Unsheathed

Yu Juanfu was a very pragmatic woman, and she graciously accepted her defeat without any gripes or complaints. Even as she was about to depart, she still didn’t forget to bid Chen Ping’an farewell.

She still hadn’t given up hope on a third sparring match against Chen Ping’an.

I am simply the inferior martial artist right now, so the only thing I can do is grow stronger!

Cao Ci had told her that after suffering a single defeat at Chen Ping’an’s hands, it would be very difficult for her to catch up to him, but she was unconvinced.

The talismanic boat descended onto the city wall, and its four passengers disembarked.

All of the swordsmen quickly dispersed, and many of them were cursing loudly to express their distaste. While Chen Ping’an had put on a good show, the fact of the matter was that everyone had been screwed out of their money, and the thought of having to buy wine on credit for the foreseeable future was certainly not very appealing.

Chen Ping’an unrolled his sleeves and put on his boots, then extended a salute toward Zhong Qiu, who returned the salute and greeted Chen Ping’an as mountain master.

Prior to departing from the Lotus Root Blessed Land, Zhong Qiu had already resigned from his position as imperial preceptor. Now that he had arrived on the Sword Qi Great Wall, he was planning to indulge himself and focus on nothing but being a pure martial artist. Thankfully, this place was teeming with sword qi that he could use to hone his fist intent. Perhaps someday, he would be reunited with Yu Zhenyi.

By then, he would no longer be the imperial preceptor, and Yu Zhenyi would have most likely already become an accomplished cultivator. There was no way that the two of them would be able to reason with one another through words, so Zhong Qiu would just have to challenge Yu Zhenyi’s immortal techniques with his fists.

Chen Ping’an turned to Pei Qian with a smile and asked, ”Did you see and experience much on this journey? Have you gotten in the way of Mr. Zhong’s studies and travels at all?”

Pei Qian nodded in response, then hurriedly began shaking her head vigorously.

Master seems to have grown a little taller again. If he keeps growing like this, isn’t he eventually going to become even taller than Downtrodden Mountain and Cloud Drape Mountain? Is he going to end up taller than this Sword Qi Great Wall?

Chen Ping’an patted Pei Qian on the head, and she suddenly yelped and almost fell over.

”I don’t know why, Master, but my legs just suddenly become really wobbly from time to time,” she explained with slightly furrowed brows. ”But it’s not a big deal, so you don’t have to worry about me, Master. It’s just a leg injury, so it doesn’t interfere with my fist technique training with the old chef, and it’s certainly not getting in the way of my transcriptions.”

Pei Qian got up onto the tips of her toes, then whispered into Chen Ping’an’s ear, ”Nuanshu and Mili tell me that I sleepwalk very often, so maybe I bumped into a wall or table or something and hurt my leg while I was asleep.”

”I see,” Chen Ping’an mused with an earnest expression.

Pei Qian was extremely relieved.

I knew it! This is a watertight excuse! I’m saved!

However, her entire body then instantly stiffened as she caught sight of someone that she had been dreading to see.

Qi Jinglong was slowly approaching with Bai Shou, and the latter was also far from pleased to see Pei Qian. He had been praying daily on the Sword Qi Great Wall to whatever deities would listen that he wouldn’t have to meet Pei Qian again, but his prayers had clearly fallen upon deaf ears.

”When are you two going to have your next sparring match? It’s not every day that you get to meet each other, so why not make it today?” Chen Ping’an suggested.

Pei Qian’s eyes instantly lit up, and Bai Shou was also very relieved.

The two of them exchanged a glance with each other, and that was enough for an unspoken agreement to take shape between them.

Bai Shou cleared his throat, then said, ”There’s no need for a sparring match; a debate will suffice.”

”Indeed,” Pei Qian agreed. ”Bai Shou is Mr. Liu’s prized disciple and a cultivator, while I am Master’s first-ever disciple and a pure martial artist, so it’s simply pointless for both of us to spar with each other. Besides, I’ve only been training in martial arts for a very short time, and my fist techniques are still not up to scratch. Right now, I can only spar with the old chef, and I don’t dare to challenge anyone else. If we’re going to spar, then let’s wait until I’ve mastered my Deranged Demon Sword Techniques first.”

”But even after you master those sword techniques, you’re still going to be a sword-wielding pure martial artist, not a swordsman!” Bai Shou yelled. ”You’re just going to keep using that excuse to refuse to spar with me!”

Pei Qian was furious.

What’s that supposed to mean? Are you looking down on my sword techniques? In that case, you’re looking down on me, and if you’re looking down on me, then you’re looking down on my master!

With that in mind, she slammed her hiking pole into the ground and declared, ”Fine! You wanna spar? Let’s do it right here, right now!”

Chen Ping’an flicked her on the back of the head, then reprimanded, ”A pure martial artist must strive only for self-improvement, as opposed to getting swept up in irrational conflicts driven by emotion. This is a rather broad principle, so if you don’t understand it, then just remember what I said for now and reflect on it in the future.”

”But he’s looking down on sword-wielding pure martial artists, Master!” Pei Qian argued with a pitiable expression. ”It doesn’t matter if he looks down on me, but you’re a sword-wielding pure martial artist as well, so that means he’s also looking down on you, and I can’t accept that!”

Bai Shou was completely bewildered by the mental leaps that Pei Qian had taken to reach this conclusion, and he was struck by the urge to slap himself.

Pei Qian’s fist intent began to flow like a turbulent river, as if countless calm, flowing streams had abruptly come together to form a mighty waterfall crashing down from the heavens.

”What do you think you’re doing?” Chen Ping’an asked as he raised an eyebrow.

Pei Qian’s fist intent instantly dissipated as she lowered her head in a sullen manner. The disciple had no choice but to listen to the master.

The one who had taken after Cui Cheng’s fist techniques the most was Pei Qian, not Chen Ping’an.

At the very least, Chen Ping’an was of this opinion. The fist intent that she had inherited from Cui Cheng was extremely heavy, and she had been progressing extremely quickly in her martial arts cultivation base. Chen Ping’an was naturally very pleased to see this, but also a little concerned for her.

Bai Shou was astonished by what he was seeing.

If I were as respectful to my master as Pei Qian is to hers, Liu Jinglong would surely be moved to the point of tears!

”Bai Shou is a friend of ours,” Chen Ping’an said with a serious expression. ”I don’t care if you play around with him from time to time, but you can’t issue such a serious challenge to him just because he said some things that weren’t to your liking! What if you’re out traveling the world in the future, and you overhear someone speaking badly of Downtrodden Mountain and me? Are you going to immediately resort to violence?

“If you grow accustomed to conveying your principles through your fists instead of your words, then you’re eventually going to land yourself in trouble. There are countless formidable cultivators and martial artists under the heavens. If you’re always so quick to raise your fists, then you’re inevitably going to meet your match someday. Sure, perhaps I can intervene and bail you out, but will I always be able to do so with a clear conscience?”

Bai Shou’s mind had gone completely blank, and he felt more screwed than ever.

Pei Qian hung her head in shame.

After a brief silence, Cui Dongshan smiled and suggested, ”Mr. Liu, Mr. Zhong, how about we take a walk together?”

Everyone knew what Cui Dongshan’s intentions were, and they promptly departed to give some privacy to the reunited master-and-disciple duo.

”I’ve spoken my mind; it’s now time for you to speak yours,” Chen Ping’an said. ”I want to hear what you truly think. As long as you’re sincere and earnest with me, I won’t be angry regardless of whether what you say is right or wrong.”

Pei Qian remained silent as she clutched her hiking pole tightly in a white-knuckled grip.

”In the past, I would’ve only told you these things in private instead of scolding you in front of Cui Dongshan and the others, but right now, you are a direct disciple of the Downtrodden Mountain ancestral hall, and I’m barely ever with you. You’ve grown up quite a bit, and you’ve also begun practicing martial arts, so I need to hold you to higher standards. If I try to look after your feelings and only speak to you in private, perhaps you won’t take my words to heart.

“I want you to remember my teachings, even if it means that you harbor resentment toward me for embarrassing you in front of other people. As your master, it is my duty to have these hard conversations with you and set you on the right path. I’m not preaching all of these annoying rules and principles to you to make you second-guess yourself at every turn.

“Instead, I want you to think things through more thoroughly, and once you do, you’ll be able to use your fists without any inhibitions. As long as you’ve thought things through and do everything that you do for good reason, I’d be more than happy to stand up for you if you encounter any trouble. After all, as your master, I have an obligation to also be your Dao guardian.

“My wish is for all of my disciples and students to be able to carry themselves with dignity and aplomb and not have to be taught by others how to be decent human beings. As long as they can fulfill that criterion, it doesn’t matter to me if they’re inferior to others in fist techniques, academic prowess, and immortal abilities.”

Pei Qian was already weeping inconsolably as she clutched her beloved hiking pole tightly to her chest.

She wiped her hands back and forth across her face, but the tears refused to dry, so she gave up and raised her head to look up at Chen Ping’an as she sobbed, ”Master, I said what I did just now because I felt like as long as Bai Shou treated our sparring match seriously, there’s no way I could possibly win. However, I really was very angry at him, so even if I had no chance at victory, I had to challenge him nevertheless! I am Master’s first-ever disciple, and I won’t allow him to look down on you!”

”I see,” Chen Ping’an mused as he scratched his head. ”In that case, I was wrong. I apologize.”

Chen Ping’an leaned down as he spoke to wipe the tears from Pei Qian’s eyes.

Pei Qian was a little embarrassed by the tears and snot flowing down her face, and she hurriedly turned away. By the time she turned back to face Chen Ping’an, a vibrant smile had already appeared on her face.

”How could you possibly be wrong, Master? You should take back your apology.”

”Such a cheeky little girl you are,” Chen Ping’an sighed as he pinched her cheek.

Just now, he was almost unable to suppress the urge to pull out his Sword Nurturing Gourd for a drink, but he didn’t want to drink anymore.

”Ideally, you want to think about how much force you want to put behind your punches before you actually throw them. Only then can you ensure that you’re in control of your fists and not just blindly following them. If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong, and I’m willing to sincerely apologize to you.

“Having said that, what I said to you still stands, and I hope you can do your best to remember as much of it as possible. If there are some things that you can’t figure out, or you feel like what I’ve said is wrong, then tell me your thoughts. I promise you that I won’t feel offended or rebuked as some other people would.”

”Indeed, some people are quick to take offense at everything, but my master is far beyond them,” Pei Qian praised.

Chen Ping’an gave her a knock on the head.

Pei Qian immediately began stumbling around as if she were drunk or sleepwalking, and she said in a dazed voice, ”Such a powerful knock to the head! Just a single strike has completely robbed me of my sense of direction! Where am I? Is this Downtrodden Mountain? Who could be capable of delivering such an almighty blow? How incredibly fortunate would someone be if they could have such a mighty master? If someone could have the honor of being their first-ever disciple, they would surely be the most blessed person under the heavens!”

Chen Ping’an removed his Sword Nurturing Gourd from his waist before taking a sip of wine, and he refrained from giving her another knock on the head.

Perhaps in a few more years, once Pei Qian grew up into a young woman, even as her master, it would no longer be appropriate for him to knock her on the head like a child anymore, and that was a rather sobering thought for him.

With that in mind, Chen Ping’an gave Pei Qian another knock on the head, and she didn’t dare to fool around any longer.

She reached up to rub her head while walking alongside Chen Ping’an, then smiled and said, ”Master, I read in a book that someone who has their head stroked by an immortal will attain unmatched wisdom. What if I suddenly become enlightened after all these knocks to the head? If that happens, I’ll have to simultaneously train fist techniques, sword techniques, and immortal techniques while also making transcriptions and looking after the business on Dragon Riding Alley! It’ll be too much for me to do all at once!”

”For cultivators, it seems like aptitude is the only important factor, so it can feel like it’s just a matter of luck, but in reality, it’s the most mentally demanding,” Chen Ping’an said with a smile. ”Those who possess insufficient mental fortitude can master all of the immortal techniques under the heavens, but their foundation will still be as unstable as a drifting lily pad.”

Pei Qian nodded vigorously as she replied, ”Master, your cultivation base as a cultivator is still not that high for now, but you already possess the foresight of at least an Ascension Tier cultivator!”

”How do you know that? Are you already at the Ascension Tier?” Chen Ping’an asked with a smile.

”The height of my cultivation base has nothing to do with this,” Pei Qian said. ”Besides, right now, I’m standing atop the tallest city walls under the heavens, so the words that I speak right now will also be loftier as a result.”

”What nonsense are you spouting now?” Chen Ping’an sighed before taking a sip of wine.

All of a sudden, he smiled and said, ”If we measure up from the ground, then these walls are probably the tallest under the heavens, but if we’re talking about absolute height irrespective of whether we’re measuring from the ground or not, then the White Jade Capital on the Middle Earth Divine Continent might be a bit taller.

“As for exactly how tall the Heavenly World’s White Jade Capital is, there are no records of its height in books, and I haven’t had a chance to ask anyone, so it’s hard to say whether it’s taller than the Sword Qi Great Wall or not. If I get the chance, I’ll go and see it for myself.”

”Is this the White Jade Capital that the one in the capital of the Great Li Empire is meant to be a replica of?” Pei Qian asked. ”Why would you go there, Master? It’s really far away. I heard from the big white goose that it’s not somewhere that you can just visit and explore as you please, like Stalactite Mountain or the Sword Qi Great Wall.

“The big white goose told me that he once had the chance to go to the Heavenly World through his own abilities, but I don’t believe him. How could he possibly have already been there when his teacher hasn’t gone there yet? I keep telling him that he needs to stop bragging and that it’s a bad habit, but he won’t listen to me, so please talk to him about it when you get the chance.

“Can you tell me why you want to go somewhere so far away, Master? I heard that the White Jade Capital is full of Daoist priests and Daoist nuns, so it’s going to be really boring for you if you go there on your own without me by your side.”

”It’s not like I’m going there for sightseeing,” Chen Ping’an chuckled.

”Are you going there to look for someone then?” Pei Qian asked.

”I guess you can say that,” Chen Ping’an replied with a nod.

”Who is so insolent that they’re making you go look for them? They should be coming to Downtrodden Mountain to see you!” Pei Qian snapped.

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but chuckle with amusement.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he said, ”Right now, I have two wishes that I’ve never told anyone about. I may not be able to fulfill either of those two wishes in this lifetime, but I’m never going to stop trying.”

”Go ahead, Master! I’m listening!” Pei Qian prompted after making a show of rubbing her head vigorously.

”I’ll tell you when I’m about to set off on another long journey,” Chen Ping’an said with a shake of his head. ”It wouldn’t be appropriate to state overly grand goals too soon.”

”In that case, I’ll just have to wait two or three years,” Pei Qian sighed.

”I may not even be able to accomplish those goals in two to three centuries, perhaps even two to three millennia, if I’m even able to live that long, that is,” Chen Ping’an mused.

The chances were extremely slim indeed, but it wasn’t entirely out of the question.