Unsheathed

Chen Ping’an wasn’t blind, so he could naturally tell that Huan Shu, the fortress lord’s daughter, was interested in Lu Tai.

At the same time, Chen Ping’an could also see the unconcealable sense of worry hidden behind the siblings’ politeness and warmth.

By the looks of it, the wanton actions of the ghosts and spirits toward the residents of the fortress were extremely worrisome for the Flying Eagle Fortress.

In the cultivation world outside the mountains, even wealthy clans and powerful forces would find it very difficult to deal with such problems.

Chen Ping’an and Lu Tai made their way to the main building of the Flying Eagle Fortress. This was a majestic structure, and the plaque on the door, the couplets to the side, the pair of colorful door gods, and the jade-white tigers on both sides had all been created by famous artists. All of these things highlighted the past glory and wealth of the Flying Eagle Fortress’ Huan Clan.

The banquet hall was brightly lit, with many red candles that were as thick as an infant’s arm. There were also many pieces of old artwork decorating the hall, such as large paintings of scenery, painting pairs that depicted immortal scenes, and so on. Fortress Lord Huan Yang, his wife, Administrator He Ya, and a few elders from the Huan Clan all stood at the door of the hall to welcome the young man and the young boy who were visiting the Flying Eagle Fortress for the first time.

Many talented descendants and branch descendants stood behind them, and these youths were all filled with curiosity toward Chen Ping’an and Lu Tai. After all, it was very rare for the fortress to prepare such a grand welcome banquet.

“One should never strike an apologizing person. If the Flying Eagle Fortress’s Huan Clan is smart enough, do you believe me if I say that they’ll actively apologize to us after having three rounds of drinks?” Lu Tai said to Chen Ping’an using his mind’s voice.

However, Lu Tai quickly lost his seriousness, saying with his mind’s voice as he looked around the room, “There are quite a lot of old antiques wandering around. It seems like the ancestors of the Flying Eagle Fortress’s Huan Clan were fairly wealthy, huh? They were faring quite well compared to other forces outside the mountains in Parasol Leaf Continent.

“It’s almost certain that they wouldn’t have needed our help if they weren’t forced to hide in this isolated place due to that calamity. They would have asked the immortals from Agarwood Nation or the surrounding nations for help and dealt with this bunch of yin entities long ago.”

Before coming here, Lu Tai had briefly mentioned something about Commercialist disciples in the world. These disciples had proposed a notion of “old money” and “new money.”

In other words, paper money and banks should be categorized as new or old. There were some old banks with a history of hundreds or even thousands of years and still going strong, and there were also some new banks that had only recently risen to power. As a result, the paper money issued by these banks naturally differed in terms of whether they were old or new.

Chen Ping’an perceptively noticed something strange about the fortress lord’s wife before he took a seat. Her aura was cloudy and misty, and this was in the sense of dark clouds and black mists. It was clear that her aura was contaminated with filth. Even though she looked beautiful and healthy, the reality was that her vital energy was waning and her life force was already near exhaustion.

Lu Tai didn’t so much as take a single glance at her.

The banquet wasn’t overly fancy, and it couldn’t be said that there were exotic delicacies from the mountains and the seas. Instead, there was game from the rivers and fruits and vegetables that were in season. Huan Yang remained extremely modest the entire time, not putting on any airs.

In fact, Chen Ping’an could clearly detect the discomfort of those Huan Clan descendants. They were acting in a perfunctory manner as they ate and drank, and it was often the case that they would only drink when the fortress lord suggested a toast to everyone.

However, Lu Tai had guessed incorrectly, and Fortress Lord Huan Yang didn’t mention the matter regarding the strange alley to them even when the banquet neared its end. He simply stated that the environment in the Flying Eagle Fortress was harsh, so he asked Chen Ping’an and Lu Tai to forgive the fortress if the fortress were unable to take good care of them.

After drinking the last glass of wine, however, Huan Yang and his wife personally showed Chen Ping’an and Lu Tai around the main building after the other guests gradually got up and left. After walking out to the balcony on the top level, Huan Chang and Huan Shu both brought out a present as they were gazing into the distance.

The presents were placed inside wooden boxes, and Huan Yang explained that these were old antiques that had been passed down by their ancestors. They weren’t worth much, but they could be considered quite rare. In any case, these were just some simple welcome gifts. In the end, he said that hopefully Chen Ping’an and Lu Tai could visit the Flying Eagle Fortress more often in the future. The fortress would definitely welcome them warmly.

Lu Tai flawlessly dealt with this engagement.

Afterward, he ran his hand along the railing and silently remarked, “This is a good place.”

And thus, the hosts and the guests happily farewelled each other. Huan Shu initially wanted to bring them back to that alley, yet Huan Chang found an excuse to drag her back and stop her from going. Huan Shu was unhappy about this, but she ultimately didn’t insist on leaving the main building. Looking at the two guests who were walking along the wide street side-by-side, Huan Chang said in a soft voice, “Xieyang suffered such severe wounds, so why aren’t you visiting him?”

Huan Shu frowned and replied, “He still rushed over with such carelessness even though Father and Grandpa He already told him not to act recklessly. If it weren’t for the fact that esteemed immortals are going to arrive in the Flying Eagle Fortress tonight, how could we have cleaned up this absolute mess?

“Tao Xieyang is already old enough to understand this, and he’s already managing half of the Flying Eagle Fortress’ affairs in any case, so how could he still be swayed by his emotions and act so rashly? He’s forgotten about the profoundness of heaven and earth after wandering around the cultivation world for a few days….”

“Enough with the badmouthing!” Huan Chang scolded in anger. “No matter what, Xieyang suffered such severe wounds for the sake of the Flying Eagle Fortress. In fact, no one would have the face to stop Xieyang if he overheard this and decided to leave the Flying Eagle Fortress in anger! Are you truly unaware of how many renowned forces have taken an interest in Xieyang’s martial arts talents and management capabilities these past few years?”

Huan Shu pursed her lips and replied, “Then I guess our temple is too small to host this big Bodhisattva. What else can the Flying Eagle Fortress do? Cry and beg Tao Xieyang to stay?”

Huan Chang turned around and scolded in a stern voice, “Huan Shu, how are your remarks becoming ruder and ruder?! Has your conscience been eaten by a dog?! You and Xieyang grew up together like family, and he’s also a very good brother of mine…”

The rims of Huan Shu’s eyes became bright red. She felt slightly upset, and this was the first time she had seen her older brother becoming so angry. Her voice quivered as she said, “But I don’t want to marry him! He might like me, but I don’t like him! What else can I do about this?”

Huan Chang sighed upon hearing this. Everyone had their own burden to bear. This was a very difficult matter to resolve.

This was just like how Huan Chang couldn’t understand Tao Xieyang. Such a beautiful and outstanding celestial maiden from the cultivation world had fallen in love with him at first sight, yet Tao Xieyang somehow refused to reciprocate her feelings.

On the other hand, Tao Xieyang had liked his younger sister for so many years, and this was a relationship that should have formed and developed naturally, eventually culminating in marriage. Yet, his younger sister couldn’t develop romantic feelings for him no matter what.

In terms of what would happen after Tao Xieyang married his younger sister, Huan Chang hadn’t thought much about this. More precisely, he wasn’t willing to think too much about this. Tao Xieyang had the formless support of Administrator He Ya, and he had also traveled far and wide over the past many years. As a result, everyone in the Flying Eagle Fortress respected Tao Xieyang immensely. If Tao Xieyang married his younger sister, would the Flying Eagle Fortress perhaps be ruled by someone with a different surname in the future?

The autumn breeze was refreshing, and the river of stars was dazzling. However, it was as if each speck of star represented a feeling of melancholy in the world.

On this night, an outsider with the demeanor of an immortal being arrived on the small path outside the Flying Eagle Fortress before Chen Ping’an and Lu Tai arrived back in the small alley.

Only Fortress Lord Huan Yang and Administrator He Ya went out to greet him. They stood in a solemn and respectful manner with their arms by their sides, and the welcome they provided wasn’t boisterous at all. However, this welcome was far more practical and sincere compared to the welcome banquet they had provided for Chen Ping’an and Lu Tai.

The person walking over was a tall and sturdy man with an intense gaze. He was leading a handsome snow-white horse by the reins, and looked to be around forty years old. There was a fly-whisk in his hand and a peach wood talisman by his waist as he gracefully walked over.

There were also two bundles of pine and cypress branches hanging from the two sides of the saddle, and this appeared extremely strange.

The characters “Extinguishing Worries” were inscribed on his fly-whisk.

Fortress Lord Huan Yang and Administrator He Ya hurriedly bowed in greeting, saying, “Welcome, esteemed immortal from Peace and Tranquility Mountain.”

The middle-aged man nodded and said with a faint smile, “There’s no need to be so polite. It’s the responsibility of immortals from the mountains to venture outside to subdue demons and eliminate fiends.”

Before Huan Yang could say anything else, the man leading the horse had already looked up at the sky above the fortress and analyzed, “Sure enough, there’s a very concentrated yin energy and murderous aura gathered over the fortress. If I’m not wrong, the Flying Eagle Fortress should have just experienced a torrential downpour.

“The two of you should be aware that it wasn’t ordinary autumn rain. Rather, it was the sinister demons and ghosts in this area setting up formations and unleashing mystical abilities with the aim of stopping the Flying Eagle Fortress from having any descendants in the future.”

Huan Yang and the old administrator exchanged a glance before the former cupped his fists and offered, “Esteemed Immortal, the Flying Eagle Fortress is willing to build a shrine to honor you as long as you’re able to save the population of five hundred or so people here. We’re also willing to hand over the precious sword, Halting Snow, that our ancestors obtained through luck. The descendants of the Huan Clan will honor you and Peace and Tranquility Mountain for at least one hundred years. We’ll do everything in our ability to repay you!”

The middle-aged man flicked his fly-whisk with a carefree smile and replied, “We can discuss these matters after I save the Flying Eagle Fortress. Otherwise, this positive karmic fate will become nothing more than a business transaction filled with the stench of copper.”

Huan Yang was moved to tears, and he sobbed, “Esteemed Immortal is so noble and unsullied! I apologize for my disrespect…”

The middle-aged man ignored him and walked forward with his horse, fully displaying his transcendent demeanor as an immortal.

Later on in the night, another travel-worn and disheveled old man arrived at the Flying Eagle Fortress. However, he was almost stopped at the gate and asked to leave. In the end, it was Tao Xieyang’s friend, the young Daoist priest Huang Shang, who rushed over after hearing about this. Only then was the old man allowed into the Flying Eagle Fortress.

The old man casually settled down in some alley, and this caused shame and guilt to fill Huang Shang’s face. However, the old man didn’t care much about this, and he walked around the fortress even though it was already late at night. During his investigations, he also leaned over some wells and smelled the water.

After returning to his courtyard, the old man suddenly looked up in surprise and leaped onto the roof of the building with a tap of his feet. He gazed at someplace in the distance and carefully examined it for a short moment. After returning to the courtyard, he turned around and asked, “There are already powerful cultivators guarding the Flying Eagle Fortress?”

Huang Shang faltered upon hearing this, and he replied, “I’m not sure if they’re powerful cultivators or not. However, I’m aware that two young people arrived at the Flying Eagle Fortress two days ago. One is a graceful and handsome young man, and one is a taciturn young boy with a sword on his back.”

“Did the two of them not provide assistance when you and Tao Xieyang experienced danger before?” the old man asked.

“It was the old administrator who saved us. Those two people didn’t appear at the scene,” Huang Shang replied with a bitter smile.

“He Ya does indeed know some shallow Dao techniques,” the old man said with a nod. “However, there’s quite a huge gulf between his skills and the level of the talisman that the two people stuck on their courtyard door.”

The young Daoist priest faltered and asked, “Those two people are around the same age as me, but Master is suggesting that they’re already the same as you? Perhaps they’re esteemed immortals who have mastered mystical Dao techniques?”

The old man sniggered and replied, “So what if they’re young? True esteemed immortals are those who can move mountains and turn seas even though they’re still very young. Half-assed cultivators like me have simply relied on our age to grind out a measly cultivation base. In fact, those genuine immortal forces in the mountains don’t view us as fellow cultivators walking the same path.”

Huang Shang was still a little skeptical, and he was convinced that this was a case of his master being noble and modest. He regarded his master as a genuinely transcendent being who cared little about fame and riches and didn’t like to boast about his immortal cultivation.

The old man didn’t say anything else. Compared to those immortals who could travel on wind and soar through the clouds, it could be said that he had wasted all of his time and lived like a dog. At the end of the day, this wasn’t a joyful matter to discuss.

Elsewhere, Chen Ping’an stuck another Treasure Pagoda Demon-suppressing Talisman on the courtyard door.

Neither he nor Lu Tai felt sleepy, so the two of them sat in the courtyard and casually chatted with each other.

Chen Ping’an’s expression was solemn, while Lu Tai was smiling with squinted eyes and rocking his bamboo fan back and forth as always.

Chen Ping’an was just about to say something, yet Lu Tai raised a hand and stopped him from speaking, warning him, “It won’t be effective anymore if you talk about it.”

The handsome young man changed the topic and said in amusement, “Your Dao robe, Golden Sweet Wine, the two flying swords in your Sword Nurturing Gourd, and your immortal treasure-grade demon-binding chain… Just how impressive will you be when you reach the seventh tier of martial arts in the future?”

Chen Ping’an gave a knowing smile and said in an open and cheerful manner, “But others won’t know of the blood, sweat, and tears behind all of this.”

“Do you find it very strange that I’ve never regarded myself as a sword cultivator?” Lu Tai sighed and asked.

“What’s so strange about that?” Chen Ping’an huffed. “Isn’t this simply because you’re afraid of heights? You took Osmanthus Island when traveling from Old Dragon City to Stalactite Mountain, and you took the Treasure Swallowing Whale when traveling from Stalactite Mountain to Parasol Leaf Continent. Have you ever taken a kun ship before?”

Lu Tai flushed red, and he immediately threw his bamboo folding fan at Chen Ping’an. Chen Ping’an held his index finger and middle finger together before gently twirling them in a circle, causing the bamboo fan to spin in midair as if it were being controlled by silk threads. The bamboo fan circled around Chen Ping’an once before flying back to Lu Tai. The handsome young man caught the bamboo fan and clicked his tongue in wonder, remarking, “What a quick learner you are. You’re already putting what you learned before into practice.”

Perhaps the sword kinesis techniques of sword experts were very mysterious in the cultivation world. To Chen Ping’an who was at the fourth tier of martial arts, however…

Grasping one technique allowed him to grasp all techniques.