Unsheathed

It was the fifteenth day of the first month, the day of the Lantern Festival.

All of the households in Old Dragon City had hung up festive red lanterns, and the streets and alleys were packed with people. In accordance with the customs and traditions of the city, each of the five major clans crafted a long dragon of lanterns, which they paraded out on the streets. If one were to look down at Old Dragon City from the sea of clouds up above, they would see five fiery dragons roaming along set routes.

Chen Ping’an asked the four picture scroll martial artists to accompany Pei Qian out to see the lanterns, while the Zhao Clan yin soul followed them in secret in case of any mishaps.

Meanwhile, he and Zheng Dafeng remained in the shop, standing over at the counter. The two of them prepared a flagon of wine, two small porcelain wine cups, and a few dishes of snacks.

Zheng Dafeng was still behaving rather strangely, and prior to taking a sip of his wine, he pulled out a willow branch and placed it against the doors of Dust Medicinal Shop, then also set down a bowl and a pair of chopsticks outside the doorstep.

Chen Ping’an took a glance at his handiwork, then asked, “Is that an offering to the gods or to any wandering spirits that may be passing by?”

“It’s a tradition passed down by the old man,” Zheng Dafeng explained with a smile. “As for exactly why this tradition is observed, the old man never told us. As his disciples, we simply carried out his instructions without asking why. There are no wandering spirits or demonic entities in Old Dragon City.

“With so many Qi refiners in the city, the yang energy here is far too abundant. Even if some wandering spirits do somehow show up nearby, they wouldn’t dare to approach our shop as long as Old Man Zhao is here. With the exception of those that have completely lost their minds, most spirits are far more polite and respectful of rules than us people.”

Chen Ping’an nodded in response as he took a sip of wine. It was the same osmanthus wine that had been brought to the shop by the people from the Fan Clan.

All of a sudden, he declared, “I’m planning to go to Fan Junmao tomorrow to ask for her help in refining my first bonded item on the sea of clouds. If I’m successful, then I’ll leave Old Dragon City and travel northward. The Scholarly Sage said that I can go anywhere from here onward without any qualms, but after thinking about it, there doesn’t seem to be anything important that I need to do right now.

“Hence, I’ll follow Senior Yang’s instructions and refrain from returning to the Dragon Spring Prefecture for now. I’m planning to visit about three or four places on Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, which should take me over a year in total, and once I’m done, it’ll be about time for me to return to Dragon Spring Prefecture.”

Zheng Dafeng was leaning against the counter as he cast his gaze toward the alley outside the shop, and he casually asked, “Have you ever considered establishing your own sect in Dragon Spring Prefecture?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head in response.

“I can tell that establishing a sect is an extremely troublesome task just from seeing the lengths that Master Ruan had to go to. Besides, what right do I have to establish a sect of my own?”

Zheng Dafeng took a small sip of wine, and a blissful look appeared on his face. It was only a small sip of osmanthus wine, yet it seemed that he was deriving as much enjoyment out of this single sip as someone else would from drinking several large jars of fine wine.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he said, “If we can recover the mountains on the western side of Dragon Spring Prefecture one after another to own around a dozen connected mountains, then that would establish a spiritual energy foundation of a sufficient caliber to found an immortal sect.

“However, it won’t be an easy task to get those powers to concede ownership of those mountains. The Great Li Empire was only willing to sell those mountains for such low prices in order to appease the immortal powers in the area. If it wasn’t for your ties with Ruan Qiong, you wouldn’t have even been able to purchase True Jewel Mountain, much less Downtrodden Mountain.”

Chen Ping’an nodded earnestly in agreement.

Even though Jewel Small World wasn’t renowned for its abundance of spiritual energy, for the average Golden Core or Nascent Tier cultivator, to be able to own Downtrodden Mountain and establish an abode there would be nothing short of a dream-come-true.

Despite what he had said about how troublesome it was to establish a sect, Chen Ping’an was very much hoping that he would be able to found a sect of his own someday. In fact, he had even already thought of the types of people and features that he wanted to have in his sect. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked the old Heavenly Lord of Peace and Tranquility Mountain about how much it would cost to purchase a mountain-protection formation.

Zhong Kui had told Chen Ping’an the story of the old Heavenly Lord of Peace and Tranquility Mountain revealing his Golden Dao Manifestation to pursue the sword-carrying white ape while wielding his Radiant Moon Mirror and his three swords, and Chen Ping’an also aspired to reach those heights someday.

All of the sudden, the old man with the title of Foot-Long Spear appeared at the entrance of Dust Medicinal Shop, and he strode into the shop with a smile on his face as he declared, “From the looks of it, you’re about to leave Old Dragon City soon, right, Chen Ping’an? Before you go, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Chen Ping’an rose to his feet, then set down his cup and chopsticks as he prompted with a smile, “Go ahead, Senior.”

The old man gestured for Chen Ping’an to continue with his meal, then made his way over to the counter and picked up a few fried peanuts, tossing them into his own mouth.

After a brief silence, he said, “What I want to ask of you may be a little unreasonable, perhaps even slightly offensive, but when fate comes calling, its call must be answered. Otherwise, once we part ways here, we may never see each other again. There’s no way that I can word this delicately, so I’m just going to be straightforward and say what’s on my mind.

“Brother Chen, Brother Dafeng, all that I ask is that you don’t kick me out after hearing what I have to say. Over the past few days, I’ve really come to cherish the relationships that I’ve built with everyone here, and it would be a real pity if…”

“Hurry up and spit it out!” Zheng Dafeng snapped. “You’re about to put me to sleep if you keep talking in circles like this!”

The old man tossed a piece of lotus root into his own mouth, then began chewing on it as he said, “Even though Sui Youbian has already become what is known as a Lesser Grandmaster among martial artists, in my eyes, the bottlenecks ahead of her are far too difficult for her to overcome, and at the very most, she’ll only be able to become an eighth-tier martial artist.”

Zheng Dafeng immediately flared up with rage upon hearing this.

“Only be able to become an eighth tier martial artist?! Do you understand what you’re saying right now, you old fart? Go outside and say that again, I dare you! All of the earth immortals of Old Dragon City will immediately storm onto the scene and slap you to death!”

The old man had a very mild personality, and he was completely unbothered by Zheng Dafeng’s barbed remarks as he smiled and explained, “Becoming an eighth-tier martial artist would be a blessing from the heavens for most, but truth be told, Sui Youbian should’ve never pursued the path of martial arts to begin with.”

“What the hell did you say?!” Zheng Dafeng yelled as he slammed a fist onto the counter.

The old man hurriedly bent down to pick up Chen Ping’an’s cup, then filled it with osmanthus wine for himself before raising the cup to Zheng Dafeng as he said, “My apologies, that was a little too direct of me. I’ll drink three cups as punishment for my rudeness.”

After downing the first cup of wine, he reached out to pour himself another cup, but Chen Ping’an grabbed onto the flagon with a smile as he said, “Just one cup will do, Senior. We’re all friends here, so there’s no need to be so stringent with these formalities.”

The old man sheepishly set down the cup, then wiped a hand across his lips as he said in a wistful manner, “This is some exceptional wine. It’s just a pity that its flavor is a little too delicate, so I would need to drink at least a few cups to be able to fully savor it.”

“What do you want to say? Hurry up!” Zheng Dafeng urged as he took a sip of wine himself.

“Sui Youbian is an extremely rare innate sword prodigy,” the old man continued. “Not only does she possess the aptitude required to become a sword immortal, most importantly, her sword heart is extremely pure, so there’s a very good chance that she’ll be able to break through her Upper Five Tiers bottleneck as a Nascent Tier swordsman in the future.

“Brother Chen, if you’re willing to let her go with me and join my sect, I guarantee that you that in a hundred years, a hundred and twenty at most, I can develop her into an extremely formidable Nascent Tier swordsman, and from there, I guarantee you that it’ll only take her another century at most to reach the Unpolished Jade Tier.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and offered no response, but he passed his chopsticks to the old man and also poured a cup of wine for him.

“You’re playing with fire, you old pervert. Are you not afraid of being burned?” Zheng Dafeng sneered. “Besides, Sui Youbian is already a Vajra Body Tier martial artist, and it won’t be difficult for her to reach the Far Roaming Tier.

“All she needs is some time to hone her own physical constitution. However, you’re asking her to abandon her martial arts cultivation base and relinquish her True Qi, just for some completely baseless promise of becoming an Upper Five Tiers swordsman in a century or two?”

“I already said that my request was going to be a little unreasonable, didn’t I?” the old man protested. “The problem is that it would be an absolute travesty for someone of Sui Youbian’s exceptional aptitude to waste her life pursuing the path of martial arts. If I had never met her, then it would’ve been fine, but now that I’ve seen her, I can’t bear to not say anything! This is an incredible waste! Think about it, Sui Youbian is such a beautiful girl.

“Even if she manages to become an eighth-tier martial artist in the future, she’ll only be able to brawl with others in physical combat. How terrible a sight would that be? In contrast, wouldn’t it be far more elegant and graceful of her to be slaying her enemies while soaring atop her flying sword?”

“You make it sound so easy,” Zheng Dafeng scoffed. “The more advanced the cultivation base of a pure martial artist, the more dangerous it is for them to relinquish their True Qi, particularly for a martial artist of the Three Mind Tempering Tiers like her. Even the slightest mishap could cost her her life! What good will all her sword aptitude amount to if she’s dead? Do you think you’re an Ascension Tier or Immortal Tier cultivator? Why should Chen Ping’an offer up such a beautiful maidservant to a lazy old pervert like you?!”

“We appreciate beauty, but we are not perverts, and that’s a distinction that outsiders are often unable to make. Brother Dafeng, you can insult me, but do not belittle fellow appreciators of beauty like ourselves,” the old man said in a serious manner.

Zheng Dafeng gave the old man a thumbs-up as he praised, “That’s very well said. I can’t pick out anything wrong with that.”

The old man raised his cup before downing its contents in one go, then stroked his beard as he smiled and said, “I knew you and I walked the same path, Brother Dafeng. Our first meeting was a little rocky, but I think we can become great friends!”

Meanwhile, Chen Ping’an was chewing on a peanut with a contemplative look on his face, and the old man didn’t dare to try and rush him into a decision.

He was going to be the one that decided whether the old man’s request would be fulfilled or not.

After some contemplation, Chen Ping’an said, “All I can promise you is that I’ll ask Sui Youbian for her opinion on the matter.”

The old man was astonished to hear this, and he exclaimed, “You’re actually willing to agree to something like this?”

He then immediately realized that he had misspoken, and a sheepish smile appeared on his face.

Everyone was aware of the value and worth of an eighth-tier martial artist.

Even in the most powerful mortal empires on Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, a single eighth-tier martial artist would be a transcendent being that could decide the fate of an entire empire.

The old man was very curious about why Chen Ping’an would agree to something like this, but he decided not to ask in case Chen Ping’an changed his mind.

As the old man stood up to depart, Zheng Dafeng escorted him out of the shop, telling Chen Ping’an that he was going out to get some fresh air.

They made their way over to the old locust tree on the street outside the alley, and even though it was already nighttime, all of the lanterns in the city ensured that it was still as bright as day.

The old man and Zheng Dafeng stood under the tree together, and the former asked, “Why didn’t Chen Ping’an ask me about my true identity and what compensation I’m willing to give him in exchange for Sui Youbian?”

“He’s the type of person that would only ask those questions if Sui Youbian agreed to go with you,” Zheng Dafeng replied.

A self-deprecating look appeared on the old man’s face as he sighed, “You and I are still far too materialistic. Chen Ping’an is a far better person than us.”

Zheng Dafeng looked out at the lively and bustling streets as he said in an indifferent manner, “Good people often end up getting the short end of the stick.”

“That is indeed true,” the old man sighed as a sober look appeared on his face.

After a brief silence, the old man asked, “What are your plans from here onward, Brother Dafeng?”

“I’m nothing but a cripple now, so I’m planning to return to my roots and go back to continue serving as a gatekeeper,” Zheng Dafeng replied.

“How about you come to my sect? I can’t promise too much, but I can guarantee that you won’t be wanting for fine wine, delicious food, and beautiful women. You know how I am by now, I’ll definitely come to you regularly just to chat, so you won’t be bored, either,” the old man invited.

“I don’t want to owe you such a big favor, and I no longer have the heart to make such a long journey,” Zheng Dafeng replied with a shake of his head.

“Don’t be so pessimistic,” the old man consoled as he patted Zheng Dafeng on the shoulder. “There are no insurmountable hurdles in life.”

Zheng Dafeng couldn’t help but roll his eyes upon hearing this.

“You’re an Upper Five Tiers Qi refiner who’s still shameless enough to be freeloading food and wine, yet you’re telling me, a cripple, to be more optimistic? Do you not feel embarrassed.”

“I thought I had hid my cultivation base very well, but you were still able to see through my identity as a glorious Upper Five Tiers immortal. Looks like I can hide my cultivation base all I want, but my aura of majesty will always expose me,” the old man sighed.

Zheng Dafeng turned to the old man with an exasperated expression as he asked, “There must be countless people in your sect that are lining up to beat you up!”

“Not at all,” the old man denied with a shake of his head. “During my younger days, I was very popular among my junior and senior sisters thanks to my good looks, and whenever any trouble came my way, all of them would clamber over each other to help me. As I grew older, I came to realize that it was not good to revel in the company of women all day, so I began focusing more on my cultivation, and I made rapid progress.

“Hence, the elders of my sect held me in very high regard and were very protective of me. Now that I’m an old man, I’ve already reached the pinnacle of the cultivation world, and no one can touch me anymore.”

Zheng Dafeng patted the old man on the shoulder as he said, “You’re very lucky not to have grown up in my hometown. Otherwise, you would’ve had some humility pummeled into you long ago.”

The old man merely smiled in response, then murmured to himself, “If Sui Youbian really does agree to join my sect, then I have to think carefully about what I’m going to give her as a welcome present, and I also have to think about what I should give to Chen Ping’an for his willingness to let her go.”

“Why don’t you give Sui Youbian a celestial tool?” Zheng Dafeng jibed.

“I can’t do that,” the old man chuckled. “There’s no way I would give her something so precious before she reaches at least the Unpolished Jade Tier. Even then, she’ll have to agree to protect my sect for at least three hundred years. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to bear parting with such a precious treasure.”