Unsheathed

The dark green official garb was none other than a garment refined from the skin that the small catfish had shed after advancing to the Nascent Tier. The River Severing True Lord has spent a hefty sum of money to ask a skilled master to secretly refine the shed skin into a Dao robe.

Gu Can took his hands out of his sleeves, and he no longer appeared like the little devil that countless vagrant cultivators in Bamboo Scroll Lake viewed as lofty and enigmatic. He spread his arms and gave a little hop on the spot, exclaiming, “You’re so tall now, Chen Ping’an! I was thinking that I could be as tall as you when we met each other again!”

The middle-aged man remained silent the entire time.

The onlookers standing on the busy street in Pond Water City and watching the situation unfold barely dared to breathe too loudly at this moment. Even Lü Caisang who was equally as unruly as Gu Can felt a mysterious sense of pressure and unease.

Gu Can scratched his head.

“Is Aunty still doing well?” Chen Ping’an finally asked in a hoarse voice.

“Yes, she’s doing well!” Gu Can replied with a vigorous nod.

“I want to visit Aunty — can I?” Chen Ping’an asked.

“Of course you can. Mom always mentions you. Anyway, why are you acting like we’re outsiders, Chen Ping’an?” Gu Can replied in an aggrieved voice.

“I’ll wait for you at the dock. You can finish eating the crabs with your friends before taking me to Cyan Gorge Island,” Chen Ping’an said.

Gu Can chuckled and replied, “Why should I pay any extra attention to them? They can wait for later. Come on, let’s go, I’ll bring you over to Cyan Gorge Island straight away. Mom and I have a big place to live in now, and we’re much better off than we were in Clay Vase Alley. To say nothing of horse-drawn carriages, even my small catfish can enter and exit freely. Just think about it, how wide does the path have to be? It sounds like a very mighty and impressive residence, right?”

“You’re not going to notify Fan Yan, Yuan Yuan, and the others first?” Chen Ping’an asked.

Gu Can shook his head and replied, “There’s no need. This bunch of friends is only to eat, drink, and muck around with. They’re not important at all.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything else, and he simply shot a glance at the young woman standing behind Gu Can, the small catfish that he had caught in the fields in the small town many years ago.

It was now traveling around the world in human form, taking on the appearance of an ordinary young woman. Looking at her carefully, however, one could see her vertical golden pupils, a feature that would reveal some clues to cultivators who were astute.

When Chen Ping’an glanced at her, the small catfish didn’t take another backward step like it had just then. However, the descendant of one of the five True Dragons in the Jewel Small World who didn’t even take Bamboo Scroll Lake’s Liu Zhimao seriously kept its eyes lowered as if it didn’t dare to catch Chen Ping’an’s gaze.

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything as he turned around to leave, making his way to the dock.

Gu Can briskly followed after him, and he took a glance at Chen Ping’an’s back and thought for a moment before eventually telling Lü Caisang to notify Fan Yan and the others. He then instructed the small catfish to bring the Golden Core Tier assassin along with them.

Lü Caisang wanted to say something, yet he couldn’t help but hesitate. There was an ice-cold look in Gu Can’s eyes, so Lü Caisang humphed coldly before taking his leave.

Only then did Gu Can swagger over and catch up to Chen Ping’an. He was extremely happy, and the large sleeves of his official garb billowed with yin energy.

If it weren’t for Chen Ping’an’s arrival, then the woman at the Golden Core Tier would have been executed today. Not only that, but her entire clan would have been executed as well. Gu Can wasn’t joking around, and he would have definitely allowed her entire clan to have a big reunion in the underworld.

Gu Can saw that Chen Ping’an had already walked past the horse-drawn carriage without any sign of stopping, so he shouted, “Chen Ping’an, you’re not going to take the carriage?”

Chen Ping’an didn’t stop or turn around as he replied, “I have my own feet, and I can keep up with the carriage in any case.”

Hearing this, Gu Can told his small catfish to bring the assassin with her and take the carriage, while he continued forward to walk beside Chen Ping’an. They walked together to the louchuan owned by Cyan Gorge Island.

As they walked, Gu Can didn’t ask Chen Ping’an why he had slapped him twice, nor did he brag about his might and impressive deeds in Bamboo Scroll Lake. Instead, he simply chatted about the interesting matters that he had heard about the Dragon Spring Prefecture.

However, Gu Can felt increasingly disappointed as they walked closer and closer to Bamboo Scroll Lake.

This was because Chen Ping’an didn’t say a single word to him the entire time, similar to how he had ignored his rotten friends and pushed them away. However, this wasn’t the strangest thing in Gu Can’s eyes.

Rather, it was the fact that Chen Ping’an didn’t seem like he was purposely suppressing a ball of raging anger. He appeared absent-minded instead, and more accurately, it looked like Chen Ping’an was completely immersed in his own thoughts. This allowed Gu Can to breathe a soft sigh of relief.

Gu Can was most afraid of Chen Ping’an not saying a single word as he walked over to slap him twice before turning around to walk away and leave.

They might never meet each other again after that, and even if they did meet by coincidence, they would merely be two strangers.

After they boarded the louchuan, the small catfish followed behind them with the Golden Core Tier assassin in tow. Gu Can asked in a careful voice, “Chen Ping’an, maybe I should release this assassin? I’m in a good mood today, so it won’t matter much if I release her.”

Chen Ping’an paused briefly, yet he didn’t stop and continued to walk forward.

Gu Can clearly noticed the fury and… disappointment that Chen Ping’an felt at that moment.

However, Gu Can didn’t understand why his words and his actions were… once again wrong in Chen Ping’an’s eyes.

And thus, he turned his head around, clasping his hands inside his opposite sleeves as he twisted his neck and continued to walk forward. His eyes were extremely cold as he gazed at the assassin.

It was all because of this cursed lady who had chosen to charge out today to make an attempt on his life. It was because of her that he had angered Chen Ping’an. She truly deserved to die! Even executing her entire clan wouldn’t be enough!

After arriving at the bow of the ship, Chen Ping’an stood still and gazed at the lake by himself.

Gu Can felt aggrieved and sulky, yet he wanted to stand a little closer to Chen Ping’an at the same time. In the end, he could only stand several steps behind Chen Ping’an, not even daring to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

At this moment, the assassin who felt like she had finally found a flicker of hope suddenly fell to her knees and vigorously kowtowed to Chen Ping’an, saying, “I’m begging you, please let me go. I know you’re a good person, someone with the heart of a Bodhisattva, so I beg you to please tell Gu Can to forgive me this one time. If you spare me, I’ll construct an archway and shrine for Benefactor in the future, and I’ll offer incense and kowtow to Benefactor every day. If Benefactor wants, I’m even willing to become a slave for Gu Can…”

The small catfish moved its finger slightly.

Gu Can surprisingly smiled at this moment, turning around and shaking his head at the small catfish. He allowed the assassin to earnestly kowtow and beg for her life, with the deck of the louchuan thudding loudly as she banged her head against it.

Chen Ping’an shakily grabbed his Sword Nurturing Gourd and drank a large mouthful of wine. Only after doing this did he turn around, not to look at the woman who was calling him a good person with the heart of a Bodhisattva, but to look at Gu Can and ask, “Why not kill just her?”

Gu Can’s expression was serious as he replied, “Just killing her alone isn’t effective because there are far too many people who like to seek death in Bamboo Scroll Lake. You might not know this, Chen Ping’an, but one will definitely be treated as a kind-hearted Bodhisattva if one only kills their direct enemies in this lawless land. The tens of thousands of vagrant cultivators and those people who have joined the forces of the various islands and lakeside cities will all look down on and laugh at such a person.”

Perhaps afraid that Chen Ping’an wouldn’t believe him, Gu Can turned around and asked the small catfish, “Isn’t that right? I’m not lying to Chen Ping’an, am I?”

The small catfish that was most unruly and unrestrained in Bamboo Scroll Lake nodded timidly in confirmation.

As someone who had advanced to the Golden Core Tier and dared to come here to assassinate Gu Can, the kowtowing woman naturally wasn’t a stupid person. She instantly understood the implications behind the middle-aged man’s words — she could be killed? She immediately felt as if she had been plunged into a glacial pit, and her eyes darted around as she lowered her head.

Chen Ping’an looked at her and asked, “If I can guarantee that I’ll only kill you and allow everyone else related to you to live on, what would you do?”

The woman looked up with teary eyes and replied, “I know you’re a good person, so why can’t you let me go as well? I know that I’m wrong. I shouldn’t have tried to assassinate Gu Can, and I guarantee that I’ll definitely avoid Gu Can in the future. I’m begging you, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-storey pagoda, so please let me go as well. I’m begging you!”

“If you and your companions succeeded in assassinating Gu Can today, would you have let his mother go if she kneeled down and begged for her life?” Chen Ping’an asked slowly. “Tell me your honest thoughts.”

The woman wiped away her tears and replied, “Even if I were willing to spare Gu Can, that sword cultivator from the Luminous Vermilion Empire would have definitely stepped forward to kill him. However, if Gu Can begged me to spare his mother, then I would have definitely granted his wish and protected that innocent woman. I definitely wouldn’t have allowed her to suffer further humiliation.”

There was a dazzling smile on Gu Can’s face.

He obviously knew that the woman was spewing nonsense. She was trying to stay alive, after all, so what nonsense wouldn’t she spew? Gu Can wasn’t surprised at all. In any case, what difference would she make? If Chen Ping’an were willing to accept this and not become angry at him, then so be it if he released one or two measly ants.

To say nothing of her worthless life as a Golden Core Tier earth immortal, Gu Can cared little about the life of her clan as well. They were measly ants whose ambitions, promises, and cultivation bases were simply worthless. Gu Can didn’t care about them at all. Indeed, had he not purposely taken a small detour on the way to the banquet just to have some fun? Was he not messing around with these assassins who mistakenly thought they were about to succeed?

Chen Ping’an looked at Gu Can and said slowly, “It would have been fine for you to kill her on the street, and it’s also okay for you to kill her here. It’s fine even if you kill her after we arrive at Cyan Gorge Island.”

Gu Can faltered upon hearing this.

“What did you call her when we were on the street?” Chen Ping’an asked.

Gu Can thought for a moment before replying, “Aunty.”

“And how do I refer to your mom?” Chen Ping’an asked.

“Also Aunty,” Gu Can replied in a gloomy voice.

“A family should be orderly and reunited,” Chen Ping’an murmured.

The rims of Gu Can’s eyes suddenly became red as he lowered his head and said, “What do you want me to do? Should I kill her or let her go? What should I do so you don’t get angry and ignore me like this? Tell me, Chen Ping’an, and I’ll do whatever you say.”

Chen Ping’an turned around and replied, “It’s up to you. After I visit Aunty at Cyan Gorge Island, I might leave after saying what I want to say.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything else.

Tears brimmed in Gu Can’s eyes as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

Gu Can had a mental connection with the small catfish, so there was no need for the young boy to say anything as the small catfish directly plucked the Golden Core Tier earth immortal from the floor as if she were a little chick. The small catfish then tossed her into a secret room and locked her up.

Chen Ping’an remained standing at the bow of the ship the entire time.

In the meantime, Gu Can walked to the top level of the louchuan, feeling upset and confused as he smashed all of the cups on the table. The open collar ladies in the room were all filled with fear and trepidation, unsure of why their always-smiling young master had become so grumpy today.

The small catfish also felt slightly gloomy and distressed as it stood to the side.

Gu Can looked up and stared at the small catfish, smiling as he said in a smug voice, “Don’t be scared, Small Catfish, Chen Ping’an is just annoyed with me. This always happened when we were little, and he would always ignore me if I ever made him unhappy. He would ignore me no matter how I followed him and said good things about him. It was exactly the same as today.

“However, he would still help Mom and me whenever he saw us getting harassed or bullied by those bad people in the small town. Afterward, Chen Ping’an would definitely forgive me if I cried and screamed for a while. Ahhh, it’s a shame that my two trails of snot have now disappeared. Those were my strongest immortal treasures, you know? Every time Chen Ping’an helped my mom and me, he couldn’t help himself but smile whenever he saw me sniff. He wouldn’t be angry at me anymore after that.”

The small catfish nodded in understanding.

Only itself and Gu Can knew why it had taken a step back on the street just then.

It was genuinely afraid of Chen Ping’an.

This was a sense of respect, reverence, and fear that pertained to the foundations of its Great Dao.

Perhaps even Chen Ping’an, the entire Jewel Small World, as well as Gu Can’s master, River Severing True Lord Liu Zhimao, didn’t know of the true reason.

This was because the small catfish was very different from the golden carp that Li Er had carried around in the Dragon King Basket and the four-legged snake in Song Jixin’s courtyard. Indeed, Chen Ping’an’s ability to catch the small catfish by himself was a huge fated opportunity in and of itself. This was a fated opportunity that belonged to Chen Ping’an! It was the only fated opportunity that Chen Ping’an had grabbed with his own hands and had the opportunity to keep in the Jewel Small World!

However, acting in accordance with his true self, Chen Ping’an had given the small catfish to Gu Can who had also been acting according to his true self and shamelessly asked him for the small catfish. In other words, Chen Ping’an had essentially given away his fated opportunity and transformed it into a fated opportunity pertaining to the Great Dao for Gu Can.

Even so, this didn’t stop the small catfish from continuing to view Chen Ping’an as half a master!

Even though Chen Ping’an definitely couldn’t control the small catfish that had already advanced to the Nascent Tier, it still wouldn’t dare to harm him unless its current master, Gu Can, gave it an absolute order to do so. Only then would it dare to target Chen Ping’an.

Gu Can suddenly rested his arms and head on the table and said, “Small Catfish, apart from my mom, Chen Ping’an is the only other person in the world who’s genuinely willing to give the very best things to me. This was the case both before and after he started working in the dragon kilns. Once he earned a tiny amount of money, he would buy snacks for me without so much as a frown whenever I became peckish. This was money that he was reluctant to spend on himself. Not only that, but he would lie to me and say that he had earned a huge amount of money. I only realized this later when Liu Xianyang accidentally let slip Chen Ping’an’s secret. Small Catfish, why do you think Chen Ping’an is angry?”

The small catfish shook its head in response.

Gu Can turned around, with his forehead against the table and his hands inside his opposite sleeves as he asked, “Then Small Catfish, how long will Chen Ping’an stay angry at me this time? Ah, I don’t even dare to mention the matter regarding these open collar ladies to him right now. What should I do?”

Tears streamed down Gu Can’s cheeks as he continued, “I know that Chen Ping’an is different this time. In the past, it was always other people bullying my mom and me, so he would always feel sympathy for me whenever he saw this. He wouldn’t disown me as a little brother regardless of how misbehaved I was and how angry he became.

“However, things are different now, and my mom and I are already living very good lives. Because of this, Chen Ping’an will feel like we can live very comfortably even if he isn’t around anymore. So, he’ll continue to stay angry at me, and he’ll continue to ignore me for the rest of his life.

“But I want to tell him that this isn’t the case. I’ll feel very sad if Chen Ping’an isn’t around anymore. I’ll feel sad for the rest of my life. If Chen Ping’an wants to ignore me, then I won’t stop him from doing so. I’ll simply tell him that if he dares to ignore me, then I’ll become a bigger baddy than right now. I’ll do even more bad things, so much so that Chen Ping’an will hear the name Gu Can no matter where he goes in the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, be that the Parasol Leaf Continent or the Middle Earth Divine Continent!”

Gu Can covered his face with his hands.

This was the second time that Gu Can had displayed his weak side after arriving at Bamboo Scroll Lake. The first time was during the Mid-Autumn Festival on Cyan Gorge Island, where he had also discussed Chen Ping’an with his mother.

There was a mental connection between Gu Can and the small catfish that connected their joy and sorrow, so the small catfish also started to shed tears with the young boy.