Chapter 349: Missing You A Little

The Yao family acted with seasoned experience, arranging for someone to await Chen Pingan at the post station. Zhu Lian was among them, and the young scout Yao Xianzhi stubbornly insisted on staying as well.

Chen Pingan apologized to the two Yao family veterans, who laughed heartily, one of them hastily waving his hand and saying that Chen Gongzi was far too polite, treating them as outsiders, which was absolutely unacceptable.

Yao Xianzhi looked at Chen Pingan as if he were a victorious general returning from the battlefield, leaving Chen Pingan somewhat bewildered.

The group rode their horses to catch up with the main contingent. Pei Qian shared a horse with Chen Pingan, the little girl overjoyed. General Yao Zhen had already ordered the carriages to slow down, so it wasn't long before Chen Pingan spotted the group's silhouette.

After a period of rest and recuperation, coupled with medicinal pills from a certain imperial prince, the wounds that Yao Zhen had sustained from the assassin's attack had almost fully healed. Today, heading north, he had slowed the pace of the horses. After obtaining Yao Jinzhi's permission, he left the carriage and began to ride. After all, he was an old man who had spent most of his life fighting on horseback. He had long been accustomed to the rapid marches of long-distance raids in his youth, and he wouldn't fall off even when sleeping on horseback. Today, riding alongside Chen Pingan, the scenery along the way was pleasant, and there were even hints of the River Burial Water God Temple. Yao Zhen was in excellent spirits, his laughter hearty.

Chen Pingan wanted the old general to help him obtain a topographic map of the River Burial region from the government. Yao Zhen agreed without even asking the details.

Pei Qian had already been sent back to the carriage to share space with Sui Youbian once again. The latter was sitting cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation, her sword laid across her lap, radiating a solemn aura.

Pei Qian had never liked this ice-cold woman. It was as if everyone owed her dozens of taels of silver. Who did she think she was, wearing such a sour face all day long? She'd be an old hag by next year if she kept it up.

Before entering the carriage, Pei Qian had asked Chen Pingan to return her small regular script brush and rice paper. Now, sitting in a corner, she carefully opened her cloth bundle, placing her new belongings inside with care. From the very bottom, she pulled out a heavily creased book. Glancing at a pair of boots in the bundle, which looked recently purchased but were covered in mud, she stuck out her tongue, quickly closing the bundle, afraid of being seen.

Leaning back, Pei Qian held the damaged old book high in her hands, examining it from all angles for a long time before finally placing it on her face and drifting off to sleep.

Before falling asleep, the little girl thought about what that person had said, that she should truly read with her heart in the future, not just memorize by rote. She thought about it, but today was too tiring, she'd do it tomorrow, definitely tomorrow. But then she remembered a saying, "Tomorrow and tomorrow, how many tomorrows there are," and she almost laughed out loud with glee.

And so, the little girl slept especially soundly that night.

Sui Youbian opened her long, narrow phoenix eyes and gently exhaled a breath. It was quickly dispelled as she raised her palm and lightly brushed away the wisp of energy.

Of the four individuals from the painting, apart from the taciturn Wei Xian, who had escaped the confines of the painting first, the other three had all arrived in this vast world on the same day.

Zhu Lian had walked the path of external martial arts to its extreme, only turning inward after reaching the pinnacle of martial arts. Otherwise, this martial arts madman, personally slain by Ding Ying, wouldn't have desired to single-handedly defeat the other nine Grandmasters. In that tragic and unprecedented battle, Zhu Lian's most terrifying aspect was that the more severely wounded he became, the stronger his attacks grew. Although Ding Ying had been fortunate enough to survive to the end and even obtained the lotus crown from Zhu Lian's head, this man, hailed as the greatest of all time, never once mentioned the battle of the Nanyuan capital in his life. Perhaps there was a hidden secret within that.

Lu Baixiang was exceptionally talented, learning everything quickly and mastering it with ease. Therefore, his martial arts path was all-encompassing, much like Ding Ying, the number one figure of Lotus Flower Blessed Land in later generations. However, Lu Baixiang's ambition, or rather, his aspirations, were not as fanatical and pure as Ding Ying's. Hence, after founding the Demonic Sect in those years, he remained a lone wolf, enjoying traveling the world. That was why he was trapped in a siege. However, even the righteous sect masters who participated in the bloody encirclement and suffered a drop in their cultivation level had a hint of admiration for Lu Baixiang deep down. As for a certain event that was destined not to remain within the martial world, it was that the two who fought the most fiercely in that battle were both immortal maidens from prestigious families who admired Lu Baixiang. They were likely embracing a mindset of seeking death for love.

Wei Xian's martial arts were the most unique, a natural-born enemy of ten thousand on the battlefield, adept at dealing with encirclements and ambushes. He was able to penetrate formations alone, undeterred by millions. Historically, there were almost no records of one-on-one duels in the unofficial histories and martial arts anecdotes about this founding emperor of the Nanyuan Kingdom.

As for Sui Youbian, both in terms of aptitude and temperament, she was actually more like a cultivator of the vast world than a pure martial artist yearning for some kind of "Zenith."

Although Sui Youbian had been staying in the Abbot's land recently, her true focus was still not on the mortal realm, but rather on the heavens above.

She was currently attempting an unorthodox sword technique. In the spiritually deficient Lotus Flower Blessed Land, it could only be a castle in the air, but in the vast world, it had great potential.

The current step was somewhat similar to the martial artist's "filling the sea," but she also had differences. She was fanning the flames between her ribs, forging her own sword furnace, warming a wisp of sword energy, imitating the pure martial artist's breath of true qi, roaming like a fiery dragon, patrolling the surroundings.

Once Sui Youbian succeeded, it would not only be refining her physique and spirit, but also forging a strand of sword energy into a sword embryo, almost a prototype of the sword cultivator's Natal Flying Sword.

And Sui Youbian currently had no opportunity to come into contact with anything related to sword cultivators. One could imagine how high Sui Youbian's sword cultivation talent was.

These days, she had only heard some private discussions among the Yao family border soldiers about the heroic deed of Yao family's benefactor, Chen Pingan, in assassinating the assassin. Among them, they mentioned the demeanor of sword cultivators, the sharpness and immense power of their attacks, and the unpredictable nature of their flying swords, which made her yearn for it.

This was good. Lotus Flower Blessed Land was too small to accommodate her sword. This world was vast enough, and one day, she would definitely draw her sword at the highest peak!

Sui Youbian closed her eyes again.

She would never lose to anyone in cultivation. Her opponent was never Wei Xian and the other two.

Outside the carriage, the sound of hooves echoed. The Great Spring Dynasty was in its prosperous prime, and many children in the countryside would stop to watch. The village couples were not afraid, their eyes filled only with curiosity.

Chen Pingan rode on horseback, looking at the people of Great Spring.

Years ago, when he was traveling with the boy in blue and the girl in pink during a heavy snowfall, he had encountered a company of elite border scouts from Great Li. They were well-trained and extremely capable. After looking at his travel pass, they had smiled and suggested that they could go to the beacon tower to take shelter from the wind and snow.While the Grand Li Emperor, the regional king Song Changjing, and their neighbor Song Jixin hadn't left a positive impression on Chen Ping'an, it was precisely that chance encounter that prevented him from harboring prejudices against the Grand Li Dynasty.

That day, the convoy arrived at a large post station near a state capital by dusk. The station was exquisitely designed, featuring a small garden with lush bamboo groves.

That evening, Yao Zhen personally delivered a topographical map to Chen Ping'an. At the time, Chen Ping'an was carefully examining the jade slip inside his room. Pei Qian, sitting across the table, was yawning, a talisman with a pagoda image stuck to her forehead. Her reason was that she had heard bamboo forests were prone to female ghosts, and the rustling of the wind made her feel like they were flitting among the bamboo. Upon Yao Zhen's knock, Pei Qian immediately opened the door. The old general, seeing the little girl with the talisman, asked the reason and burst into laughter. He said there was no need to fear, even if there were ghosts hiding in the bamboo forest, the Yao family's military men were brimming with masculine energy, and ghosts would be afraid of them.

Pei Qian said "Oh," took off the talisman, placed it on the table, and went to sleep in her own room.

Yao Zhen gestured for Chen Ping'an to sit down and talk.

After they were seated, Chen Ping'an naturally offered his thanks. Official topographical maps were strictly forbidden from circulating among the common people, with controls even tighter than those on bows and crossbows.

Yao Zhen laughed, "It's not a big deal. The local governor readily agreed. Once officials reach the level of regional authorities, they don't need to worry too much about these things. Don't feel like you owe me a great favor. Speaking of which, Governor Liu was quite flustered when he first saw me. You see, he has a relative working in the Ministry of War, so I had him in my grasp. When he heard I wanted a topographical map, you wouldn't believe the look of relief on his face."

Chen Ping'an smiled, "Then I won't stand on ceremony?"

Yao Zhen pointed a finger at Chen Ping'an, "You, I don't understand. Two fierce battles, matters of life and death, and you were such a straightforward benefactor. How is it that in everyday interactions, you're so reserved, so uncomfortable, so lacking in boldness?"

Chen Ping'an was speechless.

Yao Zhen said softly, "My grandson, Yao Xianzhi, is shy and didn't dare to ask himself, so he asked me to speak to you, wanting you to offer him some pointers on his martial arts. What do you think?"

Chen Ping'an considered it carefully, "If it's just a polite exchange, I have no objections. But if Yao Xianzhi wants to truly gain something, I recommend he seek out Wei Xian. I can put in a word with Wei Xian for him."

Yao Zhen said solemnly, "That kid just wants to be polite."

Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "Then I'll spar with him tomorrow."

Yao Zhen stroked his beard and chuckled, "So after the politeness, I'll have him go to Wei Xian."

Chen Ping'an nodded, "I'll speak to Wei Xian about it later. In that case, I can accept this topographical map with a clear conscience. After all, guidance from experts like us is priceless."

Yao Zhen slapped the table and laughed, "That's right, that shameless, wicked side of you is just like me when I was young! No wonder we get along so well!"

Chen Ping'an shook his head with a wry smile.

Yao Zhen left as happily as he had come.

Chen Ping'an unfurled the topographical map, took out the Water Character Seal from his mustard seed space, gently breathed on it, and heavily stamped it twice over the locations of the Buried River Water God Temple and the Jade Purity Mansion.

Only then did he put away the Water Character Seal and the topographical map.

He continued to browse the densely packed, fly-sized characters on the jade slip. The palm-sized jade slip had over five thousand characters engraved on both sides. The front contained the main text of the Immortal Artifact Refinement Art, and the back contained the Water God's annotations and insights.

Although it appeared to be just a formula for refining objects, it actually spoke of the Grand Dao of the Five Elements, its textual content pure and subtle, its principles profound. Because the Water God had comprehended it from a prayer inscription on a rain-summoning stele, she began with the element of Water from the Five Elements to explain the general context: Water, in the five organs, is governed by the kidneys; in the five senses, it is the ears; in the five perceptions, it is sound; in the five fingers, it is the little finger; in the five liquids, it is saliva; in the five tones, it is yu; in the five wills, it is fear; in the five sacrifices, it is the well; and its governing deity is the Northern Black Tortoise.

The context was clear, and the Water God had detailed explanations on the back of the jade slip regarding which Qi reservoirs and acupoints should be refined, and how. She could be said to be sharing everything she knew, even explicitly telling Chen Ping'an on the back of the jade slip that this Immortal Dao Art could refine golden bodies and incense offerings.

Chen Ping'an was shocked as he read, realizing that the "A drop of Heavenly Golden Vase Water" inscribed on the stele had profound meaning, implying that after the formula's cultivation was completed, it would be equivalent to melting an entire golden core into water essence, nourishing the five internal organs. "Flying threads fill the sky like a loom" referred to connecting and resonating the "express roads" of the meridians within the human body. And the "Transforming into the coolness of the Four Heavens, sweeping away the world's heat" involved the Daoist Azure Void World, the four levels of the White Jade Tower, which could use four types of Daoist methods to help cultivators subdue their inner demons. This was not a mere side path, but the most orthodox Daoist method, a path to the heavens that all Nascent Soul Earth Immortals dreamed of. Walking this path did not guarantee success, but it was like "climbing to the summit of a mountain" for Earth Immortals, building four heavenly bridges towards the heavens, providing four additional opportunities to avoid straying from the path, and even allowing one to return along the same route. Moreover, during the cultivation period, it could also benefit the body and spirit. Who wouldn't envy such advantages?

No wonder the Water God directly stated that this formula could "refine all things," speculating that even in a top-tier Immortal cave abode, this Daoist formula would be the sect master's exclusive treasure.

Chen Ping'an closed his eyes and silently recited the five thousand characters in his heart, resolving not to easily take out the jade slip in the future.

For some reason, Chen Ping'an felt a cool sensation throughout his body and a sense of comfort as he held the jade slip, and his injuries from the inn battle recovered at an extremely rapid pace.

Chen Ping'an opened his eyes, realizing that something extraordinary was happening. However, he didn't recognize what kind of jade this jade slip was made of, thinking that he could ask Wei Bo about it when he returned to Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

Late that night, a surge of water vapor suddenly filled the post station, enveloping it in a white mist, causing Yin Miaofeng and Shao Yuanran to abruptly interrupt their seated meditation and leave their rooms to head towards the garden.

Chen Ping'an also stopped his Sword Forging Stance training, opened the window, and leaped out.

Soon, under the urgent reminders of several accompanying cultivators, the Yao family members at the post station hastily got out of bed, and the veteran soldiers donned their armor and weapons, standing ready.

Zhu Lian's room was pitch black, but the hunched old man was actually pacing silently around the table, his footsteps meticulously calculated.

Sui Youbian sat cross-legged on the bed, opened her eyes, and then closed them again.Wei Xian lay stiffly on the bed, hands clasped on his abdomen, still as a statue.

Lu Baixiang stopped at the window.

In the bamboo forest, Yin Miaofeng and Shao Yuanran breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the uninvited guest.

The Daoist Baozhen smiled and congratulated with clasped hands, "Congratulations on the completion of the Water Goddess's golden body! A truly joyous occasion!"

Standing before them was a petite figure, adorned in exceedingly magnificent imperial garments, none other than the Water Goddess of the Mai River, who had hurried over from the Azure Jade Mansion.

From now on, even if the Golden Summit Temple's abbot himself were to arrive here, he could no longer look down upon this Mai River Water Goddess whose cultivation had soared. One must know that within the Mai River waters, especially near the Azure Jade Mansion and the Water Goddess Temple, this petite woman was equivalent to a nascent soul earth immortal in power.

The Water Goddess chuckled, "Last time, my Azure Jade Mansion was remiss in its hospitality, a great discourtesy. This time, I have come not only for a private matter but also to invite True Man Yin to be my guest at the mansion in the near future. I wish to apologize to True Man Yin, Little True Man Shao, and to all of you."

Daoist Baozhen was truly flattered.

Firstly, the other party's cultivation was vastly different than before; even here, she could be considered a half-step nascent soul grandee. Secondly, the Azure Jade Mansion had already forged a connection with the quasi-saint Zhong Kui. Even if they abandoned the Great Spring Liu clan, the court could only grit their teeth and accept it. Thirdly, the upper echelons of the Great Spring all knew about this Mai River Water Goddess's notorious temper. How could Yin Miaofeng, merely one of the Liu clan's Dragon Gate realm retainers, not be overjoyed by her willingness to express such goodwill?

Even the proud Shao Yuanran wore a sincere smile.

Chen Ping'an approached the master and disciple, greeted them first, and then looked towards the Water Goddess.

Yin Miaofeng and Shao Yuanran tactfully departed, instructing the Yao family veteran and the accompanying cultivator to lower their guard. Yin Miaofeng then subtly revealed the Mai River Water Goddess's identity.

Yao Zhen smiled and saluted the Water Goddess from afar.

The various rumors surrounding the Mai River Water Goddess were prevalent even at the border, naturally aligning with the old general's tastes.

The Water Goddess returned Yao Zhen's salute, uttering a straightforward remark that left people unsure whether to laugh or cry, "The day General retires and returns to the border, you must come to my Azure Jade Mansion for a drink, as much as you can handle!"

Yao Xianzhi and Yao Lingzhi almost simultaneously rolled their eyes.

Yao Jinzhi, wearing a veiled hat, stood beside Yao Zhen, slender and graceful.

Finally, with a flick of her wrist, the Water Goddess produced a jar of wine and tossed it to Chen Ping'an, conveying in a mental message, "Carefully keep that jade slip. The jade slip itself is a treasure, otherwise it would have been shattered to dust by those grand Dao characters long ago."

Next, the Water Goddess's words were no longer veiled; everyone could hear them. She laughed boisterously and heartily, "I thought about it all the way here and almost wanted to offer myself in gratitude for your great kindness! Thankfully, I restrained myself. I drank a little over half of this jar of Water Flower Wine when I came, originally to embolden myself. But after entering the post house, I still couldn't bring myself to say those embarrassing words. Chen Ping'an, aren't you a little regretful for missing out on a flower-like beauty? Hahaha, I happened to have over half a jar of fine wine left, take it and drown your sorrows!"

This Water Goddess...

Came and went in haste.

Chen Ping'an stood in place, holding the wine jar, feeling that it was awkward to drink or not to drink.

Yao Zhen smiled with schadenfreude.

Yao Xianzhi, after being stunned, extended both hands and gave Chen Ping'an two thumbs up.

Pei Qian stood in the distance, dazed.

Chen Ping'an, with a stern face, returned to their lodgings with Pei Qian.

As they parted ways, Chen Ping'an solemnly said, "If you ever meet a girl surnamed Ning, you are not allowed to talk about tonight's events!"

Pei Qian blinked, "What if, I mean what if, I let something slip?"

Chen Ping'an said in a deep voice, "After I'm beaten half to death, I'll beat you half to death, understand?!"

Pei Qian immediately said loudly, "Understood! I have read books, and I am now as firm as iron, I will never speak a word!"

They returned to their respective rooms.

Chen Ping'an wiped sweat from his forehead.

Finally, he smiled.

No longer practicing the sword furnace stance, he leaned on the table, took out the small whetstone, and engraved the beautiful words "Innocence" and the lovely words "Ning Yao".

Miss Ning, I am well.

Along this road, I have traveled far, encountering many people and things.

I miss you a little, no, I miss you very much.