Unsheathed

Liu Zhimao once again retrieved his white bowl and placed it on the table, lightly pushing it forward and evidently asking for wine again. “It’s because a guest like Mr. Chen exists that a host like me also exists. This is a great blessing.”

Chen Ping’an waved a hand, summoning the Sword Nurturing Gourd into his palm and pouring a bowl of wine for Liu Zhimao. He was far more generous this time around, and he filled the white bowl to the brim with crow caw wine. However, he didn’t push the bowl back straight away, instead asking, “Have you thought things through? Or more accurately, have you reached an agreement with Island Master Tan Yuanyi?”

Liu Zhimao smiled and responded with a question of his own, asking, “Mr. Chen, are you telling me that you can’t determine whether Tan Yuanyi reached an agreement or whether talks fell through when he went to Palace Willow Island?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and replied, “I’m not an immortal who can read minds, so I naturally can’t determine the outcome of his talks.”

Liu Zhimao sighed with emotion and remarked, “If Mr. Chen visited Millet Grain Island and met a few times with Island Master Tan Yuanyi on the lakeside, then perhaps you could have pieced together the clues and come up with an answer. Mr. Chen is skilled at deduction, so it’s only right that you’re skilled at determining these matters as well.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head again, replying, “My deduction skills aren’t impressive at all. You only find them impressive because you’ve never come across mighty figures with genuinely impressive divination and deduction skills. Perhaps I’m too blunt, so please don’t take offense, True Lord.”

Liu Zhimao took a deep breath and replied, “Truth be told, even though Tan Yuanyi is an overseer from the Great Li Empire’s Green Ripple Pavilion who looks after the central region of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, he was still fairly unhappy after his secret meeting with Liu Laocheng on the island. Tan Yuanyi proposed two conditions at the time, one genuine and one false.”

Liu Zhimao paused for a moment, and he couldn’t help but sigh softly with emotion in his mind upon seeing Chen Ping’an sitting there and silently waiting for him to continue. In reality, Chen Ping’an could roughly guess the truth after hearing the words “one genuine and one false.” Even so, he still chose to remain silent. He could afford to wait, and he was willing to take things slowly.

Only experienced cultivators with Liu Zhimao’s cultivation base and a lofty enough disposition could understand the subtle and mystical nature of Chen Ping’an’s mind.

“The Great Li Empire hopes that I can maintain my false position as the ruler of Bamboo Scroll Lake,” Liu Zhimao continued. “However, all of the genuine benefits will be given to Palace Willow Island. There are more than one thousand islands in Bamboo Scroll Lake, but as the ruler of Bamboo Scroll Lake in name, I can only pick thirty islands in addition to my dozen or so vassal islands to form an island chain, something akin to the capital of mortal empires. All of the remaining islands will fall under the jurisdiction of Palace Willow Island.

“Of course, the Great Li Empire’s Imperial Song Clan will definitely need to share their profits with Liu Laocheng in the future. With this as the foundation, Liu Laocheng isn’t allowed to target me or Cyan Gorge Island, neither openly nor in secret. However, Tan Yuanyi most likely made this small request in a very tactful manner when he was negotiating with Liu Laocheng.”

Liu Zhimao sighed and continued, “Even after making such concessions, Liu Laocheng was still unwilling to agree to our proposals. In fact, he wasn’t even willing to give my title, the so-called Ruler of Bamboo Scroll Lake, to Cyan Gorge Island. He simply told Tan Yuanyi that Bamboo Scroll Lake wouldn’t have a so-called ruler or whatnot in the future. After all, this was nothing more than a huge joke.”

Chen Ping’an frowned slightly upon hearing this.

He was temporarily unable to figure out Liu Laocheng’s reason for doing this.

This was because he had no clue about the plans of the Jade Tablet Sect’s Xun Yuan, both regarding his choice of Bamboo Scroll Lake as the location of his lower sect as well as his alliance with Liu Laocheng. He was even more clueless about the fact that Jiang Shangzhen, his so-called old acquaintance who owned the Cloud Cave Blessed Land, was going to become the first sect leader of the lower sect.

This was the lower sect of the Jade Tablet Sect, so it definitely wouldn’t complain about Bamboo Scroll Lake being too big. It would only complain about Bamboo Scroll Lake being too small. In fact, even the vassal states of the Luminous Vermilion Empire that were located near Bamboo Scroll Lake — for example, the Stone Brush Nation — might be annexed and transformed into the jurisdiction of the lower sect.

How could a powerful force allow others to challenge their rule? Just who did Liu Zhimao, a measly Nascent Tier cultivator, think he was?

However, Liu Zhimao was oblivious to these matters, as was Millet Grain Island’s Tan Yuanyi.

Whether purposely or otherwise, Imperial Preceptor Cui Chan had concealed these matters from Tan Yuanyi for the sake of his grand scheme. He wanted to defeat Cui Dongshan and have his other self wholeheartedly accept his loss. That way, they could decide who was primary and who was secondary, and Cui Dongshan would willingly leave Mountain Cliff Academy and be at Cui Chan’s disposal. Cui Dongshan would help Cui Chan and the Great Li Empire stabilize their rule over their vast territory in the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, and as for whether it was the north or the south, Cui Chan had given Cui Dongshan a choice back then. He could either guard the territory to the north of Lake View Academy, or he could fight to conquer more lands in the south.

To someone like Cui Chan, no one and nothing in the world could be trusted. However, was it really the case that he couldn’t even trust “himself?” If that were the case, then wouldn’t he be questioning his own Great Dao? That would be similar to how Chen Ping’an had rejected his identity as an immortal from the mountains in the depths of his heart, thereby causing his newly formed bridge of immortality to be so fragile that he couldn’t even set foot on it.

Even though Cui Chan had split into two and Cui Dongshan could only be regarded as half of him, it was ultimately the case that neither he nor Cui Chan were mediocre individuals who only knew how to play small tricks.

Since they had decided to sit down and play a serious game of Go with each other, they would definitely accept the outcome regardless of whether they won or lost. In any case, they would merely be losing to the other half of themself.

Once Cui Dongshan left Mountain Cliff Academy and gave it his all to assist the Great Li Empire…

…It would be as if the Great Li Empire had suddenly gained a second Embroidered Tiger.

Before Cui Chan left the tall building in Pond Water City, Cui Dongshan had half-joked that even he was afraid at the thought of two Embroidered Tigers working together, so how could the Great Li Empire possibly lose in the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent?

Chen Ping’an fell silent as he digested the news. It was half good and half bad.

It was good in the sense that Liu Zhimao’s ability to negotiate with him had fallen to an all-time low. With Liu Laocheng, the ruler of Palace Willow Island, being so firm and stubborn, Liu Zhimao’s capital to use against Chen Ping’an would become weaker and weaker. This was true for Cyan Gorge Island’s Spring Courtyard Mansion as well as the Vermilion Chord Residence.

However, it was bad in the sense that Chen Ping’an would need to make greater concessions to the Great Li Empire if he wanted to achieve his objectives. In fact, Chen Ping’an started to question whether Tan Yuanyi from Millet Grain Island was qualified enough to influence the critical strategies of the Great Li Empire. Was he qualified to represent the Great Li Empire and make deals with him in Bamboo Scroll Lake on behalf of the Imperial Song Clan? If Tan Yuanyi wasn’t influential enough, then Chen Ping’an would be wasting his time and effort if he continued to negotiate with him.

Chen Ping’an was even more afraid of Tan Yuanyi being deployed to someplace else in the Great Li Empire due to his “meritorious contributions.” If another official from the Great Li Empire took over matters at Bamboo Scroll Lake, then Chen Ping’an’s slightly positive relationship with Tan Yuanyi would only make matters more difficult.

The worst-case scenario was Liu Laocheng interfering in Tan Yuanyi’s matters and causing the situation in Bamboo Scroll Lake to change in unpredictable ways. One had to understand that the most meritorious party in the process of Bamboo Scroll Lake falling to the Great Li Empire wasn’t Millet Grain Island or whatnot. Rather, it was the heavy cavalry of the Great Li Empire stationed on the border of the Luminous Vermilion Empire. It was this army that had cut through enemy ranks with ease and decided the ownership of Bamboo Scroll Lake.

Once the pillar clans in the imperial court of the Great Li Empire offered their conclusion on Tan Yuanyi’s performance, designating it as unfavorable, Chen Ping’an would no longer need to travel to Millet Grain Island. After all, Tan Yuanyi would already be struggling to stay alive himself, and he might even need to grab onto Chen Ping’an and treat him as a life-saving hope. His grip would be tight, so tight that he wouldn’t let go no matter what. Chen Ping’an would be his final ray of hope to turn things around. At that time, Tan Yuanyi, an earth immortal who had decided the fate of Azure Mound Island and Heavenly Governess Island in a single night, would become even more terrifying and unscrupulous.

Things were as simple as this.

Chen Ping’an had impaled Tan Xue to the door tonight.

However, Chen Ping’an might very well become the next Tan Xue.

This was the true nature of the cultivation world, where one needed to take responsibility for their own life and death.

Liu Zhimao didn’t interrupt the young bookkeeper’s thinking, and he patiently waited for Chen Ping’an to say something.

When Chen Ping’an finally spoke, the first thing he said was, “True Lord, can I please trouble you with inviting Tan Yuanyi to Cyan Gorge Island for a secret meeting with me? The sooner the better.”

Liu Zhimao breathed a sigh of relief.

However, what Chen Ping’an said next immediately caused Liu Zhimao to feel anxious and extremely troubled.

“Both you and I are aware that Tan Yuanyi was unsuccessful in his talks at Palace Willow Island, and Liu Laocheng definitely wasn’t asking for an exorbitant amount of benefits so that you people could haggle with him to lower the price. Right now, Millet Grain Island’s Tan Yuanyi is like a mud pit that can leave others absolutely filthy if they become involved in the situation and aren’t careful enough.

“So, I have two conditions. Firstly, you have to remove the secret restriction that you’ve placed on Gu Can’s mother. Don’t ask me whether or not I’ll suspect you of agreeing but not carrying out your promise. We both know each other’s bottom lines, so there’s no need to engage in such meaningless probing. You’re even more aware of my attitude toward the Spring Courtyard Mansion at this moment.

“Secondly, you need to give up your control over the Vermilion Chord Residence’s Hong Su and hand her to me. Tan Yuanyi is unable to help us, so let me personally negotiate with Liu Laocheng.”

Chen Ping’an’s voice became solemn as he added, “In any case, the second condition isn’t really a condition, so think through this carefully, Liu Zhimao. Staying alive is the biggest source of hope and possibility. This isn’t just a rule of Bamboo Scroll Lake, but it’s also a fundamental rule for all vagrant cultivators and itinerant cultivators in the world.”

“I accept your proposal!” Liu Zhimao replied without hesitation.

Chen Ping’an appeared slightly surprised.

Liu Zhimao spread open one of his hands.

Chen Ping’an smiled faintly and pushed the brimming white bowl of wine back to Liu Zhimao. Liu Zhimao grabbed the bowl and took a swig of wine before saying, “Mr. Chen is my only like-minded acquaintance in Bamboo Scroll Lake, so I naturally have to show some sincerity as well.”

Liu Zhimao turned around to glance at the small catfish, and when he turned back, he pointed at his brain and remarked, “I do have this important part.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and replied, “A like-minded acquaintance of True Lord? Are you trying to insult me?”

Liu Zhimao wasn’t angered at all, and he laughed heartily as he said, “See? And you’re still trying to deny that you’re a like-minded acquaintance?”

Tan Xue was seemingly on the verge of death, yet it still turned its head slightly to look at the two men who were enjoying a hearty conversation with each other. The small catfish listened to their discussions that could very likely determine the fate of Bamboo Scroll Lake.

At this moment…

Tan Xue slightly understood the hidden meaning of Chen Ping’an’s words.

Tan Xue also made insinuations when it spoke, and doing so was something that it understood well. For example, Chen Ping’an had seen through Tan Xue’s words when it said that it was still yet to gain sentience in the Jewel Small World. By implication, the small catfish had only just started to gain sentience and remember things after it arrived at Bamboo Scroll Lake, and it had only started to truly become sentient and able after arriving at the Spring Courtyard Mansion. In other words, all of the crimes and wrongdoings had little to do with it, with the main culprits instead being Gu Can and his mother.

However, this was nothing compared to the hidden meaning in Chen Ping’an’s words. Liu Zhimao was the ruler of Cyan Gorge Island, yet after walking in and sitting down, he needed to seek Chen Ping’an’s approval before he could even drink a bowl of wine. Not only that, but he appeared quite happy after finally receiving his white bowl back and taking a swig of wine. Liu Zhimao was an experienced Nascent Tier cultivator that even Tan Xue felt very apprehensive of, yet he had actually used the term “like-minded acquaintance” to describe Chen Ping’an, someone who was yet to turn twenty.

Only at this moment did Tan Xue concede that it was indeed not smart enough compared to Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an pointed at Tan Xue and said to Liu Zhimao, “The imperial preceptor of the Great Li Empire will like the corpse of this Nascent Tier flood dragon. This is a bargaining chip that I’ve only just obtained. If I successfully strike a deal with the imperial preceptor, then I can guarantee that you won’t die. If all else fails, you can at least obtain a Peace and Safety Tablet from the Great Li Empire and flee from Bamboo Scroll Lake. In the future, you’ll at least have some hope of becoming a guest elder of the Great Li Empire. So, even if the talks between Millet Grain Island and Liu Laocheng break down, I can still help you avoid falling victim to that most undesirable possibility.”

Liu Zhimao smiled with squinted eyes and asked, “Is Mr. Chen truly willing to sacrifice this beast?”

Chen Ping’an grabbed his Sword Nurturing Gourd and took a swig of wine, following which he pointed at Tan Xue and replied, “I’ve already given it multiple chances, and it wouldn’t have fallen into such a wretched state if it managed to grab just one of those chances. Who can it blame? Me for not being as lenient as a Bodhisattva? Taking ten thousand steps back, it’s not like I’m a benevolent Bodhisattva anyway.”

Liu Zhimao nodded lightly, expressing strong agreement with Chen Ping’an’s words.

If the young man in front of him didn’t possess such strength and intelligence, then he wouldn’t have come to visit, nor would he have shamelessly asked for a bowl of wine.

Why hadn’t Liu Zhimao immediately agreed to Chen Ping’an’s proposal during his first visit?

One reason was because he still held onto a sliver of hope, hoping that Millet Grain Island’s Tan Yuanyi could reach a deal with Liu Laocheng. If that were the case, then Liu Zhimao wouldn’t need to continue his interactions with Chen Ping’an. The two of them could simply mind their own business and refrain from interfering with each other.

Another reason was the fact that Chen Ping’an could understand many things, but was he truly able to act on his understanding? The subtle restrictions on Hong Su, Gu Can’s mother in the Spring Courtyard Mansion, and other similar methods didn’t make Liu Zhimao feel genuinely at ease. Why did scholars claim that all trades and occupations were inferior to studying? Yet, they turned around and slapped themselves in the face, also remarking that scholars were the most useless people in the world. This was because understanding a matter was one thing, but how to act on this understanding was another thing altogether.

With this in mind, Chen Ping’an’s method of dealing with the beast that had wild ambitions but a fragile life was an intangible threshold. If Chen Ping’an could overcome this threshold and perform resolutely and impressively, then only then would Liu Zhimao be truly willing to interact with him and deal with him.

Conflict and death were inevitable.

However, knowledge and nuance were required regarding how to engage in these conflicts and deaths.

In Liu Zhimao’s eyes, the actions of Gu Can and the small catfish were nothing more than little children playing house. In fact, the same could be said for Lü Caisang, Yuan Yuan, and the other so-called prodigies. They merely shouted louder and shattered more porcelain wares on the floor, yet they truly thought that they were unparalleled in the world?

However, Liu Zhimao didn’t view this as bad, and he instead viewed it as extremely ideal. The more of these little idiots there were the better. These people acted on a whim, wantonly killing people with their amateur fists whenever they felt like it. However, they had no clue how much of their power and influence was granted by the might of their islands or ancestors. That being the case, did Liu Zhimao need to worry about them? The more of these idiots there were, the firmer Liu Zhimao’s grip on his power.

Yet, it was a shame that the more experienced Liu Laocheng had now returned.

Since there was already Liu Zhimao, why did there still need to be Liu Laocheng?

Liu Zhimao could only sigh and lament that fate wasn’t on his side.

He was acting so politely and submissively in front of his young junior, and was this not because of the forces of the unstoppable trend? Was this not because of that jade tablet, the heavy cavalry of the Great Li Empire, and the changes sweeping through the central region of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent?

However, the biggest difference between Chen Ping’an and other people was his ability to clearly understand these matters. At the same time, his speech and manners were seemingly all adhering to some sort of… rules that even Liu Zhimao found extremely strange.

And when these sentences and small matters continually gathered together to form and reveal the rules, Liu Zhimao was somehow willing to put his trust in them.