Chapter 25: Farewell

Outside a house in Mud Bottle Alley, a snot-nosed, mischievous boy was kicking the door fiercely, cursing and spitting, "Chen Ping'an! If you don't come out, I'll get someone to kill you and smash all your junk! I know you're home, what are you busy with? Are you messing around with Song Jixin's wife and Zhigui? In broad daylight, don't you know how to consider Song Jixin's feelings? Fine, fine, you won't come out, right? I'm leaving, I'm really leaving! Once I leave, you can forget about ever seeing me again! All my treasures, I originally wanted to leave them to you, Chen Ping'an! Come out quickly!"

For some reason, by the end of his tirade, the boy was almost crying, and he violently sucked the two snot strands back into his nostrils.

Gu Can suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head and quickly turned around. After seeing the familiar face, the boy burst into curses, "Chen Ping'an! You son of a..."

The straw-sandaled youth didn't look too pleased, so Gu Can quickly changed his tune, adding, "Are you doing well?"

Smooth as flowing water, the transition was seamless and not at all awkward.

Used to this brat's heartlessness, Chen Ping'an, carrying a new pottery jar, said annoyedly, "If I am, wouldn't you know?"

Gu Can realized he had important business, quickly pulled Chen Ping'an to the courtyard gate, and stuffed two exquisitely embroidered pouches into Chen Ping'an's hands. The boy lowered his voice and asked, "Do you remember that little loach I asked you for last year?"

Chen Ping'an was completely bewildered, holding the heavy pouches. The contents weren't unfamiliar; the brocade-robed youth who had forcibly bought the golden carp had specially sent a pouch of copper coins afterward. Chen Ping'an looked around cautiously. There were no pedestrians at either end of Mud Bottle Alley, but he still quickly opened the door, brought Gu Can into the yard, and after placing the pottery jar aside, he asked directly, "Did some outsider offer to buy that loach from you, right?! Gu Can, I advise you, don't sell it no matter what! Don't sell it even if you're beaten to death. Don't you want your mother to live a good life in the future? You must keep that loach, you hear?!"

Gu Can burst into tears, grabbed Chen Ping'an's sleeve, and choked, "I wanted to return the loach to you, but my mother wouldn't let me, and even slapped me! My mother has never hit me since I was little. Also, that storyteller, I don't know if he's a god or a ghost, he's so scary. First, he brought me to White Bowl Village, and then that loach suddenly became very, very big, much thicker than my family's water vat..."

Chen Ping'an quickly covered the boy's mouth, his face serious as he glared, "The loach was a gift, it's yours! Gu Can, do you still want your mother to live a good life in the future? To be able to eat meat every day, for your mother to use rouge and powder, to buy those smooth and silky clothes?"

Gu Can sniffled and nodded vigorously.

Chen Ping'an let go of his hand, squatted down, and asked, "What's the deal with these two pouches of money? Did you steal them?"

Gu Can's eyes darted around, about to lie, but Chen Ping'an was far too familiar with him. The little bastard, you could tell what kind of feces he was going to squeeze out just by looking at him stick his butt out. Chen Ping'an directly gave Gu Can another head flick, sternly, "Take them back!"

Gu Can's stubborn temper flared up, "No!"

Chen Ping'an was so angry his face turned blue, and he raised his hand to deliver a genuine head flick, but seeing the boy's stubborn expression, Chen Ping'an softened a little, relaxed his tone, thought for a moment, and asked, "What exactly happened, tell me."

Gu Can then told the whole story from beginning to end. Though the boy was usually infuriating, he was indeed exceptionally clever and precocious. From the old locust tree to the iron-chained well, and then to the Mud Bottle Alley courtyard, he clearly explained to Chen Ping'an the miraculous encounter of the storyteller wanting to take him as a disciple. At this moment, Chen Ping'an roughly understood. Gu Can was most likely one of the people in the small town who had received ancestral blessings like the locust leaf he obtained. Whether it was ancestral graves emitting green smoke, or as Mr. Qi and Taoist Lu said, having fate and good fortune, Gu Can was likely to be taken away from the small town by that storyteller. But thinking of that Intercepting River True Lord Liu Zhimao, Chen Ping'an's heart tightened. According to Mr. Qi, this person's character was truly despicable, and he even wanted to get rid of himself as soon as possible, not hesitating to use immortal magic to frame himself and Cai Jinjian. Was it truly a good thing that Gu Can had recognized this person as his master? However, on the other hand, since this person was willing to accept Gu Can as a disciple, instead of cheating, abducting, or forcibly buying and selling, could it be said that Gu Can was temporarily not in danger of his life?

The clever and mischievous boy's eyes darted around rapidly, and taking advantage of Chen Ping'an's thoughts, he suddenly grabbed the two pouches of money from Chen Ping'an's hand and threw them into the house, then turned and ran.

As a result, Chen Ping'an grabbed the back of his collar and pulled him back to his original spot.

Gu Can covered his head with both hands, looking pitiful.

Although Chen Ping'an had forcibly dragged the boy back, he hesitated about what to do, as the matter involved was too great. Chen Ping'an was very afraid of making the wrong choice, causing Gu Can and his mother to be implicated.

If it was just his own affair, this lonely and helpless straw-sandaled youth would probably have been much more decisive.

The black-clothed girl had gotten out of bed and stood behind the threshold. "My mother once said that everyone has their own fate. This child looks like a scourge that will live for a thousand years and will never lack good luck."

Gu Can's eyes lit up, and he quickly wiped away the two snot strands, grinning, revealing the gap where his tooth was missing, flattering with a smile, "Sister, you're so pretty, you look exactly like my second sister! This place is small, why don't you come to my house and sit for a while?"

Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "When did your mother remarry your father?"

Exposed, the boy immediately rolled his eyes, changing his expression and tone, tut-tutting, "Chen Ping'an, not bad, you've become successful, when did you kidnap a wife to come home? Are you going to have a wedding night? It's a pity I won't be able to make it, otherwise I would definitely squat at the corner of the wall, listening to you two immortals fighting on the bed..."

Chen Ping'an slapped Gu Can on the head, apologizing to the black-clothed girl, "He's just like this, don't be angry."

The girl glanced at the boy, "What a brat!"

Gu Can was about to display his family's skills, but sensing the hand on his head secretly increasing its force, he immediately looked listless and weak, "Sister, you're so beautiful, whatever you say is right."The girl in black ignored the child, turning her gaze to Chen Ping An, a profound look in her eyes. "You best accept those two pouches of copper coins, lest resentment fester between you later. Furthermore, if this child achieves success in cultivation, your failure to alleviate his guilt today might destabilize his Dao Heart, allowing an External Heavenly Demon to seize the opportunity to invade."

Gu Can liked the sound of that, giving the lady a thumbs-up. "Long hair, long on insight! Definitely more reliable than that little wench next door!"

The girl in black raised an eyebrow, accepting the compliment with pleasure.

From afar, a furious roar echoed through the Mud Bottle Alley. "Gu Can!"

The child's face paled slightly. "Gotta go, gotta go! Chen Ping An, I'm off!"

Though he declared his departure, the child himself didn't realize his grip on Chen Ping An's fingers had tightened.

Perhaps, subconsciously, Gu Can already regarded Chen Ping An as the only family he had besides his mother.

Chen Ping An led the child out of the courtyard, crouched down, and whispered, "Gu Can, remember to be wary of your master. And take care of your mother. You're a man now; she'll have to rely on you from now on. Don't always make her worry."

Gu Can hummed in agreement.

Chen Ping An continued, "Once you're out there, do more, say less. Hold your tongue. If you suffer some losses, so be it. Don't always think about getting the upper hand verbally. People out there aren't like us; they hold grudges."

With reddened eyes, the child retorted, "People here hold grudges too! Except for you."

Chen Ping An chuckled, momentarily speechless.

Suddenly struck by an idea, Chen Ping An urgently asked, "Gu Can, did you happen to get a locust leaf?"

If not, Chen Ping An wouldn't believe Gu Can had received a celestial opportunity. The storyteller's arrival might just be a death warrant.

Hearing that, the child became indignant. He pulled out a handful of leaves from his pocket with a rustle, habitually cursing. "I don't know which damned bastard secretly stuffed so many rotten leaves in my pocket! I only found them just now when I snuck out of the house to hide those two pouches of money. It's either Zhao Xiaopang or that brat, Liu Mei! If my mom sees them when she's washing clothes, she'll scold me for being reckless again! Lucky I'm leaving soon, or I'd secretly toss stones into their latrine..."

As the child ranted, Chen Ping An was first stunned, then relieved. Seeing the boy about to throw them on the ground, he quickly stopped him, saying with utmost solemnity, "Gu Can, keep them safe! You must keep them safe! If possible, don't even let your mother see these locust leaves. It might be for her own good."

The child looked lost but nodded. "Okay."

Chen Ping An exhaled deeply, muttering to himself, "Now I can truly rest easy."

Suddenly, Gu Can leaned forward and forcefully bumped his forehead against Chen Ping An's head, sobbing, "I'm sorry!"

Rubbing his little head, Chen Ping An chuckled, "Silly thing!"

Gu Can suddenly whispered in his ear.

Chen Ping An froze on the spot.

The child turned and ran off, waving as he jogged away. "That old man said he's taking me and my mother to a place called Azure Gorge Island on Shujian Lake. If you ever end up so poor you can't even afford a wife, come find me! Not to brag, but I can get you seventeen or eighteen beauties like that shrew Zhigui next door, easy!"

Chen Ping An stood there, nodding.

He also felt a pang of sadness.

After all, Gu Can was like a younger brother to him, so Chen Ping An was willing to yield to him in everything.

The straw-sandaled youth gazed at the child's receding figure, lost in thought.

His life was always like this; the people he truly cared about always seemed impossible to hold onto.

The boy in Mud Bottle Alley grinned.

The heavens were truly stingy.

The courtyard gate next door opened gently, and the maid Zhigui stepped out, elegant and graceful like a lotus in a pond.

Chen Ping An asked, "You heard what Gu Can said about you earlier?"

She blinked her long, watery eyes and said, "I'll pretend I didn't. I can never win an argument against those two anyway."

Chen Ping An felt awkward and could only try to say something nice about that little rascal, Gu Can, to smooth things over. "He doesn't have a bad heart, he just speaks harshly."

Zhigui curled her lips without expression. "Whether Gu Can has a good heart or not, I don't know. But I'm certain his widowed mother is no pushover."

Chen Ping An didn't know how to respond, so he simply imitated her and pretended he hadn't heard anything.

She suddenly asked a bizarre question, "Chen Ping An, do you really not regret it?"

Chen Ping An was stunned. "Huh?"

Seeing that he wasn't feigning ignorance, Zhigui sighed, turned, and returned to the courtyard, closing the wooden gate.

With his keen eyesight, Chen Ping An stood in the alley and finally saw Gu Can's courtyard gate open in the distance. Three figures emerged, the mother and son each carrying large and small bundles, slowly walking towards the other end of Mud Bottle Alley.

Chen Ping An even clearly saw the storyteller turn his head, glance at him, and offer a playful smile.

After the three figures disappeared at the end of the alley, Chen Ping An returned to his courtyard and saw that the girl in black was already able to sit on the threshold by herself.

Was her body made of iron?

Chen Ping An first placed the jade hairpin given by Mr. Qi and the two pouches of copper coins brought by Gu Can on the table. Then he began to boil water, prepare the medicine, and brew it, doing it with the skill and ease of someone who had worked in a pharmacy for many years, rather than a kiln worker.

The girl in black was puzzled but didn't ask. Bored, she got up and went to the table. After thinking for a moment, she took out the money pouch that Chen Ping An had hidden in a bottle himself.

After she sat down, there were three pouches of money and a jade hairpin on the table, as well as a spiritual longsword that "cowered" in the corner, knowing its place.

Chen Ping An didn't stop her from taking the money but turned and warned her, "The jade hairpin was given to me by Mr. Qi, Miss Ning. Be careful with it."

Perhaps afraid that the girl wouldn't pay attention, Chen Ping An shyly reminded her again, "Really, be careful."

The girl rolled her eyes.

Three pouches of essence coins, welcome coins, offering coins, and warding coins—coincidentally, a complete set.

The girl rested her cheek on her hand, using the other to fiddle with the three copper coins. She casually asked, "How are things with you? Can you tell me about it?"Chen Pingan squatted by the wall near the window, carefully monitoring the fire, occasionally glancing at the three prescriptions. Hearing the question, he asked, "Is it appropriate to say?"

The girl frowned. "You're in such a miserable state; do you think I'm afraid of being silenced after hearing some secret? Chen Pingan, no offense, but someone as hopelessly good as you should never leave this town. You'd die without even knowing how."

The girl felt pity for his misfortune and anger at his lack of ambition.

Even a powerful sword immortal possessing a vajra body and celestial techniques, if thrown into her hometown, would certainly die within a year, leaving no trace behind.

The straw-sandaled youth chuckled. "Then should I tell you about it?"

The girl pressed three copper coins to the table with three fingers, rubbing them back and forth. "Suit yourself."

Chen Pingan then recounted the events leading up to Master Qi's arrival, selectively omitting details of the aftermath.

After listening, the girl said calmly, "That True Lord of Interception, Liu Zimao, is clearly the culprit. However, Cai Jinjian and Fu Nanhua are no better. If Master Qi hadn't intervened, you could have fled to the ends of the earth and still been hunted down by those three forces. Frankly, killing you would have been easy. Either Liu Zimao or that woman from Yunxia Mountain could have crushed your soul with a single finger."

Chen Pingan nodded. "I know."

The girl huffed. "You know jack!"

Chen Pingan didn't argue and continued brewing the medicine.

She asked, "Your misfortune is all because of that loach. Why not tell the child the truth?"

This time, Chen Pingan didn't remain silent or turn around. Sitting on the small stool, he looked down at the blue-red flames and softly said, "That wouldn't be right."

The girl hesitated, then looked at the thin back and sighed. "Do you know that if your fists aren't strong, no one will care about right or wrong?"

The boy shook his head. "Regardless of whether others listen, reason is reason."

He seemed unsure and turned his head, smiling as he asked, "Right?"

The girl glared. "Right, my foot!"

The youth sheepishly turned back to continue decocting the medicine.

The girl in black, a visitor named Ning Yao, picked up the jade hairpin, gazing at it intently. She found a line of small characters engraved on it.

She glanced at the youth named Chen Pingan.

The hairpin bore eight characters, moving even to the girl with only a rudimentary understanding of writing.

*Thinking of my lord, warm as jade.*