huai! You two will copy the *Exhortation to Learning* five times tonight! And don’t let Ma Lian help you!”

The lesson had ended, and the old master, his face stern, walked out of the schoolhouse.

He nodded to Chen Pingan, who had been paying attention.

Chen Pingan returned the gesture with a bow.

Stepping out of the noisy classroom, which had suddenly erupted into joyful chaos, Li Huai’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Chen Pingan?!”

Chen Pingan smiled and waved.

Li Huai grinned, then suddenly shouted, “Chen Pingan, experience the invincible fist of Grandmaster Li!”

Li Huai then dashed towards Chen Pingan with a confused six-step stance, only to have Chen Pingan press down on his head with a palm.

Li Huai struggled for a good while before finally settling down, his eyes red. “Chen Pingan, why did you come so late? My sister left a long time ago. If you had met her, and I had played matchmaker, you two could have exchanged glances, whispered sweet nothings, and courted under the willows by moonlight. I could be calling you brother-in-law by now.”

Chen Pingan was both amused and speechless.

Li Huai grabbed Chen Pingan’s arm and turned to Liu Guan and Ma Lian, smiling. “This is Chen Pingan, the one who gave me the book satchel and wove straw sandals for me! I told you he’d come back to see me at the academy. See, now do you believe me?”

Liu Guan rolled his eyes.

So, this was the Chen Pingan that Li Huai had been droning on about until their ears were numb.

Ma Lian quickly bowed to Chen Pingan.

Li Huai laughed unrestrainedly, then suddenly stopped. “Have you seen Li Baoping?”

Chen Pingan nodded. “I met Little Baoping first after arriving at the academy.”

Li Huai nodded vigorously. “Let’s go find Li Baoping together later. She has to thank me. I was the one who invited you to the academy. Back then, when she was up on the mountain, she even wanted to beat me up. Hehe, little girls, do they think they can outrun me? What a joke! I, Li Huai, have now achieved great power, swift as the wind, scaling walls and flying over rooftops…”

Chen Pingan coughed.

Li Huai suddenly noticed that Liu Guan was gloating, and Ma Lian was fidgeting. He slowly turned his head and saw Li Baoping behind him, along with a dark-skinned little girl. Li Huai felt an instant connection, because she looked a lot like Chen Pingan when he first met him.

Li Baoping crossed her arms and sneered. “Li Huai, I’ll give you a hundred steps head start. Whether you hide in a tree or on the outhouse roof, it’s up to you.”

Li Huai said awkwardly, “Li Baoping, in light of the fact that Chen Pingan actually came to the academy, how about we call it a tie?”

Li Baoping smiled. “A tie?”

Li Huai thought for a moment. “Okay, then consider it a narrow defeat on my part?”

Li Baoping, for the sake of Little Martial Uncle, decided not to argue with Li Huai this time.

Seeing that Li Baoping didn’t seem like she was going to punish him, Li Huai immediately became arrogant again. Grabbing Chen Pingan’s arm, he skipped with joy. “Where are you staying now? Do you want to go sit at my place first?”

Pei Qian’s eyes lit up. This Li Huai was a kindred spirit!

The group went to the guest house where Chen Pingan was temporarily staying.

Ma Lian really wanted to follow Li Huai, but Liu Guan dragged him away for dinner.

Zhu Lian was still traveling and had not returned.

Shi Rou remained in her guest house, never seeing anyone.

Living inside a Confucian academy, how dare any actual celestial being or ghostly entity flaunt themselves in such a place?

Shi Rou felt that every breath she took was a desecration of the academy, filled with guilt and reverence.

This was the world of Haoran.

Chen Pingan, Li Baoping, Pei Qian, and Li Huai.

They just barely filled a table as they ate the academy’s specially prepared guest house meals.

Sitting across from Chen Pingan, Li Huai was the loudest. As long as Chen Pingan was there, he wouldn’t even fear Li Baoping.

Li Huai asked, “Chen Pingan, after we finish eating, do you want me to take you to find Lin Shouyi? That guy is hard to see nowadays. He’s living a happy life, often leaving the academy to play outside. I’m so envious.”

Chen Pingan smiled. “It’s currently Xu hour, a time period that cultivators value. It’s best not to disturb them. I’ll go after Xu hour has passed. I don’t need you to lead the way. I’ll find Lin Shouyi myself.”

On the path of the Great Dao, every bit counts.

Some cultivation rules apply everywhere.
For instance, a single day is governed by the four seasons, allowing no slackness. At midnight, heaven and earth are clear, best suited for introspection, nurturing life force, and connecting the small world within the body with the grand world outside through the Bridge of Longevity. At dawn, one cultivates vital energy, benefiting the Qi reservoirs and meridians. At midday, one uses the fire of Yang to refine Qi into liquid essence. At dusk, one refines the essence into spirit, storing every drop within the vital “mansions” of one’s natal acupoints, accumulating a robust foundation for the Great Dao.

Beyond the four divisions of a day, each month and year also possesses its own specific observances.

The fundamental principle of the Great Dao lies in mending and sharpening the innate nature with acquired practices. Acquired methods are akin to polishing a mirror with water, gradually making it brighter, ultimately reaching the legendary state of flawless clarity.

The crucial elements lie in those subtle changes. Once one crosses the threshold of cultivation and begins the ascent, a single day of neglect reveals what has been lost, leaving no room for laziness.

Understanding these profound mysteries illuminates many derived rules that may initially seem veiled in mist. For example, emperors and rulers of mortal dynasties are forbidden from cultivating beyond the middle five realms. Similarly, cultivators gradually distance themselves from the mundane world, unwilling to be swept along by the currents of worldly affairs, preferring to cultivate within blessed grotto-heavens brimming with spiritual energy. Descending the mountain for worldly experience is merely a means to temper the mind, bearing no actual impact on improving one’s cultivation. This is often seen as an unavoidable compromise. Furthermore, cultivators who attain the Ascension Realm are forbidden from leaving their mountain peaks without permission, or from greedily absorbing the spiritual energy and fortune of other places.

Cui Dongshan once jested that with the emergence of Qi refiners seeking immortality, the higher their cultivation, the more unwilling they are to abide by rules, and the more frequently rules are disregarded. This causes the human world below to become shaky, like a stool with loosening mortise and tenon joints.

The Confucian Sages, the heads of the Great Harmony world, find the task of repairing these cracks quite arduous.

Speaking of “family education,” the Daoists of the Azure Sky world are the most worry-free. If a Grand cultivator grows too bold and displeases them, a celestial from the Jade Capital’s five cities and twelve towers, upon receiving an imperial edict from a “tower-master” of the Three Teachings, will swiftly descend and simply slap them to death. Some Grand cultivators, however, manage to escape this fate and strike the heavenly drum on a platform to petition for justice. Historically, only the Hibiscus Crown Grand Hierarch, the eldest disciple of the Dao Ancestor, would frequently listen to their grievances, helping them to be exonerated or, at the very least, lessen their punishment. There have even been instances of outright dismissal of punishment, with the celestial of the Jade Capital being rebuked and severely punished instead.

If the Dao Ancestor’s youngest disciple, Lu Chen, is in charge, it all depends on his mood. If he’s in a good mood, everything is easy, and it might even be an opportunity. If he’s in a bad mood, the petitioner might face even greater penalties.

But if it’s Dao the Second who is overseeing the Jade Capital…

No one would dare to strike the heavenly drum to proclaim a grievance.

Because Dao the Second would undoubtedly execute them directly, and their remaining souls would likely be dragged into his palm, into the most refined “Thunder Pool Purgatory” in all creation.

Heaven and earth are vast.

A mortal scholar, even if fond of traveling, might not traverse an entire country in their lifetime. Even after becoming a cultivator, they wouldn’t dare claim to be able to traverse an entire continent. And even those fortunate enough to reach the upper five realms, the celestial immortals on mountain peaks, wouldn’t dare claim to have traveled across all the heavens.

Li Baoping doesn’t like to talk much while eating.

Pei Qian doesn’t dare to.

So it’s all Li Huai making a ruckus. Li Baoping glared at Li Huai a few times. He was revealing too many academy secrets, so what was left for her to tell their Little Master-Uncle?

Li Huai shook his head, still daring to provoke Li Baoping, a case of “nothing to lose,” knowing that she would settle the score later.

Chen Pingan didn’t say much, eating slowly and deliberately as always, mostly adding food to the children’s plates.

Li Huai suddenly asked, “Chen Pingan, why did you change your clothes? You don’t even wear straw sandals anymore. Be careful; it’s hard to go from extravagance to frugality…”

Before Li Huai could finish, he started moaning and groaning.

Li Baoping and Pei Qian each kicked Li Huai under the table.

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “I did consider wearing my old clothes and straw sandals when I came to the academy, but I was afraid of embarrassing you. This outfit is because traveling the world requires caution, and the clothes themselves aid in cultivation. I’ve grown accustomed to wearing this Jinli robe. But I don’t find my old clothes uncomfortable either.”

Li Huai grimaced and said, “I almost didn’t recognize you outside the school. Chen Pingan, you’ve gotten so much taller and less dark-skinned. I’m not used to it.”

Chen Pingan teased, “You haven’t changed, Li Huai. Still fall asleep as soon as you open a book?”

Li Huai sighed. “Chen Pingan, you don’t know how hard it is for me to study now. It’s more tiring than traveling on the road back then, especially when the masters are lecturing. I have to hold my pee, almost to the point of death.”

Li Baoping tapped the table with her finger, signaling Li Huai to watch his words.

Li Huai said, annoyed, “Annoying, even more rules than the masters.”

They were almost finished eating, and there wasn’t much food left on the table.

Chen Pingan said, “I need to go to the Maoshan Abbot later; there are some things to discuss. Afterwards, I’ll go thank Lin Shouyi and Yu Lu. You guys can wander around by yourselves, but remember not to break the academy’s curfew.”

Li Huai asked, “Chen Pingan, how many years are you going to stay at the academy?”

Li Baoping smiled unexpectedly.

Pei Qian looked distressed, trembling with apprehension.

Chen Pingan said, amused, “I won’t stay too long, but I won’t leave in a few days either.”

Li Huai said “Oh,” and while Li Baoping and Pei Qian were clearing the table, he asked, “Chen Pingan, why don’t you stay at the academy and study? It would be great if we could return to Longquan County together in the future. What, have you been wandering outside for too long, and your heart has become wild? Even if you don’t care about Li Baoping, the academy has me, Li Huai! We’re good brothers, comrades in hardship. Maybe I’ll even be calling you ‘Brother-in-law’ in the future. Can you bear to leave your little brother-in-law alone at the academy? You know, back then, A-Liang cried and begged to be my brother-in-law, but I didn’t agree!”

Chen Pingan said helplessly, “Don’t say such things in front of Lin Shouyi and Dong Shuijing.”

Li Huai sighed heavily. “Those two guys, one is a silent gourd who doesn’t speak his mind, and the other is a blockhead who doesn’t get the hint. I think it’s hopeless. My sister probably doesn’t like them. My mother likes Lin Shouyi more, and my father likes Dong Shuijing more, but what’s the situation in my family? I, Li Huai, have the final say! Even my sister listens to me. Chen Pingan, let’s make a deal. If you just stay at the academy with me for a year, okay, half a year will do, you can be my brother-in-law! No dowry needed!”
Chen Pingan chuckled and scolded, “Get lost!”

Li Huai slammed the table. “Chen Pingan, speak properly to your future brother-in-law! Don’t say you weren’t warned!”

Li Baoping smacked Li Huai on the head, causing him to shrink back, his arrogance instantly extinguished.

While Li Baoping and Pei Qian were taking the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen outside the guest house, Li Huai came to Chen Pingan’s side, leaned on the table, and whispered, “Chen Pingan, my sister is incredibly beautiful now, I’m not lying to you.”

Chen Pingan ruffled the little guy’s hair. “I really don’t need you to be a matchmaker. I already have a girl I like.”

Li Huai’s expression dimmed.

Chen Pingan said softly, “Just because I’m not your brother-in-law doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

Li Huai said weakly, “But I’m scared. This time you’re gone for three years. Next time, will it be another three or five years? What kind of friend are you? When I was bullied at the academy, you weren’t around.”

Chen Pingan was speechless.

If things went according to his plans, it might indeed be more than three or five years before they met again.

After visiting Longquan County, Shujian Lake, and the Caiyi and Shushui kingdoms, he intended to head north, even further north than the Great Li Dynasty at the northernmost tip of Bao Ping Continent.

Li Huai sniffled, then looked up and smiled. “Forget it, we’re all grown-ups now. This being so sentimental is unseemly. Let’s worry about tomorrow, tomorrow!”

Chen Pingan patted Li Huai’s head. “Pei Qian seems a little afraid of Baoping. You can spend more time with Pei Qian these days.”

Li Huai immediately grinned. “That little charcoal briquette? No problem! There’s nothing shameful about being afraid of Li Baoping. I’m afraid of her too! Whoever isn’t afraid is a true hero!”

To be able to speak of such a shameful thing with such confidence and heroic spirit, probably only Li Huai could do it.

Afterward, Chen Pingan went to Mao Xiaodong’s study.

They began to discuss the matter of refining the second Natal Treasure.

Mao Xiaodong had already received Cui Dongshan’s secret letter and was even more meticulous than Chen Pingan himself.

Regarding the natural treasures needed to refine the golden Literary Heart, he had already purchased most of them. Some had not yet arrived at the academy, but he was sure that he could gather them all before autumn.

Chen Pingan said that he might need to repay the money later.

Mao Xiaodong wasn’t pretentious. He said they would calculate the price at market value and strive to settle it within twenty years.

Because it was a particularly special golden Literary Heart, one of the Five Elements Natal Treasures, Mao Xiaodong, besides carefully examining the Literary Heart that Chen Pingan took out from his dimensional item, had already learned in detail about the national history of the Caiyi Kingdom and the local gazetteer of the county where the City God Pavilion was located. He ultimately judged that the divine Wen Chen, Shen Wen, with the essence of incense and righteous energy, and most likely also the influence of the seal personally refined by the Grand Celestial Master, and the blessing of thunder techniques, ultimately gave birth to this golden Literary Heart, which was extremely extraordinary.

Therefore, Mao Xiaodong intended to first take Chen Pingan privately to visit places like the Confucian Temple in the Great Sui capital.

However, the final refining place would definitely be in the Cliffside Academy, where he could preside over the Qi flow.

The two constantly refined the details.

Mao Xiaodong was increasingly gratified.

Even when it came to the fundamental of cultivation, which determined the ultimate level of achievement, Chen Pingan remained unhurried and calm, his mind as placid as an ancient well, which pleased Mao Xiaodong greatly.

Many seemingly casual chats, Chen Pingan’s answers, and the questions he proactively asked about difficulties in the books, didn’t give Mao Xiaodong a sense of amazement, but a sense of steadiness, vaguely revealing an indomitable will.

That was enough!

Especially when Chen Pingan glanced at the sky and said he wanted to visit Lin Shouyi and Yu Lu to thank them first, instead of finishing the “important matter” in one go, Mao Xiaodong smiled and agreed.

After Chen Pingan left apologetically.

The tall old man, who had always given everyone a rigid impression, sat alone in his study, unable to restrain himself, tears streaming down his face, yet smiling with contentment.

In Mao Xiaodong’s eyes, ten exceptionally talented Cui Chans were not worth one Chen Pingan!

Without Li Baoping by her side.

Pei Qian was suddenly unconstrained and spirited.

When she arrived at Li Huai’s study, after sitting for only a short while, not only Li Huai, but even Liu Guan and Ma Lian were stunned, their eyes wide, looking at each other.

Pei Qian, with the bamboo sword, forged with the technique of “Blade and Coin”, hanging at her waist, sat upright on the long bench, facing the three guys sitting side by side.

She was telling them about her journey through the pugilistic world.

Her opening remarks were very intimidating: “You should be able to see that I, Pei Qian, as my master’s disciple, am a very cold-blooded and iron-handed martial artist! The mountain spirits and monsters that I have killed and subdued are countless.”

The horsefly she killed with her Mad Demon Swordplay, the toad she kicked away on the mountain road, and even the local dog whose head she held down, and the grasshopper she caught, were all imagined by her as future monsters.

Doubtful, Liu Guan poured tea and served water.

Taking advantage of the break when Pei Qian was drinking water, Ma Lian quickly took out melon seeds and pastries.

Li Huai held the painted wooden puppet in his arms, smiling foolishly, but secretly thinking that this dark-skinned girl was not what she seemed. She could boast even more than himself and Aliang! He had met his match!

After Chen Pingan walked out of Mao Xiaodong’s residence, he found Li Baoping standing at the door waiting for him, still carrying the small bamboo chest.

He wasn’t surprised at all.

The first time Chen Pingan left his hometown and went out into the world outside the Li Zhu Cave Heaven, Chen Pingan naturally escorted Li Baoping to the Great Sui to study.

But wasn’t it also the little girl accompanying her little martial uncle on a journey through the world?

In the earliest part of the journey when they were the only two accompanying each other, those green hills and waters that they had walked through were especially lovely and dear.

Chen Pingan didn’t rush on his way. He squatted down and asked with a smile, “Baoping, has anyone bullied you at the academy these past few years?”

Li Baoping thought carefully and shook her head. “Little Martial Uncle, no one has.”

Chen Pingan scratched his head, feeling a little disappointed.

In his heart, some of Mao Xiaodong’s words suddenly echoed.

Chen Pingan’s expression remained unchanged. After listening, he stood up, took Li Baoping’s hand, and began to look out at the night scenery of the capital city outside Little Eastern Mountain of the academy.

One large and one small began to descend the mountain.

“Little Martial Uncle, I’ve already divided the copied books into five portions, carried in the small chest, and given them to the five teaching masters. But those are just the copies I had to make for skipping class for a month. I still have a lot more in my study. Little Martial Uncle, you don’t have to worry.”

“Then were the teachers angry?”

“The teachers weren’t angry, they’re used to it. They just told me to run slower when I’m carrying the books.”
“The instructors are all quite amiable.”

“Indeed, they are agreeable enough, but their scholarship pales in comparison to that of Master Qi.”

“Why is that?”

“Master Qi possesses the greatest breadth of knowledge, and Junior Uncle is the most virtuous of all. There is no particular reason beyond that.”

“Ha, that is a sound observation.”

This scroll originates from…