Chapter 58: Teacher

In the desolate wilderness, a flying sword hovered obediently in the air, like a well-bred young lady from a respectable family. Upon seeing the elder who laid down the family rules, it could only lower its eyes and stand respectfully, hands clasped.

Beside the flying sword stood a middle-aged scholar, travel-worn and weary, his temples more frosted than before. If Zhao Yao and Song Jixin, those two seedlings of the scholarly path, were present, they would have noticed that in just ten days, the academy teacher's white hair had increased considerably.

The tip of the flying sword pointed towards the silent Mountain-Moving Ape of True Yang Mountain, its entire being radiating a volatile aura, as if ready to engage in a life-or-death battle at the slightest provocation.

The Mountain-Moving Ape finally couldn't help but ask in a deep voice, "Why were the people from True Martial Mountain allowed to pass, but not I? Mr. Qi, are you being too opportunistic?"

Such a direct question was extremely impolite, but the Mountain-Moving Ape didn't feel the slightest remorse. Although True Martial Mountain was a military sanctuary in the Eastern Treasure Bottle Continent, it had always been fragmented, with a weak sense of belonging. The cultivators and martial artists with great supernatural powers were more like having their names registered at True Martial Mountain. The rules of True Martial Mountain were famously broad and empty, lacking binding force. Where did any cohesion come from?

Qi Jingchun, his face filled with fatigue, first said to the flying sword, "Go, your master is safe."

The flying sword was as if granted amnesty. Its blade leaped with joy, turned its tip, and darted away.

The Mountain-Moving Ape thought it had guessed the reason and its anger intensified. "That young woman is indeed a junior chosen by you, Mr. Qi. If Mr. Qi had long been interested in the Liu Clan Sword Sutra, you could have told me frankly! As long as it doesn't fall into the hands of Wind and Thunder Garden, it can be taken by your unofficial disciple. But you, Mr. Qi, are so secretive. What? Do you want to be both a whore and an upholder of virtue? The benefits are secretly taken by you, Qi Jingchun, but the infamy must be borne by my True Yang Mountain?!"

If the previous accusations and questions were due to anger and recklessness, then the Mountain-Moving Ape's extremely insulting words were undoubtedly tearing off all pretenses.

Qi Jingchun's expression remained unchanged as he slowly said, "I, Qi Jingchun, as a Confucian disciple responsible for overseeing the feng shui and fortune of this place for sixty years, should explain some things to you. First, I have no connection or relationship with that young woman. I simply saw that she had extremely good talent. The plaque with the four characters 'Qi Chong Dou Niu' contains a portion of the Sword Dao fortune of the Treasure Bottle Continent. When the young woman stood under the plaque, the four characters actively formed a connection with her. Unfortunately, the material of the young woman's sword at that time was not sufficient to support the fortune of the four characters, so I conveniently extracted two of the characters and placed them in her sword. My relationship with this young woman ends there. It is not as you speculate, that she is an unofficial disciple I chose."

Qi Jingchun smiled self-deprecatingly, "If I were really willing to brazenly engage in theft, as the head of a family, secretly hoarding things, how could outsiders detect even a trace? A Dream-Slaughtering Sword Sutra is nothing more than that. Does it require me, Qi Jingchun, to plot for nearly sixty years before taking action to seize it?"

As a top figure in True Yang Mountain, the Mountain-Moving Ape had witnessed too many conspiracies with far-reaching plots and had experienced the cunning of many hypocritical superiors and immortals. It was unwilling to easily believe the scholar's previous explanation. However, its tone was much calmer than before, merely sneering, "Oh? So I am judging a gentleman by my own petty standards?"

Qi Jingchun glanced at the Mountain-Moving Ape, "The reason I came here to stop you, but allowed the people from True Martial Mountain to pass, is actually very simple.

Many people jokingly say that True Martial Mountain has 'two truths': true gentlemen and true villains. Therefore, whatever that military sword cultivator tells me, I can believe him. But you are different. You seriously injured Liu Xianyang, ruining his path to greatness, yet deliberately spared his life to prevent me from expelling you too early. You are the kind of person..."

Speaking of this, Qi Jingchun smiled, "Oh, I almost forgot, you're not human."

The Mountain-Moving Ape narrowed its eyes, its fists clenched tightly, its joints cracking.

If it were the mortal enemy Wind and Thunder Garden, or cultivators who disliked True Yang Mountain, mocking and ridiculing it, taking advantage with the "not human" remark, the Mountain-Moving Ape, having lived for a thousand years, wouldn't care at all. But when the middle-aged scholar said it in a calm and gentle tone, the Mountain-Moving Ape inexplicably felt enormous humiliation.

Qi Jingchun was oblivious to the Mountain-Moving Ape's rage and continued, "Stopping you is for the good of True Yang Mountain. Earlier, the young woman was about to unleash her natal treasure. You are from True Yang Mountain, and you have been dealing with sword qi and sword intent for a thousand years. Can't you feel that pressure?"

"That little girl was just struggling in her death throes. Mr. Qi is too embarrassed to use that bit of Daoist power to scare people?"

The old ape laughed loudly, pretending to suddenly understand, "Earlier, someone said that your teacher, Qi Jingchun, had tarnished his reputation in his later years. His statue was repeatedly moved to a lower position, and finally not only was it removed from the Temple of Literature, but it was also smashed to smithereens. I didn't believe it at the time, thinking that as the Fourth Sage of the Confucian Temple of Literature, even if he had the chance to see the legendary Dao Ancestor or Buddha, he would still be a scholar capable of saying a few words. But now it seems that from your teacher to you, Qi Jingchun, this Confucian lineage will be cut off after only two generations! 'The blessings of a gentleman last for five generations before being cut off,' who said that? Why is your lineage so useless? Could it be that your teacher was indeed, as some academies say, not a Confucian sage who carried on the past and opened up the future, but simply a great swindler of the millennium?"

Although Qi Jingchun frowned slightly, he listened quietly to the Mountain-Moving Ape's words from beginning to end, without saying a word.

The old ape laughed wantonly, took a step forward, pointed its finger at the scholar who had been beaten like a dog in the water, and sneered, "Qi Jingchun, aren't you Confucianists the most observant of etiquette? I am standing here within the rules, what can you do to me?!"

Qi Jingchun turned his head and looked towards the town, sighed softly, and looked back at the Mountain-Moving Ape, asking, "Are you finished?"

The Mountain-Moving Ape was stunned, looked up and down at the middle-aged scholar, retracted its finger, and grinned, "Boring, even a clay Buddha has a temper, but I didn't expect scholars to have even better tempers, not even answering back when scolded. I wonder if they don't even fight back when hit?"

Qi Jingchun smiled, "You can try."

The Mountain-Moving Ape seemed tempted, but ultimately did not act.

The Mountain-Moving Ape asked, "Qi Jingchun, are you determined to stop me from going in?"

Qi Jingchun replied, "The consequences are too severe for True Yang Mountain to bear."

The Mountain-Moving Ape asked in a deep voice, "Really?"Qi Jingchun, without resorting to pretense or impulsively yielding to the Mountain-Moving Ape, patiently nodded and affirmed, "Indeed."

The Mountain-Moving Ape rubbed its chin, finally glancing towards the distance behind Qi Jingchun before scoffing, "Consider those two little ones fortunate. Tell them to avoid crossing my path in the future!"

The Mountain-Moving Ape turned and strode away. With its back to Qi Jingchun, the old ape suddenly raised an arm high, extending a thumb.

But the thumb slowly rotated, pointing downwards.

Qi Jingchun looked up at the overcast sky, sensing imminent rain.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the town, a request from the military strategist cultivator from True Martial Mountain, hoping he would grant leniency and allow him to summon one of the enshrined deities of True Martial Mountain. Qi Jingchun nodded softly, saying, "Permitted."

As Qi Jingchun uttered this word, if anyone had looked up at that moment, they would have seen a speck of light suddenly appear at the apex of the sky. Then, an extremely thin golden thread descended, instantly landing within the town.

"Mr. Qi?"

A young voice called out from behind Qi Jingchun.

Qi Jingchun turned to see a young man and woman hurrying towards him.

Seeing the emerald-clad girl, he felt a pang of sentimentality. Back when the reading seed Zhao Yao had fallen for her at first sight, he had offered a piece of advice, describing the girl as an unsheathed sword, most likely to wound the hearts of others. The young Zhao Yao, still ignorant of the nature of love, failed to grasp the deeper meaning of these words, remaining deeply infatuated. Qi Jingchun felt it inappropriate to reveal the truth, that the girl possessed a Daoist heart, the most dispassionate of all.

This dispassion was by no means derogatory but rather the highest form of praise.

After all, worldly affections, the love between a man and a woman, was only one kind of love.

Down in the mundane marketplaces, perhaps this love could stir the heart and move the heavens, compelling devoted lovers to pledge their lives for each other. But on the path of cultivation, things were far more complex.

Seeing the straw sandal-wearing youth, Qi Jingchun's smile became much more natural. He teased in a gentle voice, "Those few fights of yours were truly earth-shattering and ghost-terrifying."

Chen Ping'an looked a bit embarrassed.

Qi Jingchun cut straight to the chase, "I have two things to tell you. One, the Mountain-Moving Ape of Positive Sun Mountain has retreated and will soon leave the town."

Without hesitation, Chen Ping'an directly asked, "Is the old ape leaving through the east gate of the town?"

Qi Jingchun raised a hand and gently pressed it down twice, smiling, "Let me finish. Liu Xianyang has survived."

The youth's body tensed. He cautiously asked, "Mr. Qi, does this mean Liu Xianyang won't die?"

Qi Jingchun nodded. "Someone intervened to help. Liu Xianyang's life is no longer in danger, without a doubt. However, the bad news is that his body suffered severe injuries. He may not be able to move as freely as before."

Chen Ping'an grinned.

For the past few days, the youth's mind had been like a bowstring drawn to its fullest extent, never finding a moment of relief. Hearing that Liu Xianyang had survived, the release caused him to fall backwards, completely unconscious.

Ning Yao quickly caught the youth.

Qi Jingchun explained, "Chen Ping'an had his spiritual aperture forcibly opened by Cai Jinjian of Cloud Glow Mountain, shattering the gateway to his spirit. His vital essence has been constantly leaking outwards. Then, Liu Xianyang happened to be in danger at this time, forcing him to desperately ignite his potential. It was a case of 'a broken jar is beyond repair'. Originally, he had about half a year of life left, but now, I estimate it's at most ten days."

This meant that from the alleyway in Mud Bottle Lane to the rooftops of the town, to the mountain streams, and finally to this desolate wilderness, each run had significantly shortened his lifespan. The youth was well aware of this.

Ning Yao asked, "Mr. Qi, just tell me, how can Chen Ping'an be saved!"

Qi Jingchun sighed inwardly.

This was precisely the mystery of the Daoist heart.

It wasn't that the girl had no feelings for Chen Ping'an; otherwise, they wouldn't have fought side-by-side to this point.

Normally, upon hearing such terrible news, one would naturally experience a process of shock, grief, and sympathy, varying in speed, duration, and intensity.

But Ning Yao displayed none of that.

She immediately jumped to her desired "outcome": How can I save him?

In worldly cultivation, the cultivation of strength is visible, step-by-step, requiring only to move upwards. The differences lie only in the size of each step. Cultivating the heart, however, is ethereal, facing all directions, with paths seemingly leading to the Great Dao, yet also appearing to be unorthodox. No one can offer guidance. In the matter of cultivating the heart, those with a Daoist heart accomplish it in a single bound.

Therefore, the girl could openly and with clear eyes gaze at the straw sandal-wearing youth and directly ask if he liked her.

Qi Jingchun recalled the young Daoist with the lotus crown atop his head, his mood growing heavier.

Ning Yao crouched down, gently hoisting Chen Ping'an onto her back. She asked, "Mr. Qi, tell me, but I'll say beforehand, I think the old shopkeeper of the Yang family is terrible at healing. Chen Ping'an knows an old man in a shop who's pretty skilled."

Qi Jingchun looked at the earnest girl and asked a strange question, "In this world, what act is the most contrary to nature, the most against the current?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Ning Yao loudly declared, "One person, one sword, slaughtering all demons!"

Qi Jingchun couldn't help but laugh, a bit exasperated. "It's cultivation."

Ning Yao thought carefully. "Actually, it's the same."

Qi Jingchun pointed to their previous location and then to another, "The Sword Furnace can nourish the body, and the Millennium Pool can strengthen the spirit. However, for Chen Ping'an, it's at most enough to barely maintain a balance, and with luck, perhaps even a small surplus. So, when he wakes up, please tell him that from now on, when he practices his fists, even if he doesn't pursue anything else, if only to survive, he must put in the hard work."

Ning Yao sighed in relief. Actually, she wasn't much better off than Chen Ping'an, but her foundation was far stronger, preventing her from fainting. "Mr. Qi, should I take Chen Ping'an back to Mud Bottle Lane to recuperate? Or should we go check on Liu Xianyang first?"

Qi Jingchun smiled, "Now, either is fine."

Ning Yao pondered for a moment. "This guy on my back definitely wants to see Liu Xianyang the moment he opens his eyes. So, I'll go to Master Ruan's place then."

Qi Jingchun nodded. "I'll accompany you for a while."

The two walked side-by-side.

A spring breeze caressed their faces, the scholar with his hands behind his back, the girl carrying the youth on her back.Ning Yao walked along, suddenly asking, "Mr. Qi, as the master of this small blessed land, have you ever taken advantage of your position to accept a few disciples with good talent?"

Qi Jingchun smiled and shook his head. "No, I only took in a book boy who isn't really a disciple. I avoided it before to avoid suspicion, but looking back now, I did miss out on some good seedlings."

Ning Yao asked again, "Mr. Qi, do you know everything that happens here?"

Qi Jingchun laughed, "Anything I want to know, I can know. However, it's not necessarily the complete truth. After all, some things can change drastically with the slightest difference."

Qi Jingchun didn't say that since leaving the small town, he had lost the divine power of "a clear mind reflecting the heavens and earth."

Because someone had taken away the Zhen Gui jade tablet, a token left in the small town by one of the Confucian sages, and also one of the key nodes of the great formation.

Ning Yao hesitated, but still couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Qi, what realm are you at now? Have you reached the Upper Five Realms? Also, are you truly invincible in this realm since you are the guardian of this land? Of course, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, I'm just asking."

As expected, Qi Jingchun didn't answer.

The girl rolled her eyes and stopped talking.

Qi Jingchun intentionally slowed his pace and turned to look back.

The young man blinked.

The middle-aged man blinked too.

Qi Jingchun smiled knowingly and imperceptibly quickened his pace.

A gentleman helps others achieve their goals.

After walking together for a long distance, Qi Jingchun stopped and smiled, "I won't see you off any further."

Standing there, the middle-aged Confucian scholar with frosty temples watched the figures gradually disappear into the distance, silent.

He took a step forward.

Instantly, Qi Jingchun arrived near the Dragon Slaying Platform.

Each Confucian sage has a unique defining character, standing above all others.

Anyone in the world, as long as they write, use, or even think of this character, adds a trace of Taoist cultivation to that Confucian sage, accumulating bit by bit, like water dripping on stone.

Qi Jingchun is an exception.

It's not that he doesn't have one, but that he has two.

And the meaning of these characters is extremely profound, the realm extremely far-reaching.

Quiet. Peaceful mind, gained understanding.

Spring. The world welcomes spring.

That's why he was exiled to this small realm, completely isolated from the outside world.

Although Qi Jingchun is just one of the mountain masters of the Confucian academies, he cannot be treated as ordinary.

This seemingly weak scholar, who repeatedly faced the provocations and humiliations of the Moving Mountain Ape of Zhengyang Mountain without any reaction, closed his eyes, silently contemplated the third stroke of the character "Quiet", then extended his joined fingers and lightly stroked downwards in the air.

The indestructible Dragon Slaying Platform was instantly cleaved in half.

Qi Jingchun waved his sleeve, and the two neat stone blocks, one landed in Ruan Qiong's blacksmith shop, and the other appeared in a small house in Mud Bottle Lane.

After doing all this, Qi Jingchun fell into deep thought, like a Go master engaged in a long calculation. Then he stood in the dense rain, which gradually turned into a downpour with lightning and thunder, yet Qi Jingchun still didn't come back to his senses.

Qi Jingchun, who had always been called "Teacher" by the people of the small town, was thinking about his own teacher.