Chapter 1186: Gatekeeper

Xie Gou returned to the Grand Li capital from Gray Mountain.First, she went to the Flower God Temple to play with the Balsam Flower God,Good sisters agreed to travel together to Juzhou,Because Wu Cai decided she would build her Flower God Temple in that prefecture.The reason being that it was rather poor,Her shrine and statue could be rough, and the local people would not laugh at this Flower God Mother who was short on funds...Though she said this, Wu Cai had already read through that large stack of county annals several times,She even used the colorful punctuation popular among Grand Li literati of the time,Which Xie Gou felt she could learn.

Xie Gou cheerfully walked through the Thousand Pace Corridor,Wearing that special waist token, swaggering back to the National Preceptor's Manor.Many people on the road cast sidelong glances,Not knowing if it was due to "Sword Cultivator Bai Jing"Or the mink hat and flushed cheeks.In the height of summer, to wear a mink hat, it was indeed eccentric.

She first checked in with Alliance Master Guo,Then came here to see the Mountain Master lying in a wicker chair, lost in thought.While inquiring about his well-being, Xie Gou probed indirectly,Was it in accordance with the rules for our Falling Dust Mountain to add a Deputy Mountain Master?Would it inconvenience the Mountain Master?Did she, the chief, need to smooth things over before holding another Ancestral Hall deliberation?

Chen Ping'an couldn't be bothered with that topic, merely asking,"How is Little Mo?"

Xie Gou grinned and said, "Not very good. I thoroughly scolded Little Mo."

Chen Ping'an teased, "Speaking the harshest words in the most timid tone?"

Xie Gou was greatly impressed, then asked doubtfully,"Has the Mountain Master been peeking into the Snail Shell Dojo?"

Chen Ping'an chuckled, changing the subject,"Has that fellow Daoist Qingqiu arrived in the Fox Kingdom, feeling sentimental and alternating between crying and laughing?"

Xie Gou shook her head, "I don't know. When I got to the mountain, I dumped her on Old Mr. Zhu and didn't bother with her anymore. Haha, I only killed, I didn't bury."

Chen Ping'an said, "Isn't that like a sheep entering a tiger's den?"

Xie Gou said, "Her Dao power is not weak, and she has an impatient personality, so at the courtyard, she saw through Old Mr. Zhu's true appearance at first glance, and was stunned."

Chen Ping'an said, "She walked right into the trap."

Pei Qian came over, asking doubtfully,"Master, wasn't that the Old Cook's true appearance when he walked out of the painting scroll back then?"

Xie Gou fell silent. After all, it involved Old Mr. Zhu's privacy, and she couldn't reveal it casually.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said,"You've always taken pleasure in calling the Old Cook 'Noble Young Master Zhu Lian.' Who always held their belly laughing, laughing the most exaggeratedly?"

Pei Qian blushed, saying, "It was funny."Besides, Master, you yourself didn't laugh any less back then.

Indeed, back then Little Black Charcoal, Little Millet, and Green-Clad Boy laughed openly,While Chen Ping'an secretly enjoyed himself.

They chatted about the "hundredfold repayment" of the bag of Gu Yu coins.Having lent out sixty-five Gu Yu coins, Xie Gou effortlessly earned nearly six hundred.

Chen Ping'an clicked his tongue and said, "That's what you call preying on acquaintances."

Xie Gou pursed her lips and said, "It's only because I followed the Mountain Master and learned well. If I had remained in the Savage Desolation and learned of her appearance beforehand, I would have made arrangements early, invited one or two fellow Daoists, set an ambush and assaulted her. After succeeding, I would have double-crossed them. Heh, that's what you call genuine preying on acquaintances."

Chen Ping'an was momentarily speechless.

Xie Gou suggested, "Mountain Master, Qingqiu is still very strong, worth winning over. She has a large number of followers at her beck and call, and they are all quite capable fighters. She is equivalent to a top-tier sect."

Earlier outside the city, Qingqiu had thrown out two puppets to receive Bai Jing.It was only because they were struck down by Little Mo's sword light that they appeared as fragile as paper.

"Without Qingqiu, the Fox Kingdom is just a Fox Kingdom in the Lotus Root blessed land. With Qingqiu, it is the Fox Kingdom of the entire human world."

"As long as Qingqiu spreads the word, no matter which world the fox descendants are from, they will regard Falling Dust Mountain as a place of pilgrimage that they must visit in this life."

Moreover, in so many celestial legends and strange tales,Which scholar is not interested in enchanting fox spirits?

Chen Ping'an said, "Whether to stay or leave, she makes her own choice. I can even allow her to move the Fox Kingdom out of the blessed land, leaving Falling Dust Mountain with Pei Xiang and the others, choosing a location within Grand Li territory, with the status of a Grand Li vassal state, allowing her to raise the banner of 'Qingqiu' again, gathering fox tribes from across the world. I will help mediate with the Middle Earth Confucian Temple."

Xie Gou asked, "What are the conditions?"

Chen Ping'an said, "The prerequisite is that she must secretly make a trip to Zheng Yang Mountain, find that Tian Wan, and see whose method is superior in matchmaking – the latter's red thread technique, or Qingqiu's inherent divine ability."

Xie Gou asked doubtfully, "Is that all the cost? What's the difference between that and letting a flirtatious hussy travel around and visit brothels under official decree?"

According to Xie Gou's business style, if you give Qingqiu a Fox Kingdom, then those puppets of Qingqiu should be handed over, at most allowing her to keep two or three, and the rest, all as 'Dao soldiers' guarding Falling Dust Mountain.

Chen Ping'an was stumped by Xie Gou's remark about "visiting brothels under official decree," and rubbed his eyebrows, saying,"Before going down the mountain, tell her not to be careless. Tian Wan is Zou Zi's junior sister. This woman is a useless fighter on the mountain, but she is a good hand at manipulating red threads and toying with people's hearts from behind the scenes."

Xie Gou said, "Don't worry. Once Qingqiu truly calms down and becomes familiar with the customs and general rules of the current Hao Ran, she will be like a completely different person, with a meticulous mind and experienced actions."

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "You think so highly of Qingqiu?"

Xie Gou's expression was serious, saying, "The former Lord of Qingqiu is more troublesome than the White Bone Daoist."

Chen Ping'an nodded and said, "You can go back to Fuyao Slope now, rest and recuperate well, you don't need to worry about me."

Xie Gou grinned and said, "What's the hurry? Protecting Daoist Ding, there's definitely no problem. As for my own cultivation, heh."

Chen Ping'an hesitated, then lay back in the wicker chair, holding the dry pipe.

Xie Gou asked, "Does the Mountain Master feel tired taking care of others?"

Chen Ping'an was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Of course."

Xie Gou asked again, "Do you regret it?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head, "Of course not."Any occasional regrets were only because he had not done well enough, and the outcome was not as flawless as expected. Just like some dead-end alleys in the capital, the innermost house is named "Regret."

"Don't always feel that Sword Cultivator Bai Jing is acting against her Dao heart and forcing herself to be 'Xie Gou', so the Xie Gou in this era's eyes is fake."

Xie Gou rubbed her mink hat and smiled, "Have you ever thought that perhaps I was originally this kind of person? It was just that in the hurried era back then, Bai Jing couldn't be anyone other than a pure sword cultivator."

Chen Ping'an was silent for a long time, and asked in surprise, "Gouzi, did Old Cook teach you that wording?"

Xie Gou sighed like someone else and complained, "How can someone who writes books not have some true talent and learning?"

In that room of the ancient wizard, besides the faint sound of turning pages, there were occasional sounds of cheers and table pounding.

Xie Gou was greatly surprised, as she had expected Shen Yi to read the books until his eyes were about to pop out, and be so angry that smoke would come out of his seven orifices.

Calling for Zhu Su, Chen Ping'an carefully explained some precautions for the trip to North Reed Continent, including which immortal mansions and dojos were close to Falling Dust Mountain, and which ones were "mutually minded."

Attending the National Preceptor's ceremony, being called by the masses, Zhu Su, who possessed the nascent flying sword "San Lai", found the opportunity to break through. As a result, she withdrew twice during three closed-door cultivations. In the final closed-door cultivation in the thatched hut by the Yellow Lake Mountain water, Ning Yao helped protect her Dao. She succeeded.

Having entered the Immortal realm and coming here to watch the battle, seeing the White Bone Daoist's divine abilities, she became anxious. Fortunately, Xie Gou discovered the anomaly and helped her remove the hidden danger with a short sword, allowing Zhu Su to still retain that water inscription, which could be considered a blessing in disguise.

Remaining in the National Preceptor's Manor, the Master of the Blue Sky Cave bestowed upon her a Daoist book, which was the manuscript of "Cloud Deep Daoist," Master Yan, the foremost in the art of talismans in Hao Ran.

Chen Ping'an said indifferently, "Don't you understand yet?"

In fact, Zhu Su had also figured it out, her face gloomy as she said, "It is a tribulation."

Chen Ping'an said, "Since it is a tribulation, avoiding it is not the mark of a skilled practitioner. Next time I go to the Savage Desolation, you will go with me to Master Yan's dojo, no excuses. In short, don't let the 'minor three tribulations' evolve into the 'major three tribulations'. The minor three tribulations, others can help and give pointers. When the major three tribulations come, it is without warning, unnoticed. How is that different from a mortal walking on the road on a rainy day, knowing to use an umbrella, but still being struck by lightning."

Zhu Su's mood was heavy, saying, "Don't worry, Secret Monitor. When I get to the Savage Desolation, I will not back down. No matter what difficulties I encounter, I will face the tribulation head-on."

Chen Ping'an shook his head and said to himself, "Among the sixty-four hexagrams, which is a bad one? Immortal Zhu Su, your sword heart is biased."

Zhu Su's eyes lit up, and she suddenly understood. She should view the tribulation as an opportunity for the Grand Dao that sharpens the sword heart. Why fear hardship, why be troubled?

This is the reason why cultivation on the mountain requires the guidance of an enlightened master. A false transmission of ten thousand volumes of books, a true transmission in a single sentence.

Zhu Su took her leave.

Chen Ping'an had just been staring at her blankly.Just like looking at those "Sword Immortals" on the city wall back then.

Chen Ping'an lay back on the wicker chair and casually asked Xie Gou,"In the ancient years, did Qingqiu have a passionate romance?"

Xie Gou sat on the railing, swinging her feet, thought for a moment, and shook her head,"Doesn't seem like it. Ancient Daoists like Qingqiu, who are good at manipulating the tides of others' desires, seem to be rather reticent about their 'true feelings'."

Chen Ping'an said, "Then she will also have her own tribulations, mostly related to love. Birth, old age, sickness, death, meeting with what one hates, parting from what one loves, not getting what one desires."

The nameless owner of that great戟, the ancient wizard who had become a ghost, the Three Courtyard 法主 who only had a skin and a little true spirit left, finally met the former Lord of Qingqiu of the Fox Kingdom... Towering trees, low-lying flowers and grasses, all will endure wind and rain, clinging firmly to the green mountains.

Xie Gou scratched her mink hat, "Then didn't I坑 Old Mr. Zhu?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Zhu Lian can handle it properly."

Song Yunjian asked, "It seems the National Preceptor is very concerned about the East Sea?"

Chen Ping'an nodded and said, "We cannot say that Chen Qingliu and Wang Zhu can completely determine the fate of the world's aquatic races, but we must admit that their relationship greatly influences the direction of a large portion of the human world's territory. Mountains and rivers, involving billions of aquatic races, how can it be a small matter?"

Chen Ping'an remembered something and told Song Yunjian to inform Rong Yu to register the cultivators from the Flying Immortal Temple branch at the bottom of the East Sea, such as the Reckless Daoist and Lu Qingqiu. Furthermore, they might come ashore in the future and choose a location on land to build a "lower courtyard." Chen Ping'an promised them that they could seek out the National Preceptor of the Grand Li dynasty at that time.

Chen Ping'an sat up, took out that咫尺物 from his sleeve, and smiled,"You all come together and help appraise these treasures."

Originally, he thought he would have to act as a "house thief" who stole from his own home, but unexpectedly, he met a wealthy and generous local tyrant like the White Bone Daoist.

A corridor in the National Preceptor's Manor immediately became lively.

Chen Ping'an was like someone who had self-conferred the title of Lord of a new martial path.Two hundred newly bloomed peach blossoms symbolized the years of the Grand Li dynasty's existence.Having sparred with Cao Ci on the sea, each gained martial path benefits, and they would walk different paths in a more magnificent new world.

The ancient divine platform, refined into a pair of pure white chapter seals by Xie Gou, and thirty-six pieces of ancient sacrificial ritual vessels.The White Bone Daoist, whose Daoist title was Three Courtyard 法主, left behind a large "Fourteenth Realm legacy," consisting of three hundred and twenty-nine treasures, whose rank needed to be verified.

The National Preceptor's Manor gained a fallen ghost "Shen Yi," whose realm had fallen to Jade Pure and the first layer of Profound and Full Qi respectively.

By Yuan Huajing's side in the Grand Li earthly branches lineage, there was an Ascended realm attendant who was mutually protecting his Dao.

Writing the plaque for the Daoist temple. This was equivalent to opening a convenient door to the Azure Void Heaven in the future. More profound meanings that are not immediately apparent still require good rest and patience to wait and see.

East Sea Water Mansion.Jin Li rushed back to this newly built underwater Dragon Palace, no slower than the Reckless Daoist and the others, arriving just in time to enter the palace and meet the Water Monarch.

Wang Zhu stood in a corridor with her sleeves tucked in, looking at the hanging fish on the distant palace. She casually asked, "Did you win or lose?"

Jin Li smiled sweetly and said, "It's hard to say. The Secret Monitor was pierced through the abdomen with a long spear by Cao Ci, which looked even more terrifying. Cao Ci was also not lightly injured, at least he waited until the swelling on his face subsided before leaving the East Sea."

The Reckless Daoist, dressed in white armor and a colorful robe, his hand on his long sword, found it strange. The winner didn't win, and the loser didn't lose?

Most of the elite guards of the Dragon Palace under his command who had gone on patrol and had their swords borrowed without return were overjoyed. Those who had gone on patrol with swords and spears were somewhat depressed, as they had one less topic for bragging at the wine table. There were also a few foolish ones who foolishly asked the incredibly skilled National Preceptor Chen if he would return the long swords, or if they could be exchanged for money at a discount... They were immediately slapped by the Reckless Daoist, sending them spinning in place, and then he ordered them to go to the Treasury Department to record the loss and choose new high-quality swords. This expense would be paid by his Flying Immortal Temple.

Jin Li deliberately brought along Jade Kingdom, who had a fair face like a handsome young man, and Lu Qingqiu, who wore a jade robe and carried a treasure sword, to become familiar with the Water Monarch.

On this trip, their master and disciple pair had worked hard even if they hadn't achieved merit.

Wang Zhu was in a languid mood, and said indifferently, "Luo Xiu, the middle section of the Grand Tributary in Tongye Continent is about to merge. You will lead a detachment of patrol troops there to keep an eye on it, selecting a garrison location along the coast, choosing your own personnel, and estimating your own troop strength. As for the additional official titles, you will go to the Ministry of Rites to request them yourself."

"And also relay a message to Qiu Du of the Green Ping Sword Sect, telling him that the spot has been given by the East Sea Water Mansion."

"When you usually patrol by riding the waves, don't be arrogant and provoke cultivators on the shore. When you encounter some troublemakers, endure it for now. Just silently note down their Daoist titles and sects. There will be plenty of time in the future, and when the Grand Tributary merges, you will have plenty of opportunities to get your revenge."

The Reckless Daoist cupped his fists and said loudly, "This humble general receives the decree!"

Wang Zhu smiled playfully and said, "Do you need me to have Master Jin repeat it before you are willing to carry out the decree?"

Jin Li covered her mouth and smiled.

The Reckless Daoist's expression was awkward, and he said in a muffled voice, "The Water Monarch's words are heartbreaking. This humble general's loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon..."

Jin Li lightly coughed, signaling that he had gone too far.

Wang Zhu was distracted, standing with her sleeves tucked in, looking at the circular arrangement of the Dragon Palace buildings, stacked like fish scales, built on a circular mountain range. The Water Mansion was like a coiled dragon, like a jade bracelet inscribed with a palindrome poem.

She suddenly asked, "Jin Li, Reckless Daoist, I ask you, in the ancient poem 'I have drifted for a long time, for ten years, I have failed my deep gratitude, life and death master and friend', if 'ten years' were changed to 'a thousand years', would it be better or worse?"

The Reckless Daoist felt a headache. He was only diligently studying military tactics, but he was unfamiliar with poetry and prose, and might not be able to get to the point.

Jin Li smiled and said, "Human poetry stained with the rhyme of green prayers has more of an immortal aura, and less of a human touch. There are advantages and disadvantages to both."

Wang Zhu shook her head, "Since it says 'for a thousand years', it refers to someone who is already considered to have attained longevity in the eyes of the world. What is there left to be dissatisfied with? The so-called endless sorrow, pain, and bitter hatred are seemingly long but actually short, and lose all meaning."

Jin Li praised, "Your Royal Highness has excellent insights."

The Reckless Daoist carefully pondered these words and also felt they made sense.

Wang Zhu turned her head to look at the two perfectly matched people, like a pair of golden boy and jade girl on a mural, and asked, "What are your names?"

Jade Kingdom bowed his head and cupped his hands, saying, "Reporting to the Water Monarch, I am a second-generation disciple of the Flying Immortal Temple. My Daoist title and name are both Jade Kingdom. My realm is still shallow, only Nascent Soul realm. The person beside me, Lu Qingqiu, is my direct disciple. She just formed her Golden Core a few years ago and is a sword cultivator. She doesn't understand the rules and is always outspoken and boastful."

He spoke first to prevent his disciple from being rude to the Water Monarch.

Wang Zhu nodded and said, "Your sect has a good reputation. No wonder the Reckless Daoist was able to become the master of the Flying Immortal Temple."

However, the Reckless Daoist and the others had miscalculated. The Daoist temple was not the place where ancient true immortals refined elixirs.

It was the ascending place of an ancient Golden Immortal, a true reclusive ascetic. She remembered that the Dragon Palace secret archives had a separate record detailing that secret. A patch of green clouds, carrying a golden palace with jade halls, drifted on the sea... Wang Zhu had regained her memories and had personally seen that painting scroll in her previous life. Later, that Golden Immortal failed to merge with the Dao, and the dojo was destroyed in the heavenly tribulation. In fact, the entire Flying Immortal Temple was the Golden Immortal's remains, or rather, it was transformed by his Dao heart's obsession, and the Daoist was thus dissolved in water.

Madam Dan Dan of the Lush Water Pit, who was dominant in the East Sea waters in the past, did not make trouble for her neighbor, the Reckless Daoist, of course, because she knew clearly that even if she obtained this Flying Immortal Temple, it would be a hot potato for her. Not only could she not refine it into her own, but it might also incur the hatred of a "Flying Immortal Temple."

Wang Zhu ordered the Reckless Daoist and the others to leave, leaving only Jin Li to accompany her for a walk. She seemed to be speaking from the heart, and said softly, "Jin Li, the officialdom is like a battlefield. It's not enough to have a few trusted aides and a pile of heavenly materials and earthly treasures to manage a water mansion well. There are methods for turbulent times, and stratagems for times of peace."

"Killing enemies on the battlefield is straightforward. Whoever has money, food, and armor, and the military commander understands military strategy, dares to lead the charge, and is not afraid of death, has a greater chance of winning. But in the treacherous officialdom, everyone has prejudices, each has their own selfish desires. Among the civil and military officials under your command, some are greedy for money, some are greedy for power, and some are greedy for fame. Some manage themselves well but cannot manage those around them or their family descendants. Some think they are selfless but mislead the country and the people. Some have a bad reputation but are pragmatic and capable. You say he has ambitions, he says he has aspirations... In this officialdom, the constant killing is all about human nature."

"How many simple people like the Reckless Daoist are there throughout the East Sea?"

Hearing this, Jin Li was both relieved and sad, and said softly, "Your Royal Highness, you have grown up."

Wang Zhu scoffed, "I still have some knowledge and insights from discussing matters on paper."

Jin Li raised her hand towards Wang Zhu, smiling mischievously, "Here too."

Wang Zhu was annoyed, slapped Jin Li's hand away, and scoffed, "Hurry up and find a Dao partner."

After retracting her hand, Jin Li covered her mouth, her eyes like silk, deliberately teasing, "Your Royal Highness should also find a prince consort."

Wang Zhu said indifferently, "In the dust of the world."

After a world passed, just like the dispersion of the three patriarchs' Dao previously, countless opportunities emerged in the human world again, like bamboo shoots after rain.

Now, there are rare treasures appearing.When that nameless Daoist threw the great halberd into the seabed, the commotion was quite large and attracted attention. The great halberd drew a dazzling arc between the Bottle Gourd Continent and the East Sea, which lingered for a long time. In an instant, it stirred the Dao hearts of many peak figures on the mountain, who emerged from their private dojos one by one, observing the abnormal phenomena between the sea and land. They each used their ancestral and family secret techniques to deduce, and quickly confirmed without a doubt that it was a divine item of immortal weapon rank?!

There were Grand Cultivators who personally went down the mountain, concealing their aura and tracks, employing various techniques, rushing with lightning speed to the location where the arc fell into the sea.

There were also eccentric people skilled in the art of destiny, who did not personally go down to retrieve the treasure. Some relied on the principles of Yin-Yang creation and the mutual generation and suppression of the five elements, others relied on prophecies, sending their direct disciples who were attuned to the treasure to try their luck at sea. The more spiritual a divine item was, the more it could not be taken by brute force. This was the profound and mysterious opportunity of the Grand Dao.

Within a short incense stick's time, over a hundred cultivators from several continents had gone to the East Sea to search for the immortal weapon's whereabouts.Just in the Bottle Gourd Continent alone, over thirty cultivators set off for the East Sea to seek the treasure.From Zheng Yang Mountain alone, three high-ranking sword immortals were dispatched, their momentum like a rainbow, seemingly determined to obtain it.Besides Yu Lin of Rainfoot Peak, there was also an old Golden Core who had been at a bottleneck for many years, and aIn fact, Su Jia from Cornus Peak also went, but she was secretly instructed by Tian Wan to conceal her whereabouts and quietly rush to the East Sea.

As for Thunder Wind Garden, Liu Baqiao, who was pushed by his Martial Uncle-Grandfathers, was in charge of leading a team of young sword cultivators to try their luck there, treating it as a mountain descent experience.If Liu Baqiao, that lazy fellow, could even guide one or two sword cultivator seedlings up the mountain, it would be a great and unexpected surprise, burning high incense.

Within the territory of the former White Frost Dynasty, a small sect with only two registered cultivators at present, the Sect Master and the Discipline Master, went out together.

Some cultivators who were originally from immortal islands in the East Sea were the first to see the extremely long "light" that started above the Bottle Gourd Continent and trailed between the sea and the sky. They quickly soared up on the wind, approaching the immortal trace. They did not dare to be presumptuous, mostly carefully probing first, throwing one or two Daoist techniques, which passed through unobstructed. After much hesitation, they touched the light with their personal weapons, and there was no abnormality either. However, when they used their nascent objects or reached out to touch the line, they immediately felt pain, their souls trembling violently. Either their nascent objects were severely worn, or their bodies fell into the sea.

There was also a lucky one who chose a section of this immortal "post road" and saw that where the light line connected with the invisible river of time, like dripping glaze, spheres of colorful glass beads condensed and fell into the sea. He quickly sacrificed a white jade plate, a nascent object, to carry those colorful beads. Large and small beads fell onto the jade plate, making a tinkling sound, and rays of precious light shot into the azure sky.

Having obtained this opportunity, it was big enough. A dream he didn't dare to imagine, he reviewed the path he had taken in this life, drifting from place to place. The cultivator was overwhelmed with both joy and sorrow, his eyes red and weeping profusely. For a moment, he was choked with sobs, then suddenly he tore open his throat and cried out with a nasal voice, "Thank the creation of heaven and earth, thank my parents for giving birth to me, thank my master for leading the way, thank the blessings and protection of my ancestors!"

In the distance, the Grand Heavenly Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain from another surname, the old true immortal Liang Shuang, was traveling across the sea with the Tree of Heaven Daoist from Crooked Seal Palace in Golden Scale Continent, and a young Daoist boy carrying a huqin. The old true immortal sighed with emotion at this scene.

The Tree of Heaven Daoist smiled and said, "That great halberd that sank into the seabed is temporarily ownerless and very easy to find. We just need to follow this light line and follow the vine to find the melon. We happen to be passing by and have nothing to do. Moreover, this can be considered an opportunity before our eyes. Why not take the opportunity to take a look?"

Liang Shuang waved his hand, "If fellow Daoist wants to go, go. You will know if you have the affinity after trying. This poor Daoist will not join in the fun."

The Tree of Heaven Daoist said, "Then let's continue on our journey."

Li Shuang stroked his beard and smiled, "This poor Daoist will stay here and see the style and methods of that East Sea Water Mansion, and also observe the depth of the Dao hearts of this new batch of ascenders."

The Tree of Heaven Daoist said casually, "Alright."

In the night, Rong Yu had just received a list of people of different identities and origins, the only common point being that they were all related to Palace Master Lu of White Jade Capital.She came to the corridor and reviewed and annotated nearly a hundred official documents in one go. The National Preceptor came here to lie in the wicker chair, taking a moment of leisure amidst his busy schedule.

Chen Ping'an rubbed his eyebrows and said, "Others are still fine, but it's more difficult to speak with Shi Jiachun."Shi Chunjia cherished a miniature and lovely golden abacus, which she had grabbed when she was young. This item was actually secretly given to her by Lu Chen, who was setting up a fortune-telling stall in the small town back then.In the region of Acacia Mountain, Lu Chen had taught Bai Mao of Clear White Manor in Wedge Ridge an immortal method. Lu Chen "sold" a volume of flower and bird paintings at a "high price," receiving a snowflake coin from a ghost. This Lord Bai is still in her dojo, greatly missing the young Daoist who had cheated her out of some money, and wondering if he is safe and sound.Besides the old turtle carrying a stele at the Hundred Flowers Lake shrine, who "requested to transform into a human body" from Palace Master Lu of White Jade Capital.There was also that female martial artist, Lu Mo, who was beaten "to near death" by Lu Chen with a flick of his sleeve in a humble alley.And on Mount Pu, the mountain of the Crown Prince of Middle Peak, the mountain spirit Fu Dechong seemed to have also been given a Daoist book by Lu Chen.Chen Ping'an might still need to make a trip to the Divine Edict Sect, to a small Daoist temple with dwindling incense.

Rong Yu also felt it was tricky and had no readily available good solution. If the National Preceptor's Manor were to actually request it, she believed that neither Shi Chunjia, who was from the same hometown as the National Preceptor, nor her husband Bian Wenmao, or even the entire family, would hesitate at all. Bian Wenmao was recently sent out from the capital to serve as the Educational Commissioner of Chuzhou. Although he was not promoted, the newly established Educational Commissioner of a prefecture by the court was of a low rank, not related to frontier officials, but it was a position of high status and leisure, and frontier officials could not interfere with him. In short, upon completion of their term and return to the capital, Bian Wenmao and the other Educational Commissioners would likely be quickly promoted.

Chen Ping'an clasped his hands over his abdomen and said with a smile, "Let's worry about tomorrow's troubles tomorrow. I'll just visit tomorrow and get a good scolding."

A young woman with her hair styled in a bun led a few teenagers and an old man on a shortcut, not taking the brightly lit Thousand Pace Corridor, but绕道 to the National Preceptor's Manor. She had just bailed them out of the Ministry of Punishment's prison and did not reveal her identity, simply telling them to follow her.Keeping a distance of five or six paces from that silent and strange woman, a tall teenager whispered to his companions, "Don't worry, it doesn't look like we're going to the execution ground to be beheaded. As for using private torture on a few of us, it's not worth it."

On both sides of this road were thick pine and cypress trees. In the evening, it was cool and not stuffy, but it looked a little eerie.He found an excuse for himself, "The time isn't right either. Beheadings usually happen at noon when the sun is high. After being beheaded, even those who died unjustly won't turn into vengeful ghosts. Doesn't the opera always say that beheadings are done after autumn?"

A refined-looking teenager frowned and said, "She likes to pretend to be deaf and mute. I can't get anything out of her. If I only knew her identity, we wouldn't have to guess blindly."She had a jade token tied around her waist, but she deliberately kept the side with the writing from being seen.When they left the Ministry of Punishment's prison earlier, the refined-looking teenager gave a look to his companions. Without needing any words of explanation, he deliberately tripped, trying to use the opportunity to flip over the jade token, but the woman, who seemed to have eyes in the back of her head, easily dodged him.They simply couldn't figure out how a thin and weak pretty woman could so easily take them out of the Ministry of Punishment's prison. There was no obstruction along the way, not even a single question, as if the Grand Li Ministry of Punishment belonged to her family. How was that possible? They had been to the capital before, swaggering through the streets and carefully learning about the officialdom of Grand Li. Only the Ministry of Personnel was surnamed Guan, and in all other yamen, no one person could call the shots. It was no wonder the short teenager had just guessed that perhaps her family had been executioners for generations and were going to use their cheap heads to test their blades. There weren't many rules in the executioner's trade, but it was strange. He estimated that they had secretly received money, and after sharpening their blades, they would confirm the sharpness before going to chop off valuable heads to avoid mistakes, such as cutting off only half a head with one stroke. Wouldn't the relatives of those noble families cry themselves to death?

The more the teenager thought about it, the more scared he became. He always felt that the trees were full of hanged ghosts with their tongues sticking out, and if he looked up, they would smile at him. So he moved closer to the refined-looking teenager.

The old man, with his hands in his sleeves, his head drooping, and his neck缩, looked around at the surroundings, and said with a chuckle,"You haven't read many books, so you don't know about the stories of beautiful women in unofficial histories. It says that those fox spirits who brought disaster to the country and the people, a tael of their flesh is more precious than a tael of gold. As for concubines and the like, not satisfied with being promiscuous in the palace, they like to catch handsome young men with fair skin and tender flesh, and even strong traveling merchants are not spared. They are not picky, they let the female instructors or maids go out to find people. When they find them, they cover their eyes with cloth and lead them to a secret room, where they will see a seductive woman with skin like sheep fat jade. After a night of passionate pleasure, I just don't know if you will have such good fortune tonight."

The old man knew that these sayings were mostly fabricated by impoverished literati who were frustrated in their careers, or scholars who harbored resentment towards the previous dynasty. However, the old man also felt that the trip tonight would be more inauspicious than auspicious, so he didn't say anything that would frighten the children. They were not like him, half-dead people, it didn't matter whether tomorrow was bright and sunny or rainy.

The refined-looking teenager smiled and said, "Master Hong, what are you thinking? This is the capital of Grand Li. If we were in our hometown, we would believe your ghost stories."

He thought for a moment, raised his arm and sniffed, and continued, "Besides, if there were such a good thing, wouldn't we be forced to take a bath? Who could stand this smell on us?"

The old man said he was a fish keeper for a certain prince's manor, meaning he was specifically responsible for raising fish for the prince's family. He used to earn a lot, but later he said that the prince went to work as a coolie and porter, and the thirty-odd fish and bird keepers in the manor also fell into misfortune. He was kind, and every few days he would give them a few coins of silver as aid.He said so, but they didn't believe him.Master Hong said that the most valuable goldfish in the world all have serious illnesses.

Only the most intelligent refined-looking teenager could hear the hidden meaning, which was to scold those officials in power, but it was a matter of the previous dynasty after all.

In fact, after the dynasty change, they could survive, there were still many ways to live, but these good friends who grew up together were unwilling to live their lives in a muddle, eating and waiting to die. They had high aspirations, and after discussing, they decided to pull off a big heist. In their hometown, they often hung out at the post station, seeing many officials, and many envoys coming to the capital to see the Emperor. They carefully planned for two full years, and then pulled in Master Hong, who was good at impersonating a high official, to join them. After all, without this old man who bragged all day long, this play couldn't be performed.

What big thing were they going to do? They were going to the Grand Li capital to cheat the old Emperor out of his money!They had already planned how to spend the large sum of gold and silver they would get. They each had their own ambitions. Some wanted to find a martial arts school to become a disciple and eventually open their own security agency. Some wanted to buy a large house, marry a beautiful wife, and take in five or six concubines. As for Master Hong, he didn't say what he wanted to do, probably because of his physical condition, even if he wanted to do something, he was powerless. The old man only agreed with the teenagers that the money they got, besides giving a portion to the makeshift opera troupe, the rest of the large sum must be divided equally among the four of them, and they absolutely must not abandon their comrades after crossing the river, breaking their promises.

They said it and did it. They forged seals and impersonated an envoy delegation, rushing into the capital ahead of schedule. They arrived at the inn below the Honglu Temple yamen in the capital and swaggered around, eating and drinking sumptuously every day. Master Hong was responsible for putting on a show there every day. The officials of the Grand Li capital's Honglu Temple were so experienced and sharp-eyed, they had seen all kinds of envoy delegations, yet they still didn't see through their true identities. On the other hand, their ability to get away with it also had to do with the fact that the Honglu Temple had seen too many tributary missions with strange personalities and erratic speech in the past thirty years. Which yamen often had to beg the Northern Yamen and the county yamen for help in catching people?

Moreover, Master Hong was indeed formidable. His superb acting skills were even better than those who had been acting for a lifetime. He portrayed the greedy, lustful, yet cowardly appearance vividly. It was also possible that it wasn't acting. A poor, uncultured person from a small place, who hadn't seen the world yet had to put on airs, wasn't it just like that?

The woman turned her head and smiled, "No matter how bold and cautious you are, you are doing a business that could get you beheaded. Why don't you quit while you're ahead? Why do you have to wait for definite news from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court? Even if you don't get to see His Majesty the Emperor, the Honglu Temple would still act according to precedent, sending you away with a few hundred taels of silver and some goods. If you had left the capital two days earlier, you could have at least escaped the capital area."

The refined-looking teenager smiled and said, "Replying to sister, we were because we hadn't seen the big money yet, how could we bear to slip away?"

The truth was, they hadn't thought of quitting while they were ahead either, but the opera troupe had suddenly disappeared, so they wanted to wait for them to return to the inn and leave the capital together. Otherwise, if they left first, they would definitely be exposed, which would really cost them their lives.Even though a few of them hadn't read many books, they still had to abide by this much chivalry.

As a result of this wait, the officials of the Grand Li Honglu Temple received news of the true envoy delegation.

The woman smiled and said, "You are imposters. Do you know about that makeshift opera troupe of five people who performed everywhere? They pretended to be emperors, generals, princes, and beautiful women all day long, but it was their real life? They came to the capital this time planning to assassinate... a prominent figure in the capital at the risk of their lives. They harbored hatred for a fallen country and were bent on revenge. When they left the inn, they didn't talk about any chivalry with you."

The old man was stunned, stamped his foot, and was filled with hatred and regret, "I knew they didn't look like they were acting! We should have run away earlier."

The tall teenager's face turned pale, and he murmured, "It's my fault for being possessed by a ghost and wanting to wait for her return. I have dragged you down."

Knowing the truth, the short teenager was no longer afraid. He rubbed his cheeks and chuckled, "Now we're really going to die."

They had thought it was just a job to cheat money. How could they have imagined it was an assassination of a prominent figure in the Grand Li capital?

Doesn't the opera always say, "Eighteen years later, I'll be a good man again"?The problem was, they only lived to be fifteen or sixteen years old in this life. It seemed like they were losing a little.

The woman was also very strange. She actually told them about the flaws in their tributary mission and some inappropriate details, explaining how it should have been done. The teenagers looked at each other in dismay. Could it be that she was one of them? No, she was clearly a senior, a master!If they had been able to get her to join them earlier?The old man felt some regret. He was just a little short of being able to see that old Emperor of Grand Li!Then his life would not have been in vain.It was just a pity for these intelligent children. They still had bright years ahead of them. They could have seen the bright sun decades later one day. Even if they lived their lives in mediocrity, with their intelligence, they could always marry, have children, and grandchildren.

Earlier, the old man had taken all the blame on himself, saying that he had instigated them to do this, and he was the mastermind. They were just deceived by his glib tongue. How could these village teenagers know the gravity of the situation? They just thought it was fun. It was a pity that those clever officials of the Grand Li Ministry of Punishment were not easy to deceive.But there was a kind of look that the old man still couldn't figure out. When those young officials looked at them, there was no contempt, dislike, or disdain that seeped from their bones. On the contrary, when they were handling the case, there was an indescribable meaning on their faces and in their eyes.

The old man knew the power of officialdom. A county magistrate who destroys a family, a prefect who wipes out a lineage, do you really think that is just a saying in opera?If it weren't for this sky-high farce, the teenagers would have been lucky. When they were born, the dynasty had already changed, and the royal surname was Song.Perhaps it was because the old man, who had served noble people of the previous dynasty for half his life, felt that he had not truly lived this life.That's why he was persuaded by the eager eyes of the teenagers and agreed to come to the Grand Li capital with them in a daze.

The crops in their hometown stood in the fields, the small bridge stood over the stream, the mountains of the old country stood on the land, and perhaps the beloved foreign girl of a certain teenager stood in his heart.

They could already vaguely see the outline of a huge building, like a dragon coiled in the Grand Li capital.The old man stopped in his tracks and suddenly let out a wail. Perhaps he had never spoken so loudly in his life."This young lady, I know you are of noble status, a person like someone standing in the sky in our Grand Li... I can die, but they must not be killed!"

The old man's voice was as mournful as that of a solitary, sick crane, with broken wings, flapping in the mud, struggling for its life.

The teenagers' eyes instantly turned red. It wasn't until tonight that they discovered that the scrawny Master Hong, who only knew how to brag, was actually such a heroic figure.

Pei Qian stopped and turned around, smiling, "Who said we are going to kill you? Don't scare yourselves. I'm just taking you to see my master. He wants to chat with you."

The gaunt old man refused to believe it. He simply spread his hands, shielding the teenagers behind him, his eyes pleading with the gentle-looking woman, "Young lady, please, let them go."

He was afraid. Compared to the stories of the previous dynasty that the old man had seen for a long time, the officials of Grand Li, from the Honglu Temple and the local areas, were truly formidable. They would not kill for selfish reasons. They would even explain the legal provisions in detail, and even when they knew the old man was talking nonsense, they would patiently listen and then refute each point until the old man was speechless.

This left the people who were killed with no way to find an excuse for themselves, no way to claim how dirty the world was, how unfair justice was, or how the officials treated human lives like grass.

The old man, for some reason, seemed to have been reminded of sad things and began to sob, but he still protected the three teenagers.

The life and death of these nameless nobodies were like the withering and flourishing of wildflowers and weeds by the roadside, known only to the nearby wildflowers and weeds, and they would also quietly disappear.

Pei Qian said helplessly, "My master's surname is Chen, and his name is Ping'an."

The old man was stunned and bewildered. The teenagers looked at each other, not recognizing the name either.

Since it was such a rustic name, it must be a big figure who had risen to prominence, not from the alleys of Yichi or Chier Street?The problem was, the old man knew one thing even better: the more humble a person's background, the more ruthless they often were. Ruthless in making money, ruthless in being an official, and most ruthless in dealing with people and matters.

Pei Qian had no choice but to flip over the jade token.

The old man rubbed his eyes hard. The refined-looking teenager's eyes were sharp, and he was the first to recognize the three characters, "National Preceptor's Manor."The refined-looking teenager tentatively asked, "Sister, are you named Rong Yu, or Fu Qing?"

The Grand Li National Preceptor, Cui Chan, the Embroidered Tiger, who didn't know him, who didn't know him? A supreme and formidable figure.They had also done some research, especially after arriving in the capital. They had even heard the names Rong Yu and Fu Qing.However, since they were caught and imprisoned, how could they know the current situation of the Grand Li court?

Pei Qian smiled and shook her head, "No."

A woman in embroidered clothes with a round collar came over. Her steps seemed slow, but in fact, she arrived in an instant, smiling, "I am Rong Yu."She waved her hand, and the hidden spies in the street quietly withdrew.

Rong Yu asked softly, "What happened just now?"

Pei Qian smiled and said, "This old gentleman was worried that I was taking them to the gates of hell, so he desperately protected the three of them."

Rong Yu nodded and said, "Very good."

The old man subconsciously rubbed his hands, and for a moment, he didn't know where to put them. He asked in a trembling voice, "Is it really Miss Rong Yu from the National Preceptor's Manor?"

Rong Yu smiled and said, "Who would dare to impersonate anyone at the entrance of the National Preceptor's Manor? I'm not as bold as you."

The refined-looking teenager looked up. This was the National Preceptor's Manor of the Grand Li dynasty. Could he really chat with that Embroidered Tiger? What should he say when they met?

He heard that the smartest young people in the world were all officials inside.

The thin teenager was curious. This woman named Rong Yu, at a glance, was a trained fighter. He wondered if she was the legendary martial arts grandmaster.Heh, no matter how powerful she was, how high could she be? She would only be knocked down by a single punch from the Grandmaster Zheng, nicknamed "Zheng Qingming" or "Zheng Throwing Money."This maid from the National Preceptor's Manor named Rong Yu was naturally beautiful, but not as beautiful as her. Just thinking of the peer he liked, the tall teenager's heart was about to break.He wondered how she was doing, whether she had escaped the capital. If she had escaped the capital, would she still remember him in this life?

Rong Yu smiled and said, "Hong Tao, Ding Hao, Ma Buhai, Hu Jin. Don't just stand there. Come with us to the National Preceptor's Manor to meet the National Preceptor."

The old man named Hong Tao timidly asked, "Can we change our clothes first? We can pay you for them, they don't need to be too expensive or too good, otherwise we will have to pay on credit."After all, they didn't make any money this time, and they almost lost their lives.

Rong Yu smiled and said, "You don't need to change clothes. When the National Preceptor asked Miss Pei to bail you out of the Ministry of Punishment's prison, he said that after looking through the archives, Mr. Hong is an expert who is accustomed to reading romance novels. The National Preceptor is afraid that you will have wrong ideas and your imagination will run wild all the way. When you meet, you will find that your expectations are dashed and you will lose interest in talking."

Hong Tao's old face turned red, and the old man was so embarrassed he wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.The three teenagers were even more dumbfounded. The National Preceptor was a divine calculator!No wonder he could be the National Preceptor of Grand Li and repel those fierce and unparalleled savage beasts back then.

The Song family of Grand Li must have had green smoke rising from their ancestral graves to meet such a National Preceptor.It seems that this statement cannot be put this way. The Grand Li Emperor also has great courage. All the way, whenever they talked about this old Emperor, it was all good words. Master Hong was right, good words that are destined not to reach the ears of the person being praised are definitely true good words.

Following Rong Yu and the woman who was most likely Fu Qing, they walked towards the National Preceptor's Manor. The old man asked softly, "Are there any precautions we need to take?"He really didn't know how to address them appropriately, so he simply omitted the title.

Rong Yu smiled and said, "There is nothing to be particularly concerned about, and you don't need to be nervous. Just treat our National Preceptor as an official who receives a salary every year. When you meet, you will naturally understand."

The old man's heart was full of excitement, and he scratched his ears and cheeks. It truly felt like a dream tonight.

Rong Yu smiled and asked, "Ding Hao, after you finish your sentence, do you want to study at Chunshan Academy?"

Ding Hao, with his handsome features, shook his head, "Studying is useless. We can't pass the exams against the children of wealthy families. Besides, we are not the kind of people who are cut out for studying."

The short teenager named Ma Buhai nodded vigorously and said, "What's the point of going to Chunshan Academy? Reading will only make people stupid. I want to go to a martial arts school with Ding Hao first, learn martial arts and practice boxing. After graduating, it would be best to open my own martial arts school, take on disciples, and then open a security agency. I want to become famous in the martial world and earn a lot of money. One day, I will let that incredibly skilled Grandmaster Zheng know that there is a person named Ma Buhai in the martial world."

Pei Qian rubbed her forehead.

Rong Yu deliberately asked in surprise, "Grandmaster Zheng? Male or female? Why haven't I heard of her? How is she incredibly skilled in martial arts?"

Ma Buhai looked a bit disdainful, "And you call yourself a maid from the National Preceptor's Manor? You must be an imposter, right? So ignorant! You don't even know 'Zheng Qian', one of the Four Great Martial Arts Grandmasters?!" The teenager crossed his arms and sneered, "I heard that Grandmaster Zheng's killer move is a set of berserk sword techniques that have never been seen before. When I master my martial arts, earn enough money, and become famous enough, I will definitely ask a famous martial arts expert to arrange a meeting with her. It would be best to challenge her boxing and sword techniques in person."

The teenager saw the young woman with her hair in a bun turn her head and smile at him, saying, "Practice your boxing and techniques well, and stop listening to these nonsensical rumors. Do you believe them? Aren't you foolish?"

Ma Buhai said irritably, "Sister, I naturally respect you and am very grateful that you rescued us from prison. This should be considered a life-saving kindness, and I will naturally find an opportunity to repay you in the future. But don't look down on that Grandmaster Zheng, otherwise I will have to argue with you and explain everything to you..."

Ding Hao secretly tugged at Ma Buhai's sleeve, telling him to say less. The arrogance of descendants from wealthy families was never shown on their faces. Don't provoke them with a few words and make them secretly resent you. By then, you won't even know how you died.

The old man took a deep breath, feeling as if he was in a dream. He was really going to see such a distant figure?When he was so close, what could a vulgar and lowly person like himself say to that Embroidered Tiger?

In the night, in the Grand Li National Preceptor's Manor, the old man and teenagers from the countryside were so nervous that their palms were sweating, and they unconsciously slowed down their pace.

The old man inwardly marveled. As expected of the National Preceptor's Manor of our Grand Li dynasty, even the gatekeeper is so scholarly, like a scholar.

On the steps of the main gate, a middle-aged man in a blue robe and cloth shoes sat, as if he had been waiting for them, who considered themselves nobodies, for a long time.