Unsheathed

Chapter 465 (2): A Downtrodden Mountain Without Chen Ping’an

Chen Ping’an was slightly hesitant, but Zhu Lian felt like this was a perfect plan, and he turned to Cen Yuanji with a smile as he said, “You’ve been dealt an immense blessing. The Mountain Shaking Fist harbors boundless fist intent. From this day forth, you will focus entirely on repeating the six-step walking meditation over and over again.”

Zhu Lian then turned back to Chen Ping’an with a smile.

“It’s not like you can’t teach her the six-step walking meditation,” Chen Ping’an said.

A shameful look appeared on Zhu Lian’s face as he said, “While I’m capable of performing the six-step walking meditation, I can’t do it anywhere near as gracefully as you, and I’m afraid that Cen Yuanji may be led astray by my terrible demonstration. When you perform the six-step walking meditation, it’s truly a sight for sore eyes, a blissful experience for the fortunate beholder…”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t bear Zhu Lian’s flattery any longer, so he relayed Cui Cheng’s instructions to him. After hearing what he had to say, Zhu Lian fell silent with a glum look on his face.

Chen Ping’an had to suppress an amused smile.

Shortly thereafter, Zhu Lian departed with Cen Yuanji, and on the way back, she noticed that he seemed to have been in a rather sour mood.

Back at the Cen Clan’s residence, Zhu Lian had declared that he was a sixth tier martial artist on the cusp of reaching the Vajra Body Tier, and she had the potential to become a seventh tier martial artist in the future.

Could it be that the old man who constantly stayed in that bamboo building was a Vajra Body Tier master? Otherwise, what gave him the right to dictate terms to Zhu Lian?

Zhu Lian demonstrated the six-step walking meditation to Cen Yuanji in a serious manner, and after just three repetitions, she was already looking quite proficient.

Zhu Lian told her that she had to complete two hundred thousand repetitions of the six-step walking meditation before she could officially commence her martial arts training, and that she would demonstrate the six-step walking meditation to her thrice each day from here onward to ensure that she didn’t stray down any incorrect paths.

Cen Yuanji had been brimming with morale as she vowed to train diligently and conscientiously.

Zhu Lian clasped his hands behind his back and made his way out of the courtyard.

Unbeknownst to Cen Yuanji, her first test had already commenced.

From here, it would be examined when she would be able to complete the two hundred thousand repetitions of walking meditation, and how many repetitions it would take during that time for her to go from simply imitating the form of the walking meditation to truly grasping its essence, as well as how much fist intent she could attain.

Would she sacrifice quality for speed and take shortcuts along the way, dooming her martial arts journey before she had even truly embarked upon it?

Her aptitude, resilience, and mindset for martial arts would all be fully revealed by the time she completed her two hundred thousand repetitions.

Given her aptitude, it was almost certain that she would be able to reach the Vajra Body Tier, but as for whether she would have any chance of reaching the Far Roaming Tier and even the Mountain Summit Tier, that would also all be revealed during these two hundred thousand repetitions.

Hence, while this had only seemed like a casual and irresponsible training regimen proposed by Cui Cheng, it was actually one that was very profound and meaningful.

Zhu Lian was actually rather reluctant to take part in Chen Ping’an’s training with Cui Cheng as that would hinder him from going to the prefectural city to purchase books for his new scripture library.

————

Over the next few days, Zhu Lian was beaten to within an inch of his life on many occasions, and Chen Ping’an didn’t fare any better.

However, in contrast with Chen Ping’an, who had to grit his teeth and persevere through each sparring session, Zhu Lian quickly became addicted to being beaten, as expected of the Martial Arts Maniac of the Lotus Flower Blessed Land who had once tried to take on nine formidable assailants at once.

What happened from there onward came as a surprise even to Cui Cheng. After developing a liking for the beatings that he was receiving, Zhu Lian began constantly provoking Cui Cheng in all types of different ways during their sparring sessions. Just as Cui Cheng had said, Zhu Lian couldn’t truly kill Chen Ping’an, but Cui Cheng could force him to strike with the intent to kill.

In any case, with Cui Cheng supervising their sparring matches, Chen Ping’an was never in any real danger. However, Zhu Lian took advantage of this, continuing to refuse to go at Chen Ping’an with true killing intent in order to intentionally provoke Cui Cheng.

What could Cui Cheng do in this situation? It wasn’t like he could actually kill Zhu Lian, so instead, he could only beat Zhu Lian to within an inch of his life each time, but that only played into Zhu Lian’s hands.

This period of training had been more satisfying for Chen Ping’an than any previous stint.

Zhu Lian was taking their sparring matches far more seriously, but whenever Chen Ping’an was laying in a corner, clinging onto his last breath as he watched Zhu Lian being horrifically abused by Cui Cheng, he felt very fortunate.

Furthermore, the near-deranged state of immersion that Zhu Lian was able to enter in the heat of battle had been truly eye-opening to Chen Ping’an, and he presumed Cui Cheng was intentionally keeping him conscious during these training sessions so he could watch Zhu Lian and take inspiration from him.

If it weren’t for the huge age gap between them and Zhu Lian’s insistence on regarding himself as Chen Ping’an’s servant, they would’ve truly been a pair of brothers in arms, battling in the trenches together.

On this day, late at night, the two of them were seated at the stone table.

Zhu Lian took an eager glance at the bamboo building, and it took him a great deal of self-restraint not to begin hurling profanities at Cui Cheng in order to provoke another beating out of him.

Chen Ping’an didn’t know what to say.

At the very most, he only had a great capacity for enduring hardship, while Zhu Lian truly reveled in hardship.

“Senior Cui is able to completely dominate me even with his cultivation base suppressed to the Vajra Body Tier, while you were able to stand toe to toe against me at the Vajra Body Tier even when you were only at the fifth tier. Both you and Senior Cui are truly outstanding prodigies,” Zhu Lian praised.

“Don’t involve me in your flattery,” Chen Ping’an scoffed.

A serious look suddenly appeared on Zhu Lian’s face as he said, “Senior Cui is a very diligent and attentive teacher.”

Chen Ping’an nodded as he replied, “He wants me to know that there are still people like you in this world, and that my willpower is really nothing to be proud of.”

A guilty look appeared on Zhu Lian’s face as he sighed, “Each punch that I deal upon you is like a blow to my own heart.”

“Cut the crap,” Chen Ping’an scoffed in amusement.

“Cen Yuanji is progressing rather slowly in her walking meditation,” Zhu Lian sighed.

Chen Ping’an nodded in response and didn’t try to defend her. However, he did make a fair and candid statement as he said, “You can’t expect everyone to be like you. Even when it came to myself, I was only so diligent and conscientious in my walking meditation practice as my life literally depended on it.”

“Don’t downplay yourself like that, Young Master. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be doing justice to the over one million repetitions that you performed even after your life was no longer under threat,” Zhu Lian said with a shake of his head.

“Is there any way to elevate Cen Yuanji’s fist intent in a relatively natural fashion without affecting her mental state?” Chen Ping’an asked.

“I have a way to achieve this, but it’ll require a big sacrifice on your part,” Zhu Lian replied.

“What do you have in mind?” Chen Ping’an asked in a curious manner.

A hesitant look appeared on Zhu Lian’s face as he lowered his voice and said, “You can pretend to be the perverted mountain master that she thinks of you as and try to have your way with her on a dark and stormy night. Right as you’re about to force her down, I will just so happen to stumble upon the scene and beg you to let her go while kowtowing earnestly.

“You’ll leave in a fit of rage and embarrassment, but as you depart, you’ll take an indignant look back at her bed. After that, I’ll console her and tell her that only by practicing her fist techniques more diligently can she hope to protect herself from those who lust after her…”

Chen Ping’an removed his Sword Nurturing Gourd from his waist, then chugged down several large mouthfuls of wine in succession to force down the profanities threatening to burst out.

Finally, he asked, “How about we switch roles in this scenario?”

“Cen Yuanji already has preconceived notions of the two of us that are set in stone, so she won’t believe that I would do something like that to her, and if she does, then she’ll most likely try to flee the mountain even if it costs her her life,” Zhu Lian replied in a resigned manner.

“I’m curious, why is it that Cen Yuanji is so convinced that you’re a good person, while I’m some no-good scumbag?” Chen Ping’an asked.

Zhu Lian considered the question for a moment, then replied, “Nice guys finish last?”

Chen Ping’an was seriously considering drawing Sword Immortal to hack Zhu Lian to bits.

Zhu Lian didn’t take further jabs at Chen Ping’an as he sheepishly asked for a flagon of wine. He told Chen Ping’an that as the loyal old servant that he was, he had suppressed his desire to take any of the jars of fine wine that were being buried, and that he was now sorely regretting the decision.

Chen Ping’an told him to piss off.

Zhu Lian knew that there was no chance of him securing any wine, so he changed the subject as he smiled and asked, “Young Master, isn’t it a little too dull and pedantic of you to be so distant to the opposite sex at such a young age? There are many good men throughout history that have had no lack of female soulmates.”

Chen Ping’an strapped his Sword Nurturing Gourd back to his waist, then tucked his hands up their opposite sleeves as he cast his gaze into the distance and replied, “If any women fall in love with me during my travels, I may not be able to stop them, but I will only love a single woman in this lifetime. It’s something that I can do and something that I must do.”

Zhu Lian scratched his head and didn’t say anything.

Chen Ping’an waited for a long while, then turned to him with a raised eyebrow as he remarked, “I’m surprised you don’t have any disingenuous flattery for me this time.”

Zhu Lian shook his head as he murmured in earnest, “Devotion is not something to be made fun of.”

“Only someone with a heart of devotion themselves can say something like that,” Chen Ping’an mused.

Zhu Lian slammed a hand down onto the table as he exclaimed, “You really are an exceptional man, Young Master! That was such a natural and seamless piece of flattery! I cannot even begin to compare!”

Chen Ping’an was really struggling to hold back the urge to lash out as he threatened, “Just you wait until we’re both at the same cultivation base.”

“That could come as quickly as tomorrow,” Zhu Lian replied with a nod, and he made the statement with a faultless look of sincerity, rendering Chen Ping’an completely speechless.

In the end, he changed the subject as he said, “I can tell that Pei Qian is getting along really well with those two little ones, but I’m worried that she may be led astray, particularly seeing as I spend so much time away from Downtrodden Mountain. Have you noticed any problems that I may have missed? If so, then feel free to tell me, even if those problems may concern some sensitive subjects.”

“I am always an open book in your presence, Young Master,” Zhu Lian replied with a smile and a shake of his head.

Chen Ping’an heaved a resigned sigh and fell silent.

“Right now, there still aren’t many people on Downtrodden Mountain, so there are very few problems. When it comes to external affairs, you’ve already taken care of all of the major ones. As for the minor ones, such as repaying the neighbors who once blessed you with kindness, Ms. Ruan has already made the appropriate arrangements.

“I’ve also taken over the two shops, which aren’t difficult to operate, so there are no problems there, either. Many of the people who’ve helped you in the past have already moved to the prefectural city and become very wealthy, so some of them have kindly declined my gifts, but I still make sure to visit them in the new year each year to extend some season’s greetings.

“In contrast, some others have become even greedier after attaining more wealth, but as long as their demands aren’t too excessive, I generally fulfill them so that our Downtrodden Mountain won’t owe them anything in the future. For those that have made excessive and unreasonable demands, I simply ignore them.

“As for those who are still in underprivileged situations, I didn’t give them too much money, but I’ll pay them more frequent visits and occasionally ask them if there are any matters of urgency that must be attended to. If I can help them, then I do so, and if I can’t then, then I just have to play dumb,” Zhu Lian replied.

For those who knew about Zhu Lian’s life in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, they would be aware that he was extremely adept at dealing with mortal affairs, whether it be ordinary family affairs or imperial and military affairs.

Zhu Lian smiled as he continued, “Outside of that, there are only some minor problems that would be unbefitting for me to resolve in your stead. Upon your return to Downtrodden Mountain, those problems will quickly cease to exist. Hence, from the bottom of my heart, Young Master, make sure to come back no matter how far you travel and how arduous your journey is. Downtrodden Mountain will always await your return.”

Chen Ping’an nodded in response.

“There’s no need to worry excessively about Downtrodden Mountain when you travel to the Northern Complete Reed Continent in the future, Young Master. With Senior Cui, myself, and now Brother Dafeng on the mountain, we’ll be sure to take care of whatever problems may arise,” Zhu Lian said with a smile.

Chen Ping’an nodded once again, then asked in a curious manner, “Why is it that Shi Rou isn’t as wary of you as she was in the past?”

A bashful smile appeared on Zhu Lian’s face as he replied, “Perhaps it’s because after being around me for so long, she’s come to realize that I’m not actually so hideous to look at? After all, back when I was in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, I was lauded as an otherworldly immortal and a noble gentleman.”

“I certainly can’t tell,” Chen Ping’an scoffed with a shake of his head.

Zhu Lian tucked his hands up their opposite sleeves as he chuckled with a reminiscent look on his face, “Back in the day, countless women in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land doomed themselves to spending their entire lives tormented by lovesickness just from taking a glance at my portrait.”

“How did your looks from back then compare with Cui Dongshan’s?” Chen Ping’an asked with a smile.

Zhu Lian considered the question for a moment, then replied in a serious manner, “Objectively speaking, I was even more handsome in my prime.”

“Then there must’ve been countless men itching to beat you to a pulp!” Chen Ping’an mused.

“Indeed, that’s why I had to learn martial arts,” Zhu Lian replied with a smile.

Chen Ping’an faltered slightly upon hearing this, and upon realizing what Zhu Lian was implying, he challenged, “Go and say that to Senior Cui if you dare.”

Zhu Lian waved a hand as he chuckled, “I would truly be courting death then.”

“I wonder how Lu Baixiang, Sui Youbian, and Wei Xian are doing right now,” Chen Ping’an mused.

“What could they possibly make out of themselves so far away from their master?” Zhu Lian sneered in an indifferent manner.

“Are you trying to get back at them now that they’re not here?” Chen Ping’an asked with a smile.

“You have read my mind once again, Young Master,” Zhu Lian chuckled.

“Zhu Lian, if you ever want to go out to explore the world someday, just tell me, and I’ll let you go. You have no obligation to stay by my side,” Chen Ping’an suddenly said in a sincere manner.

“I appreciate it, Young Master, but I really don’t want to go anywhere. I’ve already traveled far too much back in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, for my clan and my nation, for loyalty and family… There were so many exhausting obligations that I had to fulfill. Besides, the final journey that I took, particularly the battle of the Upper Ten Elites in the Southern Garden Nation, was a journey that I embarked on solely for myself, so I had no regrets in that lifetime.

“One who knows oneself will have no worries in the world, and one who is content will always be happy… How’s that, Young Master? Is that a quote worthy of inscription on one of your bamboo slips?” Zhu Lian asked.

Initially, Chen Ping’an had been listening in earnest, but the mood was completely spoiled by Zhu Lian’s final question, and a dark look appeared on his face as he rose to his feet and made his way into the first floor of the bamboo building.

Zhu Lian also rose to his feet to watch Chen Ping’an leave, and only after the door was closed did he sit back down.

Seated at the stone table on his own, he cast his gaze toward the distant night scenery, accompanied only by the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping insects.

It was truly a blissful paradise.

What more could one ask for?

Moments later, he looked around to ensure that there was no one nearby, then sneakily pulled a book out from within his robe and began reading through it. A peaceful night was well and good, but there had to be a bit of spice in life.

————

The next day, Chen Ping’an didn’t go to the second floor to resume his training as the Great Li Empire’s Assistant Minister of Rites had arrived on Cloud Drape Mountain to sign the mountain purchase agreement with him.

Wei Bo personally arrived on Downtrodden Mountain before taking Chen Ping’an to Forest Deer Academy, where the old assistant minister and some other officials were already waiting.

Chen Ping’an wasn’t unfamiliar with the assistant minister. In fact, they had met on several occasions following the fall of the Jewel Small World.

This was Chen Ping’an’s first time coming to the new academy, and he was spared a long walk thanks to Wei Bo delivering him directly to his destination.

Ruan Qiong wasn’t present. He had already departed from the Disciple in secret, and the Golden Core Tier earth immortal of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, Dong Gu, was here in his place, holding his private seal. This as the token of a sage, and the fact that such an important item had been left to Dong Gu was sufficient testament to the degree of trust that Ruan Qiong had in this disciple of his.

In addition to the most important alliance agreement, there were several mountain title deeds laid out on the table.

Ox Horn Mountain, which once belonged to the Cloth Wrapper Shop, the Light Breeze City Xu Clan’s Cinnabar Mountain, Gray Veil Mountain, which was the largest of the mountains and closest to Downtrodden Mountain, Ao Back Ridge, Exuberant Dawn Peak, and the westernmost Sword Worship Plateau. These six mountains of different sizes were all going to be under Chen Ping’an’s ownership.

The signatures and seals on the contract belonged to Chen Ping’an, the old assistant minister, who was carrying both the Great Li Empire’s imperial jade seal and the official seal of the Ministry of Rites, and Ruan Qiong’s seal, which was in Dong Gu’s possession. There was also Wei Bo, who removed his golden earring and somehow transformed it into a round seal.

The two assistant mountain masters of the academy were also present, but they were only there to spectate.

One of them was a vastly renowned and highly reputable Confucian scholar of the Great Li Empire, and it was said that many of the plaques and couplets in the scholarly temples and martial sage temples of the Dragon Spring Prefecture had been inscribed by him.

As for the other assistant mountain master, that was a familiar face.

It was the old Confucian scholar that Chen Ping’an’s group had encountered in the Yellow Court Nation, the true identity of which was an old flood dragon that had been living for countless years and was the father of Wu Yi of the Purple Sun Residence.

Dragon Spring Prefectural Overseen Wu, County Magistrate Yuan, and Kiln Supervision Official Cao were also present.

Dong Gu was also accompanied by a young man, namely Xie Ling from Peach Leaf Alley.

Even though Xie Ling was Ruan Qiong’s disciple, he shouldn’t have been present for such an important occasion.

However, the ancestor of his clan was Heavenly Lord Xie Shi, so everyone mostly turned a blind eye to his presence, while the old assistant minister even struck up a brief conversation with him.

Xie Ling carried himself in a very composed and appropriate manner, displaying no arrogance or timidity. After his brief conversation with the assistant minister, he continued to remain silent, and his attention was only drawn by the arrival of Chen Ping’an.

Ma Kuxuan of Apricot Blossom Alley and Chen Ping’an of Clay Vase Alley were both already very renowned names in the Dragon Spring Prefecture’s cultivation world.

One was a cultivation prodigy that had slain a Golden Core Tier swordsman in a direct battle, while the other was a prominent landlord who had several mountains in his possession, with several more to be acquired on this day.

However, there were rumors going around that they weren’t on very good terms with one another, and that a battle had even taken place between them some years ago at the immortal tomb.

Xie Ling was really curious about how Chen Ping’an had survived, if such a battle had truly taken place.

After all, Ma Kuxuan had always been the target that he had been pursuing.

Not only did he have an almighty ancestor, he had also once caught the eye of Branch Master Lu Chen, who had personally bestowed upon him the treasure pagoda that was close to a celestial tool.

Hence, Xie Ling had always had his sights firmly on the very pinnacle of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, and only very occasionally would he look down at the people below.

Someone else that he was interested in was Liu Xianyang, who had survived what had appeared to be certain death and was taken to the Southern Whirl Continent to study under the Pure Confucian Chen Clan, so he definitely had a bright future ahead as well.