Unsheathed

Song Fengshan didn’t drink much, and Liu Qian only drank a single cup of wine as a token gesture.

The two pots of wine that the villa had made by itself and aged for five years were all drunk up by Song Yushao and Chen Ping’an.

Upon hearing that Chen Ping’an planned to leave in two days, Song Yushao waved a hand and instructed, “Bring two more pots of wine over! If this young boy is able to out-drink me, then I’ll allow him to immediately piss off after drinking to say nothing of waiting for two days.”

Liu Qian didn’t hesitate at all as she stood up to grab two pots of wine.

Chen Ping’an felt slightly helpless, and he relented, “Then I’ll leave in three days. I genuinely have matters to attend to, Senior Song, and I need to board an intercontinental ship heading to the Northern Complete Reed Continent. If I miss this intercontinental ship, then I’ll be forced to wait for at least one more month.”

Song Yushao glared at him and exclaimed, “Then why don’t you leave right now, huh? You can’t even delay things for one or two days? Am I, Song Yushao, too unimportant, or are you, Chen Ping’an, too important nowadays?”

“People all say that the honor of the cultivation world becomes most evident when persuading each other to drink,” Chen Ping’an mumbled.

Song Yushao smacked the table and scolded, “Shut up and drink your wine! Always whining about this and that… If you ask me, I’d say that young girl has bad eyesight and observation skills, or else how could she have become attracted to a man like you, someone who remains hesitant and indecisive even after drinking wine?! What’s wrong, have the two of you split up already?”

Chen Ping’an’s mood improved greatly upon hearing this, and a bright glimmer appeared in his eyes as he spoke with confidence and vigor. However, he was slightly tongue-tied as he talked, and he retorted, “Let’s drink, let’s drink. Me? Afraid of you? You truly screwed me over back then, Senior Song! You scared me half-dead with your remark back then, but it thankfully didn’t matter in the end… Here, here, here, let’s drink this bowl of wine before I continue. To tell you the truth, Senior Song, your ability to hold alcohol has gotten worse over time. How many bowls have you had? Yet, look at how flushed your cheeks have already become. It’s as if you’ve put on some rouge…”

Song Yushao was infuriated upon hearing this, and he challenged, “If you’re so capable, then let’s see you drink without your hand shaking the entire time! Hold your bowl steady, or else you’re losing a drop of friendship with each drop of wine that you dare to spill!”

Song Fengshan and Liu Qian were secretly enjoying the show. Chen Ping’an was still young, after all, and he wasn’t familiar with the ability of the older generation to persuade others to drink. They had a myriad of methods that were incredibly difficult to guard against.

The elder and the youth drank as if there were no tomorrow.

In the end, what Song Fengshan and Liu Qian saw was the two people taking off their boots and sitting cross-legged on their chairs.

Fortunately, Song Fengshan kept them in check and refused to give them more wine no matter what. Only then did Song Yushao and Chen Ping’an relent and give up their competition. Otherwise, they could have drunk until they barfed and then kept drinking afterward anyway.

Chen Ping’an stayed in the same building as back then, the one that was fairly close to the Mountain and Water Pavilion and the waterfall.

He lay down and fell asleep straight away.

Song Yushao didn’t fare much better, and he staggered around as he returned to his residence. It wasn’t long before thunderous snores traveled out from his room.

Chen Ping’an was genuinely drunk, but he still managed to just barely maintain a wisp of clarity as he lay in bed with his eyes closed.

There was something wrong with Senior Song’s mental state.

Otherwise, the Water Combing Nation’s sword saint from back then wouldn’t have reacted as he did today. Even if he were forced to accept Han Yuanshan’s proposal due to his concern about his descendant’s future, and were forced to turn down Su Lang’s challenge due to the circumstances, he definitely wouldn’t have acted and responded as he did today.

He wouldn’t have accepted his old age and accepted his fate just like that.

However, Chen Ping’an didn’t directly ask Senior Song about this. He didn’t mention this matter even after having so much to drink.

It wasn’t the case that he could become drunk and say anything he wanted just because they had a good relationship.

After all, was it not common for one or two unintentional remarks to become knots in the hearts of very close friends or relatives?

Near the end of their drinking competition…

Song Yushao had suddenly glanced at the bamboo hat on the table as well as the long sword on Chen Ping’an’s back, and he had asked, “Is the sword on your back good?”

Chen Ping’an had nodded in response and replied, “It’s good.”

Song Yushao had smiled and said, “Then that’s good.”

Chen Ping’an had felt very confused, but he hadn’t thought much about it. He didn’t have the time to worry about it as he drank and burped.

A hint of dejection had appeared on Song Fengshan and Liu Qian’s faces, but they had concealed this very well, covering it up in the blink of an eye.

Chen Ping’an had a raging headache from drinking too much, and he murmured to himself as he fell asleep.

Wine available today, I indulge until I’m drunk, feeling like an immortal in my inebriated state; Worries descend tomorrow, I worry about them then, always wine available to wash away my sorrows.

————

Chen Ping’an opened his eyes early in the morning, brushing his teeth and washing his face before following that small and serene path to the waterfall.

He naturally wasn’t practicing fist techniques this time, and he simply wanted to check out the character that he had secretly carved on the cliff face all those years ago.

However, the person who greeted him at the Mountain and Water Pavilion was Song Fengshan instead of Song Yushao.

Chen Ping’an quickly walked over, and Song Fengshan stood up to greet him.

Song Fengshan smiled and said, “It’s rare for Grandpa to drink with no restraint, and he’s still yet to wake up.”

Chen Ping’an felt slightly guilty, and he fell silent for a moment before looking around and asking, “Do you truly not think it’s a pity to move away from here just like that?”

“Mhm, of course I feel slightly reluctant to leave,” Song Fengshan replied. “However, Grandpa made this decision himself, and he voluntarily instructed someone to deliver this message to Han Yuanshan. In reality, both Liu Qian and I wanted to turn down Han Yuanshan’s offer back then. Our thinking at the time was that we would take a step back, at most allowing Wang Yiran, who Grandpa also acknowledges, to win the battle between the saber and the sword. That way, Wang Yiran could rightfully become the alliance leader of the Water Combing Nation’s martial arts world.

“At the same time, the Sword Water Villa definitely wouldn’t relocate. This villa is built on the blood, sweat, and tears of Grandpa, after all. However, Grandpa didn’t accept our suggestion, saying that an inanimate villa couldn’t compare to living people. That being the case, what can’t be let go? You also understand Grandpa’s temper — he’s a very stubborn person.”

Chen Ping’an nodded in agreement and said, “Senior Song is indeed a stubborn person. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone by himself to block the large army of the Water Combing Nation back then.”

Song Yushao was a very important person to Chen Ping’an.

When it came to some people, them staying in the cultivation world and interacting with other people would be as if they were holding a pot of wine and filling the cups of other people, filling it with chivalry and honor. People could accept these wine cups and drink freely without a worry in the world.

Song Fengshan smiled and said, “Grandpa already has no attachment to the current cultivation world, always saying that it’s difficult to even find a drinking buddy. It’s because of this that he’s made such choices.”

These words were seemingly too heavy, so Song Fengshan quickly joked and said, “Chen Ping’an, don’t be afraid to visit our new villa for a drink just because Grandpa is forcing you to drink too much. To be fair, you share part of the blame as well, saying that you needed to leave so soon. Grandpa naturally wouldn’t delay your journey for real, but old people are all like this when they drink with other people. He was also reluctant to back down in front of his grandchild, so he could only drink bowl after bowl of wine with you.”

“I understand this,” Chen Ping’an said with a smile.

“To tell you the truth, Wei Wei suddenly sent a flying sword to Liu Qian last night, simply asking if you were at the villa. By the looks of it, she would have rushed over here if we had responded truthfully. However, I told Liu Qian to pretend that we hadn’t received the flying sword yet. Only after you leave will we respond and say that you did indeed visit, but you were only here to enjoy some drinks with Grandpa.”

Chen Ping’an cupped his fists in a grateful salute.

After having too many bowls of wine last night, Chen Ping’an probably mentioned some matters regarding his recent encounter with Wei Wei, one of the four evil spirits of the Water Combing Nation. However, he didn’t mention anything about the mountain lord that he had come across afterward.

This was a mess that Chen Ping’an needed to clean up by himself.

For example, he could find an opportunity to send a messenger flying sword to Wei Bo after arriving at the immortal ferry station on Earth Dragon Mountain, asking about the significance of this matter as well as the expected reactions of the local imperial court and the officials of the Great Li Empire under normal circumstances.

Wei Bo was the formal god of the Great Li Empire’s Northern Mountain, and the Water Combing Nation located far away in the central region of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent naturally wasn’t part of his jurisdiction. However, it was precisely because of this that Chen Ping’an had acted in such a bold and decisive manner. Otherwise, he would have genuinely held back and taken a more measured approach.

Song Fengshan pointed in the direction of the small town and said, “Su Lang has already left with his sword attendant, and I’m sure that an astonishing piece of news will rapidly spread through the one dozen or so neighboring nations like wildfire. Su Lang engaged in a life-and-death battle with a sword immortal from the mountains, and he won honor and respect even though he lost the battle.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t dwell on this spread of fake news, and he chuckled, “I’ve never really understood the existence of sword attendants.”

The imperial concubine of the Great Li Empire had used a sword attendant back then, just as Green Bamboo Sword Immortal Su Lang was doing now.

There was a slightly awkward expression on Song Fengshan’s face.

“Big Brother Song also feels the same way?” Chen Ping’an asked.

“I only dare to think about it in my mind,” Song Fengshan replied in a low voice.

Chen Ping’an rubbed his chin. He hadn’t understood this matter at all in the beginning, but after mulling over it from the perspective of other people, he immediately understood Song Fengshan’s position.

In any case, sword attendants weren’t something that he would ever consider.

Chen Ping’an suddenly furrowed his brows. This Su Lang was truly giving him no reprieve.

Right at this moment, the old steward with the surname Chu briskly walked over and stood outside the small pavilion, saying with a bitter smile, “Green Bamboo Sword Immortal Su Lang has come here in secret. He’s waiting outside the entrance right now, and he asked to have an audience with Young Master Chen, saying that he has a bold request to make of Young Master Chen. He also said that there will definitely be generous repayments in the future.”

Song Fengshan thought about this for a brief moment before quickly understanding the crux of the issue. He chuckled coldly and said, “This is the second time that he’s pushing his luck.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and waved his hand, saying, “That’s not a problem. After all, I drank so much of the villa’s fine wine yesterday.”

Song Fengshan shook his head and said, “These are two different matters!”

“It’s not like you can block me, Big Brother Song,” Chen Ping’an joked.

Song Fengshan smiled faintly and replied, “Even ten Song Fengshans can’t block you. However, you’re already referring to me as Big Brother Song, so…”

Before Song Fengshan could finish his sentence…

“Go!”

Chen Ping’an had already put his index finger and middle finger together, lightly brushing them over his sword scabbard and warning, “You can cause a bigger commotion, but remember not to hurt anyone.”

Sword Immortal flew out of its scabbard.

It navigated out of the Mountain and Water Pavilion and soared into the clouds, carving a golden thread in the sky.

The sword qi carried with it a thunderous rumble, causing the sea of clouds above the Sword Water Villa to crumble into pieces.

The golden thread occasionally approached the mountain villa at a rapid speed, but it would quickly soar back into the sky every single time.

A moment later, Chen Ping’an looked up and said with a smile, “It’s returning.”

As if being commanded by an immortal, the sword weaving through the sky like a flood dragon rapidly descended and returned to its scabbard.

Song Fengshan was completely dumbfounded.

He knew that Chen Ping’an’s martial arts skills were definitely very terrifying right now, or he wouldn’t have been able to defeat Su Lang. However, Song Fengshan hadn’t imagined that it would be so terrifying that it could scare someone to death!

Chen Ping’an flicked his wrist and handed a pot of crow caw wine to Song Fengshan, suppressing a laugh as he said, “I’ve enjoyed the fine wine of the villa, so you should also try some of my wine. I’m not like Senior Song, and I won’t trick others by saying that wine can numb the pain caused by spiciness. However, this wine can genuinely alleviate a hangover.”

Song Fengshan cracked open the clay seal and smelled the wine, commenting, “It’s authentic immortal wine. This is what I call good wine.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “The only good thing about this kind of wine is that it tastes good. I never dwell on it, and I’ll drink it if it’s available and forget about it if it isn’t. However, I’ve thought about the wine at Big Brother Song’s Sword Water Villa for many years already.”

Song Fengshan raised the wine pot and Chen Ping’an raised his Sword Nurturing Gourd, with the two of them saying in unison, “Bottoms up!”

Song Fengshan downed half of the wine pot’s content before stopping. Chen Ping’an stood up and said that he wanted to take a look at the waterfall.

Song Fengshan didn’t accompany him.

When they left the Mountain and Water Pavilion together, there was another pot of wine in Song Fengshan’s hand as he walked back. This was apparently crow caw wine from Bamboo Scroll Lake, and he offered it to the old steward, Grandpa Chu, saying that it was a small gift from Chen Ping’an. The young man would chat with him afterward and give him more wine once he finished, so he definitely didn’t need to save it up.

The old steward had already enjoyed a very good relationship with Chen Ping’an back then, and a smile spread across his face as he accepted the wine pot. He would accept all wine from the young man regardless of whether it was good or bad. He wouldn’t hold back at all. He said that Green Bamboo Sword Immortal Su Lang had already left, holding his sword and bowing deeply in respect toward the entrance of the villa before he did so.

Liu Qian came across Song Fengshan and the old steward halfway along the path, and she greeted Grandpa Chu before the old man smiled and took his leave.

The couple had just walked together for a short moment when they saw Song Yushao walking over.

Song Fengshan smiled when he saw his grandpa, and he reassured, “Don’t worry, Grandpa, I won’t be a big mouth.”

Only after hearing this did Song Yushao pat his grandson’s shoulder and continue to walk forward, making his way to the Mountain and Water Pavilion which was still some distance from the waterfall. He started to reminisce on the past after sitting down, and this was very typical for people of old age, just like how they went to bed late and woke up early. Young people seldom understood this. In reality, old people were always thinking about past friends and past matters, and these were things that young people often didn’t like to listen to. As such, old people could only reminisce on these things by themselves.