Unsheathed

Chen Ping’an turned around and saw a familiar face.

The man was no longer wearing a bamboo hat.

Chen Ping’an was dazed as he looked at the man, and he was temporarily at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Chun Shui and Qiu Shi were given a huge fright. At the same time, they were also irritated by this person’s lack of respect for the rules. He was far too irresponsible.

The Kun ship could be viewed as somewhat of a small world, and a place that had its own rules and regulations. For example, fights were prohibited, and if there were any disagreements or arguments, they had to be reported to the attendants in the Kun ship. One couldn’t use mystical abilities without reason either, and if there were mortals above the ship, one wasn’t allowed to wantonly harass or humiliate them.

There were many rules and regulations, and some thought they were excessive and unnecessary. However, forces that had the wealth and power to purchase Kun ships for intercontinental trade were all top-notch forces in the mountains. Moreover, they would generally hire high-tier Qi refiners and pure martial artists to watch over their ships, and they would also hire large numbers of itinerant cultivators skilled at combat. This was one of the main reasons people adhered to the rules. After all, rules were inanimate and inflexible, yet fists were alive and nimble.

Apart from this, there was also time cicadas, a type of spiritual matter, resting in the decorative branches that lined all of the corridors. These cicadas never rested, and they had the ability to record scenes that they had witnessed. Even the most subtle movement of aura couldn’t escape their senses. Moreover, if these time cicadas were killed, they would release a mournful and deafening buzz. As such, Kun ships used these cicadas to monitor thieves aboard the ship.

One had to realize that Qi refiners were also a mixed bag of good and bad people. As people cultivated, their mind’s lake would continue to expand without limit. Thus, itinerant cultivators or vagrant cultivators without a high-ranking official cultivation method were unable to concentrate their mind and calm their heart. As such, these people would often become extreme in terms of both good and bad. They would simply act according to their feelings.

In any case, cultivation was a bottomless abyss that would consume one’s wealth and easily gobble up one’s mountain of gold and silver. People wouldn’t become rich without additional revenue streams, and risk and reward came hand in hand. As such, it was only natural that many people succumbed to evil.

Chen Ping’an chuckled before breaking into joyful laughter.

The man standing in front of him was none other than A’Liang.

A’Liang was barefoot with his sleeves rolled up, and he appeared travel-worn and also slightly exhausted. However, there was a bright glimmer in his eyes, and he was filled with a soaring fighting spirit.

He appeared completely different from the man who had been holding the leash of a donkey and wearing a bamboo saber by his waist. At that time, A’Liang had appeared goofy and irresponsible. Indeed, the way that he had spoken had made him appear boastful and unreliable.

Now, however, he was no longer wearing a bamboo hat, and he no longer had a silver Sword Nurturing Gourd. In fact, he didn’t have a bamboo saber either. Instead, he had suddenly appeared in front of Chen Ping’an just like this. While Chen Ping’an was at the second tier, he hadn’t been able to determine A’Liang’s power. In fact, he had even felt like Zhu He could potentially rival A’Liang.

However, after advancing from the second tier to the third tier, Chen Ping’an’s observation of A’Liang changed completely. He felt like A’Liang could only be more powerful than Cui Chan’s grandpa, the old man with an astounding aura. However, Chen Ping’an was still unable to determine just how powerful A’Liang truly was.

But what did this matter? The only thing that mattered was that he was able to see A’Liang again so soon. Chen Ping’an smiled happily, and he felt a strong urge to… drink some wine.

A’Liang stood on the viewing platform that granted him a wide and unobscured view, and his eyes lit up when he saw the twin sisters, Chun Shui and Qiu Shi. He immediately leaned against the platform railing and struck a pose that he believed was carefree and handsome. He then placed a hand on his forehead and flicked his hair up, saying, “Greetings, ladies. I’m A’Liang, a swordsman.”

Chun Shui was a composed person, and she didn’t respond to A’Liang’s greeting. However, her younger sister was slightly more short-tempered, and it was indeed the man in front of them who had broken the rules first. Thus, the slender Qiu Shi frowned and said with confidence, “I don’t care who you are. Unless the Kun ship experiences an emergency situation in the sea of clouds, all guests and passengers are prohibited from using mystical powers, and all people are prohibited from entering the rooms of others without permission!”

After saying this, she sneered and continued, “And you claim to be A’Liang? What, are you that powerful immortal who fell from the sky? If you truly are, then will you accept me as a disciple? Hey, I’m begging you.”

A’Liang grinned and said, “I’ve traveled the world for many years, yet I’ve genuinely never taken a proper disciple before. However, what can I do? My swordsmanship is too profound, so it’s indeed very easy for others to become ashamed of themselves once they witness it. As such, they can’t even muster the courage to ask to become my disciple. Young lady, you’re the first person to directly make this request. I like it!”

Qiu Shi was just about to mock him, yet her older sister gently tugged on her elbow. Qiu Shi was the maidservant of a heaven-grade premium room, after all, so she forcefully swallowed her words even though she was still very annoyed at the man standing in front of them. This man didn’t respect the rules and also had an insincere feel.

Chun Shui was far more meticulous and thoughtful than her younger sister, and she could tell that the man standing in front of them was a friend of their esteemed guest, Chen Ping’an. Moreover, he hadn’t done anything too extreme either.

Thus, even though the Kun ship of Ceremony Mountain had many rules and regulations, these were things that could be applied flexibly instead of absolutely. Otherwise, their profitable business would have been snatched away by their competitors long ago. When doing business in the world, maintaining harmony to bring wealth was a never-changing principle.

Chun Shui first looked at Chen Ping’an and asked with a smile, “Young Master, is this… A’Liang your friend? Is he also a guest on the Kun ship?”

Chun Shui couldn’t help but feel awkward and uncomfortable when she said the name “A’Liang.”

As for whether this A’Liang was the same as that A’Liang, Chun Shui refused to believe this was the case. After all, this was analogous to someone with the same name as the wealthiest person in the continent visiting a mortal alley that was littered with chicken droppings and dog shit. Would people feel like they were a paramount individual beyond reach? Would people feel like they were the wealthiest person on the continent?

“He’s my friend,” Chen Ping’an replied.

Upon realizing that the twin sisters were still waiting for him to answer the other critical question, a flash of brilliance suddenly came to him, and he said with a smile, “He’s also friends with Wei Bo, the formal god of the Great Li Empire’s Northern Mountain.”

The question weighing on the twin sisters’ minds was immediately resolved.

As it turned out, this man was also acquainted with the formal god of the Great Li Empire’s Northern Mountain. No wonder Ceremony Mountain was showing such lenience toward him.

Because the Great Li Empire had conquered the entire northern region of Eastern Treasured Vial Continent and displayed its dominant might, even people in Complete Reed Continent had heard much about this empire. Moreover, even before constructing a ferry station on the Great Li Empire’s Parasol Tree Mountain, Ceremony Mountain’s Kun ship had still needed to travel over the territory of the Great Li Empire.

As for Chun Shui and Qiu Shi, two maidservants carefully raised by Ceremony Mountain, their ability to represent Ceremony Mountain was much more important than their ability to cultivate. Their job was to flawlessly look after their guests and build positive relationships with them.

Perhaps an immortal from the mountains might take interest in them one day, and if such an immortal took them as his beautiful mistresses, then this would result in a good relationship between the immortal’s force and Ceremony Mountain. This was also one of the original intentions of Ceremony Mountain.

Because of this, Chun Shui had a very good understanding of the Great Li Empire.

Not only was Chun Shui well aware of the power and status of the formal god of the Great Li Empire’s Northern Mountain, but even her lively younger sister, Qiu Shi, was aware of this.

Since this was the case, many of the rules already flexibly applied could be loosened even further. Chun Shui dragged Qiu Shi over to perform a graceful curtsy with her. They then took their leave and returned to the main hall of the residence, leaving the viewing platform to Chen Ping’an and his uninvited guest. After exiting the study, Qiu Shi asked in a quiet voice, “Big Sister, should we inform Supervisor Ma about this?”

Chun Shui shook her head and replied, “There’s no need. We shouldn’t complicate things even further. If Supervisor Ma feels like this is a relationship worth developing, then he’ll definitely go full steam ahead to develop it. If that man is genuinely friends with the formal god of the Great Li Empire’s Northern Mountain, then he might have a very happy conversation with Supervisor Ma. However, he’ll most likely dislike us for being unthoughtful if we inform Supervisor Ma about this matter. After all, who likes to have others talk behind their back?”

Qiu Shi understood the deeper meaning behind her older sister’s words, and she asked glumly, “Big Sister, do you want to leave Ceremony Mountain?”

A warm smile appeared on Chun Shui’s face, and she gently twisted her younger sister’s delicate ear as she replied, “It’s only natural for people to strive for better. Only by becoming successful in the future can we thank Ceremony Mountain for raising us and teaching us. Otherwise, are we truly going to make tea, wash clothes, and fold blankets for strange guests every single day? Have you forgotten? We’re also Qi refiners.”

Qiu Shi was filled with anxiety, and she rested her arms and head on the table and sighed, “Big Sister, I’ll just listen to you. I can’t be bothered thinking about all these things.”

Chun Shui leaned down and whispered in younger sister’s ears. It wasn’t clear what she was saying, but Qiu Shi’s face immediately flushed red with embarrassment. Qiu Shi immediately sat up straight and turned around to tickle Chun Shui’s armpits. The twin sisters started to giggle as they mucked around with each other.

From time to time, they would also glance over at the study, lest their esteemed guest and his friend catch them playing around. Even when they revealed their true nature, this pair of twin sisters still appeared extremely mellow and as gentle as water.

Over at the viewing platform.

A’Liang kept poking his head around the door, as if he were searching for the beautiful figures of the two young girls. After all, it wouldn’t hurt to feast his eyes a bit.

Chen Ping’an suppressed a smile and asked, “You were fighting with someone?”

“Mhm, that’s right. It was a very shameless person,” A’Liang replied. “Apart from the Dao Ancestor, this old bastard is the best fighter in the Daoist Sect. Ptui! He was merely relying on his geographic advantage and his immortal tools. However, this doesn’t matter. I’m going to go back and return this punch to him!”

There were many things that Chen Ping’an wanted to say, but he was so frightened that he couldn’t help but swallow all of his words.

A’Liang retracted his furtive glances and turned around to walk to the platform railing. He looked Chen Ping’an up and down before clicking his tongue in wonder and remarking, “Young lad, it’s only been a short while, but you’ve almost reached one-thousandth of my graceful demeanor already! Very well, very impressive indeed!”

Chen Ping’an didn’t know how to respond. After a long while, he was finally able to squeeze out a polite response and say, “Come down to visit whenever you have time?”

A’Liang was deflated upon hearing this, and he huffed, “Bloody hell…”

Little brat, how can you look down on me like this? What, in your mind, I’m the one who’s always going to get beaten and punched down? Perhaps you’re unaware of the fact that the stinky old Daoist priest in the feather coat was sent flying by a single punch of mine before? In fact, he even smashed countless demons to death while flying back!

However, A’Liang felt too embarrassed to say these things. After all, he had indeed lost during their previous exchange. He wasn’t the Scholarly Sage, and he wasn’t shameless enough to speak nonsense like that old scholar. He would say all of this after he defeated his opponent!

At that time, he could tell Chen Ping’an how he had beaten an old Daoist Branch Master to the verge of wetting his pants. He could tell Chen Ping’an that he wasn’t lying, and that he never boasted!

In any case, that shameless old Daoist priest, the second disciple of the Dao Ancestor, had genuinely accepted the title of “True Invincible”. A’Liang hadn’t been able to stand this, so the two of them had thus gotten into a fight. Upon seeing that A’Liang didn’t have a sword, the old Daoist priest had also chosen not to use his weapon, one of the four great immortal swords. Afterward, the two of them had exchanged blows using fists and Dao power high above the land of the Heavenly World. While fighting, they had also continued to slay heavenly demons. That had indeed been an amazing feeling!

There would eventually come a day when he would beat that stinky old Daoist priest up and force him to admit that he was “Not Invincible”.

A’Liang noticed the vermilion wine gourd tied to Chen Ping’an’s waist, and he laughed loudly and said in amusement, “Oh, you’re even drinking now?”

Chen Ping’an nodded and replied, “Yes, but my alcohol tolerance isn’t that good yet. I can only drink a small amount every time.”

A’Liang glanced at the sky and said, “Chen Ping’an, we can still chat for a while longer. You can choose some more important topics to talk about.”

Chen Ping’an briefly told A’Liang about the recent events.

A’Liang raised a thumb and said, “Since that’s the case, then be at ease and continue to travel south. Also, hurry up and get stronger, then you’ll be able to come up to the sky to visit me in the future. The mortal world is very good, but the heaven beyond the heaven filled with powerful opponents is also very spectacular!”

Chen Ping’an felt slightly guilty, and he admitted, “A’Liang, even though I’m carrying swords on my back, I haven’t started to officially practice the sword yet.”

A’Liang grinned and replied, “When reaching the pinnacle state, practicing the fist is equivalent to practicing the sword. There’s no need to feel anxious!”

Chen Ping’an wanted to say something, but he couldn’t help but hesitate.

A’Liang patted Chen Ping’an’s shoulder and said, “Don’t be like this. Regarding the old sword blade under the stone arch bridge, Qi Jingchun indeed contacted me about it first. However, he went back on his word later, and he said that he had found a more suitable candidate than me. I wasn’t angry, because I was the one who understood Qi Jingchun’s temper the best. Even so, I naturally couldn’t help but feel curious. Which incredible person had forced that stubborn fart Qi Jingchun to finally come to his senses? It was because of this that we crossed paths later.

“Afterward, my doubts and questions were also relieved because I realized one thing. Even if I walked to that stone arch bridge in your hometown, the sword spirit might not have chosen me as her owner. Back then, I told you that you took away something that was as good as mine, but I was simply boasting!”

Chen Ping’an was dumbfounded.

A’Liang also boasts?

A’Liang grinned widely, so wide that his entire face became scrunched together like layers of warm sunshine folded together. He laughed heartily and asked, “What’s wrong? I’m not allowed to boast? Say, was it embarrassing for me to be punched down into the mortal world? Of course it’s embarrassing! However, I still came to visit you, didn’t I? Why is this?”

Chen Ping’an was baffled, and he asked, “Why?”

A’Liang pointed at the sky and replied, “Truly powerful individuals don’t care about being invincible or whatnot. They simply care about staying alive. They care about staying alive regardless of how resounding their defeat is. That way, they’ll be able to stand up and unleash their furious attacks again!”

A’Liang pointed toward the south and chuckled, “After passing that stinky old Daoist priest’s Stalactite Mountain, you’ll arrive at the Sword Qi Great Wall where I sharpened my Sword Dao for many years. Do you think I was always peerless and mighty? No, most definitely not. There were countless times when I was beaten and chased as if I were a homeless dog!

“Of course, I’m not afraid of anyone in the world when it comes to fighting one-on-one. However, what could I do about those shameless great demons teaming up to fight against me? I had no option but to flee and curse. After breaking free with much difficulty, I would then sneak back and assassinate one of them before strolling off with my head held high.

“After returning to the Sword Qi Great Wall and tossing the head of the great demon over, those young ones would start to shout and whoop without needing me to even say anything. You don’t know just how hungry the gazes of those young girls and beautiful women were. It was as if they could devour me alive! I felt quite embarrassed during those times…”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but say, “I believe everything you said at the start. However, I don’t quite believe those last two or three sentences that you said.”

“Even if you see through me, you don’t have to expose me like this,” A’Liang said awkwardly.

They fell silent for a moment.

A’Liang looked up at the large fissure in the sky that was slowly knitting back together.

“A’Liang, do you want some wine?!” Chen Ping’an suddenly asked in a loud voice.

A’Liang faltered for a moment before laughing and saying, “I’ll take you up on that later!

“Alright, we’ll leave things here then. When you arrive at the Sword Qi Great Wall, if you hear anyone using this matter to laugh about me, then remember to tell them that A’Liang will soon smash that Daoist second disciple into the Heavenly World with a single punch!”

After saying this, A’Liang shouted softly, “I’m off!”

The Kun ship shuddered violently, and it slowly descended dozens of meters before finally managing to arrest its downward momentum with much difficulty.

A rumble traveled over from the sky, and that streak of light shot to a height that even the Qi refiners aboard the Kun ship were unable to see. An even more astonishing explosion traveled over, and the sea of clouds within a radius of several kilometers was completely obliterated into nothingness. A’Liang vanished just like that.

In the next instant, he appeared in the sky above the sea between Eastern Treasured Vial Continent and Middle Earth Divine Continent. There was another deafening explosion, and A’Liang soared over the eastern seashore of Middle Earth Divine Continent as well as the majestic Tassel Mountain that towered into the sky. A deity in golden armor sitting cross-legged in the sky opened his eyes.

A’Liang then soared past the White Emperor City located in the iridescent clouds outside Yellow River Small World, and a paramount demonic cultivator standing above the city wall glanced at his quickly disappearing figure.

Just like this, A’Liang continued to rapidly ascend toward the fissure in the sky. Before the fissure closed, A’Liang dashed through it and bade farewell to the world.

Chen Ping’an stood on the observation platform for a long time, unwilling to leave.

It was difficult to say whether A’Liang was truly invincible or not. However, it was without a doubt that he was truly graceful and carefree.