Unsheathed

Chen Ping’an and Cui Dongshan paid a visit to the Pi Fu Shop on Old Locust Street.

Chen Ping’an was sitting on the little bamboo chair at the entrance, basking in the warm autumn sun. Cui Dongshan dismissed Shopkeeper Wang Tingfang, telling the latter that he could rest for a day. Wang Tingfang was perplexed, but he complied and departed from the Pi Fu Shop after receiving a smile and a nod from Chen Ping’an.

Business turned out to be quite good for the day because word quickly spread that an incredibly handsome young man had come to the Pi Fu Shop. Hence, most of the customers for the day were young female cultivators, and Cui Dongshan could be very convincing when he wanted to be, so he was able to earn a lot of money for the shop. His sales tactics weren’t always as scrupulous as they could’ve been, but Chen Ping’an let him do as he pleased.

The next day, Tan Ling appeared at the Talisman Water Ferry Station with Tang Xi, and of course, Song Lanqiao was also with them.

After exchanging some small talk, Chen Ping’an and Cui Dongshan boarded the ship, accompanied by Song Lanqiao. No matter how he looked at the unlikely duo, Song Lanqiao found himself struggling to connect the young sword immortal and the white-robed young man.

In particular, it was downright unimaginable to him that they could be teacher and student. However, at the same time, there was some type of unexplainable harmony and cohesion between the two. Could it be because both of them were carrying bamboo hiking poles?

Song Lanqiao didn’t dare to say much, only reporting a piece of good news to Chen Ping’an before expressing his genuine gratitude.

As it turned out, he had just been given a chair in the Spring Dew Garden’s ancestral hall. Just like Tang Xi, his chair was right at the entrance of the ancestral hall, making the duo appear like a pair of door gods for the ancestral hall, but this was a monumental honor that Song Lanqiao hadn’t even dared to yearn for in the past, and on top of that, his newfound status came with a huge additional annual allowance of immortal coins.

It was no exaggeration to say that Song Lanqiao had received an immense blessing from Chen Ping’an, but he was very intelligent in his handling of the situation. Having been a businessman for so long, he had developed a very pragmatic approach, and he wisely chose not to suck up to Chen Ping’an excessively in an effort to appease him.

On the ship, Song Lanqiao arranged for the two of them a premium cabin, and after some thought, he decided not to send in any maidservants.

Inside the cabin, Cui Dongshan poured Chen Ping’an a cup of tea, then sprawled down onto the table, his two huge white sleeves taking up close to half of the table’s surface area as he smiled and said, “In a fight, even ten Spring Dew Gardens wouldn’t be able to match up against a single Flax Robe Sect, but when it comes to doing business, the Spring Dew Garden doesn’t lose to the Flax Robe Sect at all.

“I am anticipating a long and prosperous business relationship between the Spring Dew Garden and our Downtrodden Mountain in the future.”

Chen Ping’an merely sipped his tea and didn’t say anything.

“At the moment, the Spring Dew Garden has already maximized its business potential, so Tan Ling’s main objective is to maintain the status quo,” Cui Dongshan continued. “In the immortal world, she’s fixated on attaching the Spring Dew Garden to the Flax Robe Sect, while in the mortal world, she’s primarily drawing in the Great Guan Empire.

“There’s nothing wrong with her overall strategy, but over time, she’s begun to realize the downside of her approach, which is that many senior figures have grown accustomed to benefitting from the work of others, but there are far too few people doing the actual work. In the past, even if she wanted to support Tang Xi, it would’ve simply been too risky for her to do so.

“Gao Song is the one officially in charge of the Spring Dew Garden’s finances, but he’s just an incompetent fool who only knows how to acquire money at all costs. If he and Tang Xi were to forge a secret alliance, then the consequences for her would be catastrophic, and the entire Spring Dew Garden would be turned upside down.

“There are quite a few disciples in Tan Ling’s branch, but none who can actually make a difference, so essentially, she’s all on her own, and an alliance between Tang Xi and Gao Song would be too formidable for her to oppose. She wouldn’t be able to beat them in battle, and needless to say, they would also have her thoroughly beaten in terms of wealth.

“Hence, an alliance between Tang Xi and Lin Cuo’e is actually a desirable outcome for Tan Ling. Even though Lin Cuo’e has a foul temper, she’s lacking in ambition, and she’s also quite loyal to the Spring Dew Garden. Now that Song Lanqiao has been granted a seat in the ancestral hall, he will surely be extremely grateful to Tan Ling, and things are suddenly starting to look up for the Spring Dew Garden.

“If our Downtrodden Mountain gives them a helping hand, allowing them to extend their business to the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, then that would serve as a significant morale boost for everyone in the Spring Dew Garden. Right now, there are countless projects, both major and minor, being carried out across the entirety of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent.

“The Spring Dew Garden has manpower, resources, and money, and their needs perfectly complement those of our Downtrodden Mountain, thereby making them the ideal business partner. However, we also have to be wary of the notion that the Spring Dew Garden could experience growing pains on the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, but ultimately, I’m sure this will be of benefit to everyone involved.

“And to think that you planned all of this from the very beginning. Your wisdom and foresight are truly unmatched, Teacher.”

Chen Ping’an was unable to suppress an amused chuckle as he accused, “You must be the reason why everyone on Downtrodden Mountain has turned into insincere suck-ups!”

“That’s a completely unfair assessment!” Cui Dongshan protested in an indignant voice. “Chef Zhu, my senior sister, and Brother Dafeng are all masters of flattery! Besides, who says they’re being insincere? All of their flattery comes straight from the heart!”

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t have any plans of working with the Spring Dew Garden,” Chen Ping’an said. “I didn’t even dare to consider such a thing. I was very content just to do some business here as a traveling salesman. If we can make it happen, then you should be taking the majority of the credit.”

Cui Dongshan raised a hand before tapping a finger down onto the surface of the table thrice, marking out three points in a triangular formation as he said, “Tang Xi, Lin Cuo’e, and Song Lanqiao form one trifecta. Tan Ling’s branch, Gao Song’s branch, and Tang Xi’s Nightglow Grass Hall form another trifecta. Downtrodden Mountain, the Flax Robe Sect, and the Spring Dew Garden are yet another trifecta of their own.

“All of the powers that you’ve united in the southern region of the Northern Complete Reed Continent and the northern region of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent form an even bigger trifecta. You were the one who orchestrated all of this, yet I should be the one to take the majority of the credit? That’s absurd, Teacher!”

Chen Ping’an shook his head with a smile as he said, “I was merely lucky.”

“Your poise and modesty are truly unmatched, Teacher,” Cui Dongshan said with a sigh.

“There you go again!” Chen Ping’an exclaimed in exasperation.

Cui Dongshan was just about to open his mouth to speak when Chen Ping’an cut him off with a stern glare.

“That’s enough flattery from you!”

Cui Dongshan felt like his extensive arsenal of weapons and tricks had been rendered completely useless.

Sure enough, the student still had much to learn from the teacher.

“Should we go pay a visit to Gao Cheng once we reach Skeleton Shoal?” Cui Dongshan suddenly asked. “You won’t have to worry about your safety as long as I’m with you.”

“I won’t go to Skeleton Wall City for now,” Chen Ping’an replied with a shake of his head.

“Is it because you developed some admiration for him after he split open the heavens to allow Pu Rang to release his flying swords in commemoration of the fallen sword immortal at the Sword Qi Great Wall?” Cui Dongshan asked.

“It’s more complicated than that. I’ll tell you my reasons some other time,” Chen Ping’an replied.

Cui Dongshan raised no objections.

As the immortal ship was passing over Imperial Accompanying City and Verdant Bamboo Lake, Chen Ping’an left the cabin, and Cui Dongshan stood with him by the railing of the ship, looking down at the landscape below.

From their vantage point high up in the sky, the vast Verdant Bamboo Lake resembled a green stone lying peacefully in the stream at the foot of the Luminous Jade Cliff.

“Please don’t take such risks in the future, Teacher,” Cui Dongshan urged in a quiet voice.

Chen Ping’an sighed. “I wish I could make that promise to you. I have genuinely been trying to keep myself out of trouble, telling myself that now that I’m a cultivator, I should distance myself from the affairs of the mortal world, but you and I both know that it’s easier said than done sometimes.”

Cui Dongshan was leaning over the railing, his sleeves spilling down the side of the ship like a pair of miniature white waterfalls.

“Is Zhou Mili doing well on Downtrodden Mountain?” Chen Ping’an asked.

“She’s doing great,” Cui Dongshan replied with a nod. “She thinks that Pei Qian is an intellectual just because she makes transcriptions every day, and she’s waiting for Pei Qian to write her a story, detailing her feats as the great water monster of Mute Lake. She’s constantly following Pei Qian around like a little lackey, carrying her hiking pole for her like it’s some badge of honor.

“Recently, she was promoted from the right-hand guardian of Dragon Riding Alley to the right-hand guardian of Downtrodden Mountain, and before she speaks to anyone, she always makes sure to clear her throat first before clasping her hands behind her back like she’s some seasoned old scholar, a habit that she undoubtedly picked up from Pei Qian.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Chen Ping’an said with a smile.

“Are you really planning to put her in the genealogical records of the Downtrodden Mountain ancestral hall?” Cui Dongshan asked.

“Of course,” Chen Ping’an replied. “This is no laughing matter. Before this, I was a little hesitant, but after witnessing all of the factions and the subtle undercurrents of the Spring Dew Garden, I made up my mind. My goal is to make our Downtrodden Mountain appear strange and inexplicable to outsiders. I’m aware of the costs of taking such an approach, but I can strive to make up for those losses elsewhere.

“I’m not opposed to the idea of our Downtrodden Mountain becoming a powerful sect further down the line, but I’m not going to discard the flowers and plants that I encounter along the way for that objective. Those flowers and plants have never been considered expendable on Downtrodden Mountain, and they won’t be expendable in the future, either.

“They’re not just pieces of scenery to be appreciated and forgotten. Instead, they are all a part of my life. It puts me particularly at ease to be able to look after those who deserve to be looked after. Does that make sense?”

“It makes perfect sense, and you have my full support, Teacher!” Cui Dongshan replied with a firm nod.

“But it’s definitely not going to be easy,” Chen Ping’an remarked with a sigh.

“It’s always been easy to make bold declarations, but putting one’s money where their mouth is has never been an easy endeavor,” Cui Dongshan said.

There were some things that he didn’t want to say.

The joy from all long-awaited reunions would eventually translate to the sorrow of separation.

That didn’t stop people from feeling the same joy from future reunions, but it was also important to remember that some separations were permanent, and there was no reunion at the end of the tunnel.

Chen Ping’an leaned over the railing as well, looking down at the sea of clouds that had been illuminated a golden color by the light of the sun as he asked, “Does it feel like a pain to be my disciple?”

“Not at all,” Cui Dongshan replied.

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Of course not. Never in history has there been a student so far superior to their master in both cultivation base and knowledge.”

“I have to disagree with that, Teacher,” Cui Dongshan said. “Are you saying it will be a pain for you if Pei Qian progresses rapidly in her cultivation base, making breakthroughs as quickly as Zhou Mili goes through bowls of rice in a meal?”

“Of course!” Chen Ping’an replied with a nod. “My authority as her master would be completely thrown out the window if her cultivation base outstripped mine! How can I reprimand her when I’m constantly worried that she could give me a beating anytime she pleased?”

Cui Dongshan erupted into laughter.

Clearly, this northbound journey had done wonders for his teacher’s mental state.

After a brief silence, Chen Ping’an said, “I’m a very inflexible person who’s prone to splitting hairs and driving myself into corners. Someday, an objectively trivial problem on Downtrodden Mountain will feel like a huge dilemma to me. When that time comes, I want you to give me some suggestions.”

“You can count on me, Teacher,” Cui Dongshan replied. “Don’t forget about how accomplished and respected I once was. My intellect was like a sharp spike in a cloth bag; I couldn’t keep it from showing even if I tried!

“I don’t mean to brag, but I could’ve easily claimed the position of mountain master of the Confucian school had that been my objective. If I wanted to be a bit more of a profiteer, then I could’ve become an assistant sect master of the Middle Earth Confucian Temple!”

“I would believe it if the imperial preceptor told me that, but it’s hardly convincing coming from you,” Chen Ping’an scoffed with a shake of his head. “Take care that you don’t sprain your tongue with all this bragging!”

Cui Dongshan chuckled. “A seasoned bragger like me doesn’t have to worry about such a thing.”

“The Middle Earth Divine Continent must be a massive place, right?” Chen Ping’an asked.

“It is,” Cui Dongshan confirmed with a nod. “Only the other eight continents combined can compare with the size of the Middle Earth Divine Continent, and it’s considered quite remarkable if even only one or two people from the other eight continents could squeeze their way into the top ten cultivators of the Middle Earth Divine Continent.

“We’re talking about people like Chen Chun’an of the Southern Whirl Continent, Spiritual Master Fire Dragon of Mount Longhu, and the so-called god of riches of the Pure White Continent.”

“I’ll be sure to go there sometime,” Chen Ping’an said.

“That’s a place with many painful memories for me,” Cui Dongshan complained.

“You asked for trouble, so you really can’t blame anyone when trouble turns up at your door,” Chen Ping’an said with a chuckle.

“I can’t believe you would say this, Teacher,” Cui Dongshan said with a sigh.

As the immortal ship flew into the territory of Skeleton Shoal, Song Lanqiao came to visit, bearing two sets of precious gifts, one from himself and one from the Tan Ling.

His gift was actually an immortal treasure that Lin Cuo’e had chosen from the ancestral hall. It was a dragon-patterned scripture box crafted from immortal wood, produced only by the Spring Dew Garden, and it contained four jade scriptures.

Tan Ling’s gift was even more precious. It was one of a handful of the most precious treasures of the Spring Dew Garden, namely a set of eight pieces of inksticks.

Song Lanqiao’s heart ached on Tan Ling’s behalf as he handed over the gift.

Chen Ping’an didn’t refuse the gifts. Tan Ling hadn’t presented the gifts to him herself back at the Talisman Water Ferry Station, instead choosing to instruct Song Lanqiao to present the gifts in her stead as the ship was about to reach Skeleton Shoal, and that was a gesture of sincerity in itself.

This was the first official assignment Song Lanqiao had been given since becoming a member of the Spring Dew Garden ancestral hall, and much to his relief, it had gone quite smoothly.

However, he still felt rather tense and apprehensive while having tea with Chen Ping’an and Cui Dongshan, with the latter’s presence making him feel particularly uneasy.

Cui Dongshan was gently tracing the rim of his teacup with his finger as he smiled and said, “You know, Lanqiao, there are plenty of people in the world who wish they could offer up certain gifts to certain people, yet never receive the opportunity. Compared with them, you are already very fortunate.”

It was a rather strange feeling to be treated with respect and referred to as Senior Song by Chen Ping’an, only to have the latter’s student refer to him as Lanqiao in a condescending fashion.

The Spring Dew Garden had displayed plenty of sincerity, so Chen Ping’an naturally wasn’t just going to sit by and watch as Cui Dongshan talked down to Song Lanqiao. Thus, he gave Cui Dongshan a dismissive wave, indicating that he had something to discuss with Song Lanqiao in private.

However, what happened next gave Song Lanqiao such a massive fright that he also sprang up out of his chair. All of a sudden, Cui Dongshan was sent flying along with his chair as if he had just been given a vicious slap to the face. He spun around countless times in mid-air before he slid down the wall, still seated on his chair, and there was a sullen look on his face as he said in a timid voice, “I’ll just be over here if you need me, Teacher.”

Chen Ping’an could only glower at Cui Dongshan in exasperation, while Song Lanqiqao was shocked beyond words.

Could it be that this young sword immortal was not some earth immortal, but actually an Unpolished Jade Tier sword immortal, just like Liu Jinglong?

Chen Ping’an turned his gaze away from Cui Dongshan as he got down to business with Song Lanqiao, discussing a collaboration between Downtrodden Mountain and the Spring Dew Garden. Song Lanqiao definitely didn’t possess the jurisdictive power required to call the shots on such an important matter, so they were only going to discuss a rough direction here.

Once he returned to the ancestral hall, it was most likely going to take many rounds of bickering to decide on the best course of action, and if the two sides did agree to a collaboration, then Zhu Lian, Wei Bo, and the others back on Downtrodden Mountain would have to be the ones to decide on the specific terms and details.

Chen Ping’an was relatively familiar with the Spring Dew Garden’s business, so his conversation with Song Lanqiao went quite smoothly.

All this time that he had spent posing as a traveling salesman on the Northern Complete Reed Continent certainly hadn’t gone to waste. Of course, the biggest asset of Downtrodden Mountain was the Ox Horn Mountain ferry station. With Wei Bo stationed on Cloud Drape Mountain, the Ox Horn Mountain ferry station was able to receive the vast majority of intercontinental ships coming from the Northern Complete Reed Continent.

Essentially, the ferry station served as an all-important central hub, where all of the wealth from the Northern Complete Reed Continent funneling into the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent gathered momentarily before going elsewhere.