Unsheathed

Late in the night, Chen Ping’an retrieved his calligraphy brush and some paper and recorded the names and birthplaces of the military officer as well as his six hundred or so soldiers, saying that a friend of his would hold two Heavenly Worship Ceremonies and Liberation Rites of Water and Land in the future. At that time, he would try to include their names among those who were being honored.

While Chen Ping’an was completing this task, Zeng Ye opened the door of the main hall following the completion of his cultivation session, providing quite a lot of help to Chen Ping’an and the ten or so yin entities. Chen Ping’an was naturally fluent in the official dialect of the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, and he wasn’t unfamiliar with the official dialect of the Luminous Vermilion Empire used by the cultivators and commoners in Bamboo Scroll Lake either. However, he was given quite a headache when dealing with the accent of the Stone Brush Nation. Fortunately, Zeng Ye arrived in a timely manner and resolved the communication issues between Chen Ping’an and the yin entities.

They were busy with the task all the way until the roosters crowed in the morning, and it was only then that Chen Ping’an finished recording all of the names and birthplaces of the six hundred or so yin entities.

Yin entities didn’t necessarily need to retreat when the sun rose and the roosters started to crow, and some ghosts with powerful yin energy could travel through the living world without any issues even when it was day. Of course, this was as long as they avoided the blazing sun of noon. The notion of yin entities retreating to rest when the roosters crowed was similar to the notion of humans waking up to work in the morning — this was nothing more than nature.

When Chen Ping’an finished writing, the deceased military officer with the surname Wei said that the time for farewell was imminent, so he wanted to go for a stroll outside the Daoist enforcer temple with Chen Ping’an. Chen Ping’an naturally wouldn’t turn down his request.

When the two of them walked past the front hall and exited the temple, the military officer from the Stone Brush Nation chuckled softly and asked, “Esteemed Immortal Chen, are you an official immortal from another nation? Or else you wouldn’t be so unfamiliar with the official dialect of this place.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and replied, “I come from the north.”

The military officer subconsciously rubbed his neck and chuckled, “It doesn’t matter even if you’re from the Great Li Empire. I have to concede that the heavy cavalry from the Great Li Empire is… truly very powerful. There was no need for the accompanying cultivators to participate in the battles, with one side thinking it was unnecessary and one side not daring to seek death.

“Our armies were almost equal in size, yet the battles were completely one-sided. It was only because the heavy cavalry of the Great Li Empire dismounted that the battles between our armies were still relatively intense. Even so, the soldiers of the Stone Brush Nation were no match for their foes. We felt extremely stifled and helpless, and it was because of this that we died with regret and became yin entities. In saying this, we do somewhat acknowledge the strength of our enemies and accept our defeat.”

Chen Ping’an nodded in response.

The military officer stopped walking and said, “I won’t be nosy and ask anything else, but I’m not that naive either. I know that Esteemed Immortal Chen is actually the one who’s going to perform the Heavenly Worship Ceremonies and the Liberation Rites of Water and Land, so…”

The military officer released his hand from the hilt of his saber and shifted his armor slightly, preparing to kneel on a single knee to express his gratitude toward Chen Ping’an. He had to thank this esteemed immortal on behalf of his brothers.

Chen Ping’an unexpectedly stepped forward and held the military officer’s arms, preventing him from kneeling no matter what.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “There’s no need to do this. I don’t deserve such a grand show of respect.”

The military officer had no option but to begrudgingly accept this, joking, “Esteemed Immortal Chen, why are you so polite? Perhaps you want me to die from shame once more?”

“I wouldn’t dare to,” Chen Ping’an replied with a shake of his head.

Chen Ping’an held his hands inside his opposite sleeves, gazing into the distance where the faint light of day was gradually replacing the receding darkness of night. His voice was quiet as he said, “General Wei is actually far more impressive than me. You understood how to act correctly right from the very beginning, and this is a reflection of your genuine care for your companions. I’m not as swift and resolute as General Wei, and not only does this tire me out, but it even affects those around me and tires them out as well.”

The military officer yin entity remained silent for a moment before asking, “Why don’t you speak up when you feel tired? Is one not allowed to speak when one feels dissatisfied? And what is this about affecting those around you and causing them to feel tired as well? Esteemed Immortal Chen, even though I’m an outsider, I’ve experienced many ups and downs in my life, and I can say that it truly wasn’t an easy life. I felt especially terrible when turning my saber toward my companions who lost their minds, and this was a feeling worse than being struck by the sabers of the Great Li Empire’s heavy cavalry.

“When I felt so pained that I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore, I privately called over a few of my brothers and gave them a good beating. Otherwise, I would have gone insane a long time ago, and I might have turned into a malicious ghost before my other brothers lost their minds. At that time, I would have been the one bringing harm to the world. So, Esteemed Immortal Chen, you shouldn’t think like this.”

Chen Ping’an carefully ruminated over this before smiling and saying, “Thank you, I feel much better after hearing General Wei’s words.”

Military Officer Wei laughed heartily and replied, “I’m not a general or whatnot, and I was simply a martial artist and a sixth-rank official. In fact, I was only an honorary official. However, the generals who wielded genuine power and influence all fled or shirked from battle, and it was because of this that I ended up leading so many brothers…”

Upon saying this, he lightly stomped on the accumulated snow and remarked, “It was nothing but charging to death. There was nothing heroic about it, and it was simply a vexing matter.”

Chen Ping’an recalled something, and he retrieved a handful of snowflake coins and said, “These are immortal coins from the mountains, and you and your companions can absorb its spiritual energy to maintain your sanity. This is the least valuable type of immortal coin.”

Military Officer Wei hesitated for a moment before reaching over to accept the coins, saying in amusement, “Esteemed Immortal Chen can give us some more — I won’t complain about the immortal coins being too heavy. I like money very much, and this remains the same in both life and death. After all, isn’t silver the lightest thing in the world?”

Chen Ping’an hurriedly waved his hands and chuckled, “I’m a bookkeeper now, so I’m extremely shrewd when it comes to making deals like these. I also know all of your names and birthplaces, so I’m very clear on how many immortal coins are needed to help you travel home.”

Military Officer Wei laughed heartily upon hearing this.

How interesting!

There actually existed a so-called businessman who was afraid of other people not understanding his shrewdness?

“Since General Wei’s birthplace is at the northern border of the Stone Brush Nation, are you planning to return north by yourself once you’ve bid farewell to all of your brothers?” Chen Ping’an asked.

Military Officer Wei was only in his early thirties, and he shook his head and replied, “There’s no need for me to return. My parents passed away when I was young, and I don’t have a wife or any children either. Everyone I know in my hometown is already dead. The emperor started to mobilize a significant number of troops the year before last, and apart from the northern border army that was extremely tough to begin with, several armies that were brave and capable were moved to the north as well.

“As for the self-ruling forces in the south such as the Huang Clan, they were also summoned by the emperor but they refused to comply, essentially starting a rebellion and viciously back-stabbing everyone else. In fact, I’m very well aware that the Stone Brush Nation’s spine has already been utterly shattered by the Great Li Empire.”

“If General Wei is willing to, you can travel to Bamboo Scroll Lake’s Cloud Pagoda City once you finish dealing with your matters,” Chen Ping’an said slowly. “You can look for an eighth tier sword cultivator called Du Shehu, and if he isn’t in the city, then you can look for Plum Lane’s Liu Clan and ask their clan leader to introduce and take you to Cloud Pagoda City.

“Regardless of whether you go through Du Shehu or the Liu Clan, someone from Cyan Gorge Island will naturally welcome you if you tell them that you’re Chen Ping’an’s friend. You can settle down near the mountain entrance of Cyan Gorge Island and temporarily stay at Zeng Ye’s place first. You can wait for us to return there. If General Wei is willing to do this, I can write a letter for you and also give you a token.”

Military Officer Wei smiled and asked, “Perhaps Esteemed Immortal Chen or one of your friends is adept in the Dao of ghosts? Perhaps you want to raise me into a ghost general? It’s only because Esteemed Immortal Chen is a great benefactor of mine that I’m asking this question. Otherwise, I wouldn’t say anything at all and would simply agree on the surface. Afterward, I would wander around everywhere but refuse to go to Bamboo Scroll Lake.

“Please forgive me for being frank, Esteemed Immortal Chen. Truth be told, I have absolutely no interest in fighting anymore. If it’s possible, I would rather do nothing and wait to disappear bit by bit. I would accept my fate. I can only hope to repay Esteemed Immortal Chen’s great benevolence in my next life.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and replied, “Even though I know some secret techniques pertaining to the Dao of ghosts and possess two spirit tools capable of housing ghosts and yin entities, my hope is not to transform General Wei into a tool of mine. Instead, I’m simply unwilling to see General Wei disappear from the world just like this.

“If you believe in me and decide to go to Cyan Gorge Island, you’re free to decide whether you stay or leave in the future. In fact, I won’t agree even if General Wei voluntarily asks to become a ghost general. This is both a humiliating request and a self-humiliating ask.”

Military Officer Wei cupped his fists and said, “Your reassurance puts my mind at ease. Living a day longer is a day longer. As for how many of Esteemed Immortal Chen’s immortal coins I spend during this time, let me make that shameless promise again. I can only hope to repay you in my next life! If I don’t get the opportunity to repay you, then we can only say that Esteemed Immortal Chen still has room to improve as a bookkeeper!”

Chen Ping’an grabbed his Sword Nurturing Gourd and took a swig of wine.

This was a rare case where Chen Ping’an was drinking because he wanted to, not because he needed to refresh himself and lift his spirits.

Chen Ping’an wrote a letter after returning to the Daoist enforcer temple, and he also handed a Yang Energy Illumination Talisman and a small bamboo scroll made from a length of purple bamboo to Military Officer Wei. In the end, Chen Ping’an secretly handed him a lesser heat coin as well.

It was already morning when Chen Ping’an finished doing all this.

All of the yin entities temporarily retreated to rest in the front hall of the Daoist enforcer temple.

Chen Ping’an returned to the main hall where he was greeted by Zeng Ye who had already finished packing everything and was carrying the bamboo case and ready to leave.

Chen Ping’an cupped his fists at the painted statue of the deity and apologized in a quiet voice, “The two of us stayed the night here, and that group of yin entities is also seeking shelter in the front hall — sorry for disturbing you.”

Zeng Ye had no option but to cup his fists and apologize as well.

They exited the main hall, and when they walked past the front hall, Military Officer Wei simply cupped his fists to bid them farewell. He didn’t open his mouth to say anything else.

Chen Ping’an and Zeng Ye continued to travel north after leaving the Daoist enforcer temple. As they trudged through the snowy lands, Zeng Ye asked in a quiet voice, “Mr. Chen, can I ask you a question?”

Chen Ping’an was bending down and casually scooping up some snow to wash his face at this moment, and he replied with a smile, “Go ahead.”

“Mr. Chen, is there any need for you to spend so much money time and time again? Especially when you don’t need to?” Zeng Ye asked. “Back at Thatch Moon Island, my master and everyone else all said that cultivators like us burn through the most silver, so if we don’t understand how to be frugal regarding small matters, then we’re destined to never achieve great things.”

“Then do you think I’m destined to achieve great things?” Chen Ping’an asked with a smile.

Zeng Ye scratched his head and replied, “Of course! Mr. Chen is already a paramount cultivator!”

“Then doesn’t that explain everything? I’m already a paramount cultivator in your eyes, so it doesn’t matter too much if I occasionally don’t act frugal,” Chen Ping’an said.

Zeng Ye felt like Mr. Chen was always honest with other people, yet when it came to this matter, Mr. Chen was purposely not explaining things thoroughly. However, Zeng Ye was too shy to dig any deeper seeing that Mr. Chen was unwilling to go into more detail.

“We stayed at a Daoist enforcer temple last night, so are you aware of the origin of Daoist enforcers as well as the responsibilities that these deities carry?” Chen Ping’an asked with emotion.

Zeng Ye shook his head and replied, “I’ve only heard my master mention that they’re deities of the Daoist Sect who have an even longer history than mountain deities and water deities.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Then you should have heard of the old saying, ‘There are gods in the heavens above’, right? Daoist enforcers used to inspect the merits and faults of all people in the world. Even though this saying is slightly dated now, I still feel like believing it is much better than not believing it. This goes for both the common people and so-called cultivators like us. I feel like it’s not a good thing if we’re unafraid of heaven and earth and only afraid of evil people and evil ghosts. However, this is only my opinion, so you don’t need to dwell on it too much, Zeng Ye.”

Zeng Ye nodded and replied, “Then I’ll simply commit it to memory first. Perhaps it will prove useful one day.”

Chen Ping’an turned around and glanced at Zeng Ye, smiling as he did so.

Zeng Ye felt slightly embarrassed, and he asked, “Mr. Chen, did I say something wrong again?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, slowly walking forward and replying, “No, what you said was very correct. Some principles are used for the sake of staying alive and for the sake of bettering our lives. Meanwhile, some other principles are used for the sake of making ourselves feel at ease. As for which principles are better and more suitable for the current moment, this is dependent on each person’s unique circumstances and state of mind. At any rate, I feel like all of these principles are useful. You’ll also learn many principles both big and small in the future, so take them out and ponder over them carefully whenever you encounter any issues. Only after doing this should you make a decision.”

“Mr. Chen knows so many principles,” Zeng Ye said sincerely.

Chen Ping’an smiled and warned, “You can give it a rest with such flattery in the future. There’s no shortage of obsequious people around your Mr. Chen.”

Carrying the large bamboo case on his back, Zeng Ye turned around slightly and replied with a hearty laugh, “But I’m the only one accompanying Mr. Chen right now, so I need to say more words of sincere flattery, lest Mr. Chen feel uncomfortable after not hearing praise for too long.”

Chen Ping’an smiled widely, suddenly squatting down and deftly building a palm-sized snowman before placing it on top of Zeng Ye’s bamboo case. The tall young boy was extremely baffled.

Chen Ping’an clapped his hands and explained, “I’m going to perform an elementary fist stance in a moment, a very simple one where I simply throw a punch every six steps. You can copy my movements and learn the fist stance, but you have to guarantee that the small snowman doesn’t fall off your bamboo case. I’ll teach you three times, and I want you to perform this fist stance while we’re traveling to our destinations. I won’t force you to perform it, and you don’t have to force yourself either. Just treat it as a way to relieve your boredom.”

After saying this, Chen Ping’an performed walking meditation three times for Zeng Ye. The young boy watched attentively, with his eyes laser-focused as he remembered each and every one of Chen Ping’an’s footsteps and punches.

Chen Ping’an saw all of this, and he told Zeng Ye to give the fist stance a try himself.

Zeng Ye’s movements were stable and accurate, and he seemingly managed to perform the fist stance even better than Chen Ping’an’s first attempt in Clay Vase Alley.

However, Chen Ping’an sighed in his mind instead. Zeng Ye was able to capture the movements but not the essence of the fist stance, meaning that it would take him many years to understand and master the basics.

Zeng Ye’s ability to comprehend fist techniques was far inferior to the skinny and fragile little boy who had held a hatchet and stood in front of Chen Ping’an in the city located in the Colorful Garment Nation’s Blusher Prefecture.

However, this wasn’t a pressing matter. Just like Chen Ping’an had said, performing this fist stance was simply a way for Zeng Ye to relieve his boredom and pass time, lest they have to stare at each other and walk in awkward silence as they traveled from place to place. After all, the Fox Skin Beauty Talismans couldn’t be retrieved and activated too often.

Moreover, Chen Ping’an was genuinely afraid of those female yin entities who were becoming increasingly lively and unrestrained in speech. So be it if they teased Zeng Ye, but why were they making bets in secret and coming over to awkwardly flirt with him as well? Were they not asking for embarrassment and humiliation? Just how many perilous dangers had Chen Ping’an overcome, and just how many huge events had he witnessed?

Zeng Ye was ultimately a Qi refiner who had been raised with more money than actual skills at Thatch Moon Island. Thus, he only managed to capture the surface-level form of the Mountain Shaking Guide’s walking meditation even though his physique was very strong. If Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything, then Zeng Ye would feel quite satisfied with himself, especially since the small snowman on his bamboo case remained straight and steady the entire time.