Unsheathed

Guan Yiran had drunk wine with many people before, both as a host and as a guest.

Once upon a time, a lofty Nascent Tier immortal from the Great Li Empire had personally appeared when Guan Yiran returned from the border regions, finding him at Chi’er Street and saying that he wanted to drink with him and discuss some matters.

Guan Yiran had smiled and asked the immortal who had a terrible reputation, “Are you worthy?”

Back then, everyone present had felt like Guan Yiran had perhaps had one too many drinks, with his offensive retort certain to cause huge trouble for him. He might have to drink some punishment wine even if he were from the Guan Clan.

After Guan Yiran returned to his home in Yichi Alley, however, his great-grandfather had laughed heartily and forcefully patted him on the shoulder again and again.

That was the second time Guan Yiran had seen his great-grandfather in such a happy state. The first time was when he had decided to join the army and become the lowest-level scout cultivator on the border regions.

There were always some people who felt like status was the only thing that could determine whether they had the right to sit at the table and drink wine with everyone else.

Even if these people enjoyed dumb luck and were able to sit down at some dinner tables, they would only know how to bow their heads and act obsequiously, taking the initiative to toast the others again and again and making sure that their wine cups sank lower and lower to represent their lower status. In fact, it was as if they wanted to sink to the ground and drink while lying down on the floor.

This was both amusing and funny.

Guan Yiran wrapped his hand behind his head and smiled with squinted eyes, musing, “We all have our burdens to bear, every family has its hardships. We also need to understand and sympathize with these people, as there are some of them who are facing challenges in life that might be forcing them to act as such.

“Of course, most of them are wracking their brains and doing everything they can to exchange their intangible education, clan morals, and dignity for tangible gold and silver. Among them, some will genuinely succeed and rise to very high positions. However, they’ll at the very least not be able to take a seat at my table and drink with me.

“I’ll also need to work hard in order to minimize my contact with these people in the future. Otherwise, there might come a day when I’m forced to raise a toast to them, and I’ll definitely be toast at that time. Not only will I be trampling on myself, but I’ll also be trampling on the entire Guan Clan as well as all of my friends whom I’ve enjoyed a drink with.”

Chen Ping’an had already left Pond Water City, and he was naturally unaware that Guan Yiran was still thinking so far ahead and pondering on so many things.

After returning to the dock, he discovered that the immortal ship from Cyan Gorge Island was still waiting for him.

This was within reason.

Guan Yiran’s true identity was shrouded in clouds and mists and quite terrifying indeed, and this was enough to make Tian Hujun and the others reassess the situation.

Perhaps Huang He would even abandon his thoughts of inviting Chen Ping’an for a drink after hearing of the matters today. After all, he would no longer be able to show off in front of the young bookkeeper.

After Chen Ping’an boarded the louchuan, Tian Hujun said to him with an ashamed expression, “I was only able to watch on helplessly as Junior Brother and Aunty left the Spring Courtyard Mansion. I’m deeply sorry about this.”

“Human power is limited, so it’s fine as long as you tried your best,” Chen Ping’an replied with a smile.

Tian Hujun looked at Chen Ping’an’s face, especially his eyes, and she didn’t notice any sense of insincerity or ridicule. However, she still felt quite anxious as it was almost impossible for her master, Liu Zhimao, to rise to the same lofty position as before. As such, she was genuinely doing her best to plan for the future of herself and White Fish Island, but… she hadn’t done anywhere near the same for her master and her junior brother. In fact, she hadn’t done anything for them at all.

Meanwhile, Chen Ping’an had already changed the topic and asked, “How are you going to deal with the Spring Courtyard Mansion?”

Tian Hujun smiled and replied, “Mr. Chen can move in at any time as long as he’s willing to.”

Chen Ping’an shook his hand and said, “Forget about it, I’m already accustomed to living at my current place.”

Tian Hujun didn’t say anything else.

Casting one’s gaze over Cyan Gorge Island, the Spring Courtyard Mansion was second to only the Hengbo Residence in terms of spiritual energy concentration. With Gu Can’s mother moving out, Yu Gui as well as almost all of the other top-level guest elders started to covet the Spring Courtyard Mansion. As for the Hengbo Residence, they naturally wanted to turn this residence into their own possession as well. However, no one had the ability to do so, and even Tian Hujun, the current leader of Cyan Gorge Island, felt like she didn’t have the ability to rebuild the Hengbo Residence and move in.

Did she want to seek death?

As for the Spring Courtyard Mansion, Tian Hujun would definitely take this residence for herself. Regarding her question to Chen Ping’an about whether he wanted to move in or not, that was nothing more than a polite but unrealistic suggestion. She was well aware that Chen Ping’an would turn down her offer.

Interacting with smart people — especially smart people who adhered to principles and spoke reason — was relatively easy and relaxing.

Tian Hujun might have waited at the dock even if Chen Ping’an hadn’t suddenly gained a friend called Guan Yiran, but she definitely wouldn’t have greeted him personally and wasted her breath on a bookkeeper who had already lost his influence.

Tian Hujun silently accompanied him for a short while before taking her leave.

Chen Ping’an smiled faintly and nodded in acknowledgment as he held the charcoal basket in his hand.

There was a slight ripple in Tian Hujun’s heart as she looked at the haggard young man’s smile, but she didn’t dwell on this matter and think too deeply about it.

With his back facing Tian Hujun, Chen Ping’an gazed at the scenery of Bamboo Scroll Lake as his mind wandered far away.

The Jade Tablet Sect.

He hadn’t considered this possibility at all.

If it were the Jade Tablet Sect, then everything had indeed been done meticulously to a fault regarding the battle between the Great Dao that he had wracked his brains but failed to make heads or tails of before.

However, the twists and turns involved in this complicated situation were still hidden behind many different layers.

Thus, Chen Ping’an strongly approved of the warning from Guan Yiran, an observer removed from the situation.

However, this also meant that many of his plans would become reactive depending on the situation. He could only wait and see, and it was possible that this waiting would eventually render his plans useless.

For example, establishing some new rules for Bamboo Scroll Lake and obtaining an island for himself in Bamboo Scroll Lake where he could especially create a force for ghosts and yin entities to live in peace and have the ability to defend themselves against outside forces.

Chen Ping’an had thought about many things, but worldly matters were difficult to predict, so he could only make adjustments according to the direction of the situation.

This involved good things, bad things, ebbs and flows, sacrifices and gains, and all sorts of things that others didn’t know about.

Keeping quiet was the only way to deal with many things.

Chen Ping’an returned to his room after arriving at Cyan Gorge Island, with the burning charcoal in the stove providing the entire room with some warmth. There wasn’t much charcoal left in the bag, and Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but smile in self-ridicule.

If it weren’t for Guan Yiran’s appearance, perhaps he would even have to ask Cyan Gorge Island for some extra charcoal. Of course, they would still satisfy his request. Now, however, he surmised that someone would actively visit him tomorrow and ask whether he needed to replenish his stock of charcoal. In addition, he would most likely start to get more visitors starting from tomorrow, with many of them being familiar faces.

Chen Ping’an continued to settle accounts as he sat at his study desk.

He stayed up the entire night.

Morning arrived, and Chen Ping’an left his residence and took a stroll to the Vermilion Chord Residence. Doorkeeper Hong Su was still working at the Spring Courtyard Mansion, and he wondered whether the maidservants of the residence had started to gossip again following his loss of influence. Might things have become even worse than before?

However, this didn’t matter, as things had changed again now. After going through this process two or three times, those maidservants in the Spring Courtyard Mansion would most likely learn their lesson, so Hong Su presumably wouldn’t be facing too many difficulties.

The Vermilion Chord Residence’s Ghost Cultivator Ma Yuanzhi was extremely happy when he saw Chen Ping’an’s increasingly haggard appearance. He couldn’t help this, and he was truly unable to show any kindness or sympathy regarding this matter. After all, this pertained to his marriage with Princess Liu Chongrun, an incredibly important matter. Thus, he needed to take extra precautions against young men like Chen Ping’an, lest it wasn’t Chen Ping’an offering him a toast at his wedding feast, but instead him receiving an invitation to the wedding between Chen Ping’an and Liu Chongrun.

Chen Ping’an had a brief and casual chat with Ma Yuanzhi before taking his leave from the Vermilion Chord Residence.

Ma Yuanzhi hadn’t been able to wipe the smile from his face, and Chen Ping’an had appeared pleasant to his eyes no matter how he looked at the young man. He had never shown such sincerity before as he referred to Chen Ping’an as Mr. Chen.

Chen Ping’an hadn’t known whether to laugh or to cry, and he couldn’t be bothered dwelling on this matter with Ma Yuanzhi.

The new doorkeeper of the Vermilion Chord Residence was a maidservant from the Spring Courtyard Mansion, and she was extremely warm and hospitable when she saw Chen Ping’an. One had to realize that this was where Hong Su had begun her rise, and it was because of her good relationship with Chen Ping’an that she had managed to get an easy and high-ranking role at the Spring Courtyard Mansion. Chen Ping’an treated the maidservant respectfully, but that was all there was to it. What else could he talk to her about? Cyan Gorge Island was large, but how many Hong Su’s were there? There was only a single one.

Just as Chen Ping’an had guessed, several familiar faces visited Cyan Gorge Island today to chat and reminisce about the past with him.

Chen Ping’an was extremely adept at dealing with these encounters now, and he would no longer feel uncomfortable and tongue-tied like before.

It was through time and experience that he had improved little by little.

Chen Ping’an didn’t celebrate New Year at Cyan Gorge Island, and he instead rowed his boat and left Bamboo Scroll Lake. During this process, he once stopped far away from Palace Willow Island before continuing his journey.

He went to Green Parasol City and collected his horse from the inn, but it was a shame that the steamed bun shop was already closed. He wasn’t sure whether it was closed for good or whether it was just closed for the New Year and would reopen after the Lantern Festival.

Chen Ping’an was traveling on the road when New Year arrived.

He was on horseback, feeling relaxed and carefree, free from pain and suffering.

As if by coincidence, he found Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi on the first day of the New Year. They had already been waiting for him for a very long time.

Chen Ping’an rested for a day, and the three of them set off again on the second day of the New Year, following the road around Bamboo Scroll Lake as they continued to ride south.

In the end, they arrived at an immortal ferry station where an immortal ship had already been docked for an extended period of time. Chen Ping’an said that he needed to wait for someone here, but they would leave and continue their journey if this person didn’t arrive within ten days.

Between cultivation, Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi would run off to wander around the immortal ferry station and visit the many shops that stocked a myriad of goods.

After a while, Ma Duyi said that she couldn’t visit the shops to look at their goods anymore, or else she would feel a heart-wrenching pain and feel like she was far too poor.

Hearing this, Chen Ping’an gave Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi one lesser heat coin each, saying that this was a red pocket for the New Year.

Zeng Ye felt too embarrassed to accept this present, so he wouldn’t take the immortal coin no matter what. Ma Duyi was someone who wouldn’t beat around the bush and act polite with Chen Ping’an, so she even asked him whether she could take Zeng Ye’s immortal coin as well.

Chen Ping’an smiled and replied, “You don’t find the immortal coins too heavy in the hand, right?”

Ma Duyi nodded in earnest.

Chen Ping’an naturally didn’t agree to Ma Duyi’s request, and he took back the lesser heat coin and said, “Well sorry, but I also don’t find the immortal coin too heavy in my hand.”

Zeng Ye laughed loudly at Ma Duyi’s misfortune, yet he immediately bared his teeth in pain when Ma Duyi elbowed him in the side.

They waited for almost ten days at the immortal ferry station.

Evening arrived, and an immortal ship actually dared to approach the ferry station. However, the cultivators from various forces and backgrounds came to a realization when they saw the flag on the ship.

Fucking hell, it was the war flag of the barbarians from the Great Li Empire.

Chen Ping’an led that person back to the inn, and both Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi had an awkward expression.

Because the person was none other than Gu Can.

Zeng Ye was purely afraid of Gu Can.

On the other hand, Ma Duyi was feeling worried because it genuinely wasn’t a good thing for Gu Can to appear at this moment.

Many ghosts and yin entities would have been able to complete their final wishes with the help of Mr. Chen. However, it was extremely likely that they would immediately change their minds and regret their decisions once they saw Gu Can. In fact, they might become even more furious and resentful, and many yin entities might directly transform into mindless malicious ghosts. At that time, Mr. Chen would have to waste many of his talismans again.

The same night, Chen Ping’an told Zeng Ye to take out the Hall of the Underworld from the large bamboo bookcase, placing it on the table in the former’s room.

There was only Gu Can in the room.

Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi returned to their own rooms, after which Ma Duyi looked for Zeng Ye in a rare display. The two of them sat together in a daze.

Chen Ping’an lightly knocked on their door after midnight.

Ma Duyi quickly ran over to open the door, and Chen Ping’an gestured for both of them to sit down. After sitting down himself, he said in a soft voice, “There’s no need to worry about me. Just think about it, no matter how difficult the current situation is, can it possibly be as difficult as things were in the beginning?”

Zeng Ye nodded in understanding.

Ma Duyi also nodded lightly.

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “Is it tiring to accompany someone like me?”

Zeng Ye shook his head in earnest.

Ma Duyi rolled her eyes and replied, “It’s so mentally exhausting that I feel like I’m going to die.”

“Miss Ma, how can you possibly die again?” Zeng Ye asked in a timid voice.

Chen Ping’an held in a laugh.

Ma Duyi was rendered speechless by Zeng Ye in a rare display, but she made sure to punish him by forcefully stomping on his foot under the table.

Chen Ping’an held his hands inside his opposite sleeves, leaning back into his chair and closing his eyes as he said quietly, “Don’t mind me, I’m just going to take a short nap.”

Before falling asleep…

Chen Ping’an thought to himself, were the people whom he cared about in the small town still doing well?

Apart from his hometown, Dragon Spring Prefecture, there were also the other worlds and blessed lands. Were they also doing well during the New Year? Were these places also filled with swaying willow branches and blooming spring flowers?

Chen Ping’an slowly fell asleep.

He snored quietly as he slept.

By the looks of it, he was truly very tired.

Zeng Ye initially thought that Ma Duyi, who liked to mess around with Mr. Chen, would laugh at Mr. Chen’s current state.

When the tall and sturdy young boy turned around to look at her, however, he discovered that Miss Ma was sniffing with tears brimming in her eyes.

Zeng Ye was very puzzled. Wasn’t Mr. Chen just snoring a little while he slept? Was there any need for Miss Ma to be so sad?