Unsheathed

Chen Ping’an summoned the ghost entity who was a Sea Observation Tier cultivator when alive so that he could provide some knowledge and support for Ma Duyi and Zeng Ye, lest they make bad decisions on the street atop Descending Falcon Mountain.

When they arrived on that street, Ma Duyi visited all of the shops regardless of their size, comparing the prices of the treasures between each shop. She sold some spirit tools and also purchased some treasures, and she had already decided how to divide the spoils with Zeng Ye a long time ago. In addition, she also helped to come up with plans for Zeng Ye, suggesting to him which treasures would be the best to buy. He shouldn’t simply look for the treasures of the highest quality.

Even though Zeng Ye became bleary-eyed from looking at the various treasures, often feeling a strong urge to buy certain ones, he still listened to Ma Duyi’s suggestions and followed her guidance. The human and the ghost had already become genuine friends.

Chen Ping’an saw all of this, and he smiled happily in his mind.

Because these were immortal stores, some mortal curios that had gathered dust for tens upon hundreds of years or were just newly purchased would often be thrown in as an extra gift for the transactions made with immortal coins. This was similar to how the shopkeeper in Ape Crying Street had given Chen Ping’an three items for free following his purchase of the painting and the Great Replica Qu Huang.

The old ghost entity was called on whenever Ma Duyi or Zeng Ye wanted to make a transaction. Even though many of these shops were opened by cultivators who had severed their relationship with the mortal world, it was not necessarily the case that they could accurately appraise the quality and value of mortal antiques and curios. As such, Chen Ping’an and his companions were able to snatch many bargains again.

They left the street with a bountiful yield.

They then left Descending Falcon Mountain.

Chen Ping’an followed his planned path and continued along the border of the Stone Brush Nation, passing city after city and pass after pass. As he continued his journey, the ghosts and yin entities residing in his treasures were also able to complete the final wishes, whether big or small.

Of course, Chen Ping’an paid close attention to the situation of Bamboo Scroll Lake the entire time. However, old government newspapers sold for low prices by shops opened by cultivators like those in Descending Falcon Mountain contained little useful news about Bamboo Scroll Lake. Most of them only contained some trivial pieces of rumor.

Minor Fullness, the eighth solar term, arrived in April. If Chen Ping’an were still in his hometown in the Jewel Small World, then he would see those working in the fields paying full attention as they fought for water. Otherwise, their yield for the year would be detrimentally affected if they didn’t obtain enough water.

When Chen Ping’an was just about to return to Bamboo Scroll Lake, he obtained an immortal report that was being spread widely through the northern region of the Stone Brush Nation. There were several pieces of stunning news in the report.

Great General Cao Ping, who was leading the other army of heavy cavalry, had employed a very daring strategy, splitting his army into three groups and only leaving the central group to guard their base and face off against the border army of the Luminous Vermilion Empire.

Meanwhile, the two other groups of heavy cavalry had defeated two vassal states of the Luminous Vermilion Empire in quick succession. They naturally didn’t conquer these vassal states, but they instead broke up the armies of these nations, forcing them to split up and continually retreat and consolidate in the various larger cities and towns. This, in effect, gave more freedom to the heavy cavalry commanded by Great General Cao Ping.

Refugees from the two vassal states furiously surged into the border regions of the Luminous Vermilion Empire. At the same time, envoys from these vassal states continued to travel to the capital of the Luminous Vermilion Empire, crying in grief and kowtowing until their foreheads bled. They appeared extremely pitiful as they begged the army of the Luminous Vermilion Empire to save their people from the flames of war, begging them to march forward resolutely and fight a decisive battle against the barbarians of the Great Li Empire.

Due to their lack of movement, the army of the Luminous Vermilion Empire that was facing off against Great General Cao Ping was subject to a tirade of criticism, being accused by many of shirking battle. News of this rapidly spread through the Luminous Vermilion Empire, and there was a popular speculation that the general of this army had secretly defected to the Great Li Empire already.

The imperial court of the Luminous Vermilion Empire was forced to split into two camps, with one camp supporting an offensive strategy and the other camp supporting a defensive strategy. There were mixed opinions among the scholarly officials and martial officials, and the same chaotic mix of opinions was also present in the mountains and outside the mountains. Intense arguments often took place in the imperial court, and there were several times when the emperor of the Luminous Vermilion Empire was so infuriated that he violently flicked his sleeve and ordered an end to the arguments, telling the officials to retreat and saying that they would discuss the matter again in the future.

Perhaps one would say that this was only a significant matter in the mortal world.

In that case, a huge and shocking event had taken place in the mountains in early summer.

Wei Jin from the Wind Snow Temple’s Divine Platform had found Heavenly Lord Xie Shi from the Northern Complete Reed Continent, the powerful cultivator who was currently cultivating in seclusion in the central region of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent.

Following a battle between the two, Wei Jin had left the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent by himself and flown on his sword to Stalactite Mountain.

Few people had spectated that paramount battle between two immensely powerful cultivators, and the outcome of the battle wasn’t made public either. However, since Xie Shi was able to remain in the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, it went without saying that the Daoist Heavenly Lord who had enraged the entire populace of the continent most definitely hadn’t lost to Wei Jin.

However, even though Wei Jin had failed to defeat Xie Shi with a single sword strike, the cultivators of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent didn’t harbor any resentment toward the sword immortal who had just advanced to the Upper Five Tiers. Rather, they felt a sense of pride for being from the same continent as him. This was especially so for the sword cultivators of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent.

This was a huge event in the mountains that grabbed the attention of the entire continent.

At a similar time, another eye-catching event had taken place in the mountains in the central region of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent.

A cultivator named Ma Kuxuan from True Martial Mountain was yet to reach twenty and had only cultivated for a few short years, yet he had participated in two consecutive life-and-death battles and astoundingly managed to kill two Golden Core Tier cultivators. Moreover, it was said that Ma Kuxuan had achieved this feat while keeping hidden his true trump cards.

The Luminous Vermilion Empire had chosen to remain silent regarding this matter as Ma Kuxuan’s battles had been witnessed by both his Dao guardian from True Martial Mountain and a royal family member of the Luminous Vermilion Empire. Ma Kuxuan hadn’t used any underhanded tactics, and he had achieved victory in the two battles fair and square.

Ma Kuxuan’s stunning feats allowed his name to spread throughout the entire Eastern Treasured Vial Continent.

Following Minor Fullness, the eighth solar term, the continent entered Plum Rain, the early stages of summer. This was a wet period of time with strong sinister energy, so both mortal humans and cultivators needed to take care to nurture their yang energy and aura of righteousness. They needed to resist the wetness and sinister energy.

When traveling north, Chen Ping’an and his two companions had taken the route to the east of the Stone Brush Nation’s capital. When traveling south, however, they decided to take an alternative route.

There was pouring rain on this day, and Chen Ping’an and his two companions decided to seek shelter and rest in a rundown pavilion. Chen Ping’an’s heart jolted as he felt the wooden case in his sleeve shudder and heat up slightly.

The messenger flying sword that most definitely shouldn’t have appeared here had surprisingly arrived here.

Liu Zhimao had already been detained in the water dungeon, so it would be impossible for him to control his Small Sword Resting Ground and send out a messenger flying sword under the noses of Liu Laocheng and that group of strange cultivators.

In fact, Chen Ping’an intended to ignore the messenger flying sword altogether.

After weighing up the pros and cons, however, Chen Ping’an carefully caught the messenger flying sword that indeed belonged to Liu Zhimao and undid its restrictions.

There were only three sentences in the secret letter.

“You need to be careful when you return to Bamboo Scroll Lake this time.

“This warning has nothing to do with you, Chen Ping’an, nor does it have anything to do with the agreement between us — I simply can’t stand some of these people, and I’ve borrowed Liu Zhimao’s flying sword in order to express my sincerity.

“Keep the flying sword, and there’s no need to reply to this letter.”

Chen Ping’an put away his wooden case and fell deep into thought.

This was undoubtedly the doing of Palace Willow Island’s Liu Laocheng, but what was the reason behind this gesture? This was worthy of ruminating on.

The honest “warning” from Liu Laocheng definitely didn’t relate to the huge changes that had swept through Bamboo Scroll Lake. After all, Chen Ping’an was neither blind nor deaf, so there was absolutely no need for Liu Laocheng to inform him of these matters. Zhang Ye had also rushed over to inform Chen Ping’an of the situation, so with Liu Laocheng’s meticulous nature and wild ambitions, he definitely wouldn’t waste his time and effort on repeating the same news to Chen Ping’an. That being the case, Liu Laocheng’s warning for Chen Ping’an to be careful definitely pertained to something more specific and detailed, something that was closely related to Chen Ping’an himself.

Chen Ping’an stood on the edge of the small and leaking pavilion and gazed at the curtain of gloomy rain outside. There was an even worse outcome waiting for him right now.

Zhang Ye had fled from Bamboo Scroll Lake using the secret tunnels under Cyan Gorge Island, but this was perhaps within the expectations and plans of those people scheming in the shadows.

However, why hadn’t these people directly targeted Gu Can and the Spring Courtyard Mansion? Why hadn’t they chosen this option which was easier and more immediately effective? Why hadn’t they forced him to rush back to Bamboo Scroll Lake to then directly kill him?

Chen Ping’an sighed and murmured, “Does this pertain to battles for the Great Dao again? In that case, it makes sense that the culprit wasn’t an immortal sect from the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent. Perhaps it was Du Mao’s Parasol Leaf Sect? Or? No, it definitely wasn’t Peace and Tranquility Mountain. Maybe it was the Planchette Writing Sect, the first large sect that I passed after arriving at the Parasol Leaf Continent?

“But I only passed by with Lu Tai back then, and there shouldn’t have been any conflicts or grudges between us. Battles for the Great Dao are also divided into high-level and low-level battles, and they’re similarly divided into broad and narrow battles. To continue their relentless pursuit all the way to the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, this person is definitely an Upper Five Tier cultivator. In that case, the culprit is unlikely to be the Planchette Writing Sect.”

Chen Ping’an furrowed his brows and continued, “But to say that it’s the old temple master with paramount Dao power? This doesn’t seem plausible either. His path of the Great Dao shouldn’t be so narrow.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly turned around and said, “Zeng Ye, Ma Duyi, the two of you don’t need to accompany me back to Bamboo Scroll Lake. You can directly travel to the border of the Stone Brush Nation and the Plum Glaze Nation and wait for me at Staying Pass.”

Zeng Ye wanted to say something, but Ma Duyi immediately tugged his sleeve and stopped him from speaking.

Chen Ping’an turned around and continued to gaze at the curtain of rain.

They parted ways at the rundown pavilion.

Chen Ping’an rode south alone.

He swapped his thick azure cotton robe for a thin and fitting azure shirt.

Chen Ping’an arrived at Green Parasol City, one of the four major border cities of Bamboo Scroll Lake, without a hitch.

Green Parasol City was a force on the border of Bamboo Scroll Lake, and it was often the case that the more significant the events in Bamboo Scroll Lake, the more quiet and peaceful the city would appear. This applied to the local residents regardless of whether they were island masters, faction leaders, itinerant cultivators, or ordinary commoners. Right now was a time of such significance, with hidden undercurrents and winds of change sweeping through Bamboo Scroll Lake. At the same time, there was also Great General Su Gaoshan’s stunning proclamation and act of provocation at Pond Water City.

But why was this the case? Why did these sweeping changes instead bring peace and quiet? This was because the residents of Green Parasol City had no option but to accept their fate as dictated by the unstoppable trend of the world. This was especially the case for mortal humans born and raised in Green Parasol City. With how chaotic the world was right now, where could they flee to even if they had enough savings? Did they dare to leave?

There were many delicacies in Green Parasol City.

Chen Ping’an visited a random steamed bun shop, and he was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the two steamed buns he purchased were. He bought another two, and it had already been a very long time since Chen Ping’an had eaten until he was ninety percent full.

The shop was new, and the shopkeeper was also very young. He had only just graduated from a young boy into a young man.

Business at his shop was also fairly good.

While walking along the banks of Bamboo Scroll Lake from Green Parasol City to Pond Water City, Chen Ping’an obtained some other pieces of news. Compared to the Stone Brush Nation that was mired in war, news and rumors from the cities on the banks of Bamboo Scroll Lake appeared much closer to reality.

More than half a year had passed at that familiar dock in Pond Water City, yet that large ship was still silently moored at the dock.

Even though Cyan Gorge Island’s Liu Zhimao had comprehensively lost his grip on power, Chen Ping’an’s status as a top-level guest elder of Cyan Gorge Island was still relatively valuable and respected.

Chen Ping’an left his horse at an inn, paying them some silver to keep his horse fed.

When the Big Dipper looked like the handle of a wine jar, that signified the arrival of Great Heat, the twelfth solar term. The entire Bamboo Scroll Lake was like a big steamer, with hot air rising into the sky.

It was very difficult to imagine that Bamboo Scroll Lake had still been a sheet of snow-white when he had departed back then.

Chen Ping’an rowed a boat by himself back to Cyan Gorge Island.

After docking his boar and stepping ashore, Chen Ping’an walked past the mountain entrance where the old gatekeeper was still as lethargic and glum as always. However, the old cultivator immediately smiled when he saw Bookkeeper Chen returning to Cyan Gorge Island.

It appeared as if nothing had affected the leisurely lifestyle of this old cultivator, not Liu Zhimao’s disappearance, not the destruction of Hengbo Residence, and not Su Gaoshan’s proclamation and act of throwing a whip into Bamboo Scroll Lake.

Chen Ping’an greeted the old gatekeeper and made some small talk with him before opening the door to his room. Nothing was amiss, save for the extra layer of dust on everything. This was because Chen Ping’an had said that there was no need to clean his room when he left Cyan Gorge Island.

The first place Chen Ping’an visited was Hengbo Residence, a place that had already become ruins and would be impossible to rebuild in the future. He silently stood on the outskirts of the ruins for a while, and only then did he turn around to walk to the Spring Courtyard Mansion that was still as extravagant as before.

Cyan Gorge Island was lacking a leader right now, and Zhang Ye, who would have been able to just barely hold things together, had disappeared without a trace as well. As a local Golden Core Tier cultivator, Tian Hujun, Liu Zhimao’s most senior disciple and the leader of White Fish Island, had surprisingly decided to enter seclusion at this critical moment. In addition, Gu Can had already lost his powerful flood dragon companion.

There were secretive communications between the various forces right now, most notably between the high-ranking guest elders of the vassal islands and some of Liu Zhimao’s direct disciples. Each person had their own plan.

Without Hengbo Residence and Liu Zhimao to suppress them from above, it was very likely that the Spring Courtyard Mansion had appeared full of life and vigor during the past while. In reality, however, they were suffering quite a bit.

There would always be someone more powerful to hold up the sky when it collapsed, but now that Liu Zhimao was detained, who would be next in line to assume this responsibility?

Regardless of how oblivious to the great trend the people in the Spring Courtyard Mansion were, this was a concept that they were extremely clear about.

Gu Can’s mother was already waiting at the entrance with two young and beautiful maidservants who were also her most trusted subordinates.

The Spring Courtyard Mansion was at least capable enough to gather this intelligence.

Gu Can’s mother briskly walked over to Chen Ping’an, saying in a soft voice, “Ping’an, how have you become so skinny?”

Chen Ping’an sighed in his mind, but he still smiled and replied, “I was wandering around the Stone Brush Nation the entire time, so I often needed to live and eat in the wilderness. However, it wasn’t too bad after I became accustomed to it. Where’s Gu Can?”

Gu Can’s mother smiled and replied, “After you left Cyan Gorge Island, he developed a fondness for strolling around the island by himself. He’s probably run off to mess around somewhere again. He can’t change his bad habits, and he’s been like this ever since he was little. I always needed to yell for him to come home whenever it was time to eat. However, this won’t work anymore. Cancan wanders too far away now, so he won’t be able to hear me regardless of how loudly I yell. Your aunty wasn’t very accustomed to this in the beginning.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said with a smile, “Then I’ll wait for him here. I need to leave Bamboo Scroll Lake right away after I discuss some matters with him.”

“Are you in that much hurry?” Gu Can’s mother asked in disappointment.

Chen Ping’an nodded in response.

Gu Can’s mother accompanied Chen Ping’an and chatted with him, mostly recollecting the bitter past and reminiscing the sweet times. She talked about the trivial household affairs in Clay Vase Alley and Apricot Blossom Alley back then. Meanwhile, Chen Ping’an also told her a little about Ma Kuxuan’s current state.

Gu Can’s mother couldn’t help but sigh with emotion, saying that she would have never imagined that the stupid little boy who was always bullied by others would become as impressive as he was now. However, it was a shame that the barb-tongued Granny Ma, the most foul-mouthed in town, was unable to live long enough to witness her grandson’s incredible transformation. She seemingly became emotional as she said this, and turned around to wipe away a tear with her silk handkerchief.

They waited for approximately one hour before Gu Can slowly wandered back to the Spring Courtyard Mansion.

When he saw his mother and Chen Ping’an waiting at the door, Gu Can, as tall as a young man from the northern regions, didn’t pick up his pace to hurry over. It was very easy for people to forget the true age of this chaotic demon of Bamboo Scroll Lake.

After arriving at the door, Gu Can greeted his mother before staring at Chen Ping’an and saying in a quiet voice, “You’ve come back?”

Chen Ping’an nodded and replied, “I’ve already heard about the matters that took place in Cyan Gorge Island. There are a few things that I want to say to you.”

Gu Can’s mother had already tactfully taken her leave.

Chen Ping’an walked with Gu Can to the ruins of Hengbo Residence, saying slowly, “The more chaotic the situation, the more one needs to remain composed. Agitation will lead to mistakes, so becoming agitated is the least desired outcome.”

Gu Can nodded in understanding.

“Oriole Island’s Yuan Yuan has already pledged his loyalty to the Great Li Empire. Are you aware of this?” Chen Ping’an asked.

Gu Can nodded again and replied, “I heard about it. Nothing in the world can be kept secret forever. After I met with you last time, Lü Caisang never visited me again, and it was actually Han Jingling and Huang He who especially came to Cyan Gorge Island to visit me following Su Gaoshan’s appearance and Liu Zhimao’s capture. Huang He even wanted to enter your room to take a look, but I rejected his request. His expression became quite dark at the time.”

Chen Ping’an shot a glance at Gu Can.

Gu Can smiled and said, “I know now that I’m not very smart, but I’m not too stupid either, am I?”

Chen Ping’an nodded and replied, “There’s no need to feel disappointed in people like Han Jingling and Huang He. To do so would be stupid. At the same time, there’s no need to feel disappointed in Lü Caisang. To do so would be lacking smarts. The two of you are true friends, so since that’s the case, you should put yourself in his shoes to consider his current situation. Lü Caisang also belongs to a force and has his own responsibilities, so true friends should be more considerate of each other.

“The world is complicated, so don’t dream about everything being perfect. It’s naturally the best if things are perfect, but if they aren’t, then save your feelings for later. Perhaps you’ll experience the best friendship someday in the future. At that time, you can enjoy your friendship as if it’s aged fine wine.”

Gu Can remained silent for a moment before asking, “Chen Ping’an, is it too late for me to listen to your principles and reasonings now?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and replied, “No, it’s not too late.”

“But I’m still the same Gu Can as before, so what should I do?” Gu Can asked.

“Any small improvement is improvement, and learning one extra principle is one extra principle,” Chen Ping’an said.

The two of them didn’t say anything else, silently walking to the ruins of Hengbo Residence just like that.

“Do you want to leave Bamboo Scroll Lake with me?” Chen Ping’an asked. “You’ll still be able to return in the future like I’m doing right now.”

“Then what about my mother?” Gu Can asked.

Chen Ping’an didn’t offer a response.

He was simply giving Gu Can a choice.

Gu Can shook his head and replied, “I know you’re doing this for my sake, but I can’t leave Bamboo Scroll Lake with you. I won’t feel at ease if I leave. Even if I can’t do anything by staying here, leaving just like this will leave a sour taste in my mouth. I won’t be able to forgive myself. I’ve already betrayed your trust, and I let the small catfish down as well. I can’t let my mother down too. However, I won’t regret my decision. You can scold me if you want, Chen Ping’an.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t force a choice onto Gu Can, nor did he scold Gu Can.

Gu Can found this slightly strange.

Chen Ping’an held his hands inside his opposite sleeves, looking at the puzzled Gu Can as he said quietly, “Have I ever scolded the snotty little kid from Clay Vase Alley?”

Gu Can smiled when he heard this.

He also started to cry.

So this was how it was. Chen Ping’an’s principles were actually this simple.