Chapter 238: The Spring Breeze Accompanies You for a Thousand Li

Chapter 238: The Spring Breeze Accompanies You for a Thousand Li

The pink Daoist robes of Liu Chicheng slowly fluttered in the light breeze. The supreme demonic cultivator from White Emperor City felt a rare sense of apprehension at this moment.

This didn't make any sense.

The wisps of spring wind had transformed into a figure beside Chen Ping'an. The figure was a Confucian scholar in azure robes and with white sideburns. He appeared intangible, and had a faint smile on his face.

Liu Chicheng observed his aura, and he determined that the scholar was already like a candle close to extinguishing. However, there was also an unexplainable feel about the scholar in addition to his feeble aura. If he were an Upper Five Tiers Qi refiner, he would most likely fail to understand the reason behind this. However, the great demon currently possessing Liu Chicheng's body had been a legitimate Immortal Tier cultivator during his peak —a 12th tier cultivator.

Before betraying the demonic orthodoxy, he had seen far too many capable people and peculiar individuals in White Emperor City, a place that existed among iridescent clouds under the descending water from Yellow River Small World. These people stood at the pinnacle of the world, and had caused him to feel restricted and reserved.

The more he couldn't see through a person, the more he wouldn't dare to underestimate them.

Qi Jingchun looked at Chen Ping'an and used his eyes to reassure the young boy. Standing beside the young boy, he smiled at Liu Chicheng and said, "I'm Qi Jingchun, a disciple of the Scholarly Sage and a previous mountain master of Mountain Cliff Academy."

The possessed Liu Chicheng was slightly dazed.

The person standing in front of him wasn't haughty or overbearing, and instead appeared very polite and pleasant. However, Scholarly Sage? Qi Jingchun? Mountain Cliff Academy? What were all of these random things? Perhaps two sagely Confucians had appeared during the thousand years he had been suppressed by Mount Longhu's Heavenly Master?

Moreover, the title of Scholarly Sage wasn't simple at all. The suffix of sage implied that he had the right to possess a godly statue and be honored in the Confucian temples. Not only this, but his godly statue would be near the very front. For example, this was the case with the Etiquette Sage and the Second Sage.

If anyone were to blame, it would be the half-assed scholar in Liu Chicheng. He was far too unknowledgeable, and he was always messing around with things not relevant to study. He wasn't interested in the situation of the continent. Instead, he liked to dream about using the pitiful amount of knowledge in his brain to woo women and enjoy wonderful times with them. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Of course, his attitude also played a big part in this. He felt like Eastern Treasured Vial Continent was a barbaric land, so there would definitely be few cultivators at the Upper Five Tiers even if they accumulated for another millennium. As such, he didn't need to pay any attention to this continent.

Qi Jingchun casually flicked his sleeve, instantly dispersing the restriction formed by Liu Chicheng.

Noble people treated others with sincerity.

With the restriction gone, the big-bearded martial artist and the young Daoist priest quickly noticed the peculiar situation over there. They exchanged a glance with each other. Was the person wearing pink Daoist robes the impoverished scholar, Liu Chicheng? Why did he have such a strange fetish of dressing like a woman as well? And who was that senior scholar in azure Confucian robes?

Liu Chicheng's eyes narrowed.

This Confucian scholar had actually shattered his illusion technique in an instant. Even though his cultivation base could only rival half an Unpolished Jade Tier cultivator at the moment, the profound mystical abilities passed down by the demonic orthodoxy of White Emperor City shouldn't have been so easy to shatter, even if his opponent were a Qi refiner at the actual Unpolished Jade Tier.

Zhang Shanfeng was just about to stand up and walk over to Chen Ping'an. However, Xu Yuanxia immediately grabbed him by the elbow and warned in a quiet voice, "Let's finish our discussion here. We definitely can't get involved with the matters over there. It's best for us to ignore them completely."

After saying this, the big-bearded martial artist saw the scholar in azure robes looking over and nodding at them with a smile.

Xu Yuanxia hurriedly cupped his fists in reply.

Qi Jingchun smiled and asked, "Senior, are you White Emperor City's Colored Glaze Pagoda Master?"

Liu Chicheng nodded and replied in amusement, "What, you've heard of my great name before? Is it infamous and already known by everyone in Middle Earth Divine Continent?"

Qi Jingchun shook his head and replied, "No, but I once traveled to the Yellow River and met the city lord of White Emperor City on the river bank. He mentioned you during our conversation."

Liu Chicheng suddenly let loose a torrent of abuse. "What absolute bullshit! My senior brother would never exit the city to greet others! With his temper, he'll never leave the city to welcome guests, even if they're Confucian sages personally heading over to visit him out of admiration. At most, he'll only show his face on the city wall amid the iridescent clouds. That would already be giving huge face to you Confucians. Yet, you're trying to tell me that you met him on the river bank? Good one, you stinky brat! You should have a bottom line even when you're bullshitting!"

Qi Jingchun couldn't help but chuckle and say, "The city lord even asked me to play three games of Go with him. However, I was busy at the time, and I needed to immediately return to a Confucian school. Because of this, I still owe him three games. Unexpectedly, I never had the opportunity to visit White Emperor City again after that. This is truly a regretful thing."

Liu Chicheng raised his hands and forcefully rubbed his cheeks. There were flames of fury burning in his chest. Even though he had broken off with his senior brother, with no more relationship between them to speak of, he still felt respect toward the city lord of White Emperor City in the depths of his heart. This was a very pure feeling of respect and reverence. Thus, he was considering whether he should resolutely attack and destroy the last wisp of this person's damaged soul.

Since the Colored Glaze Pagoda Master was unwilling to believe him, Qi Jingchun chose not to say anything else.

In reality, Qi Jingchun didn't have a bad impression of this great demon from White Emperor City who had returned to the world once again. The first time the great demon had developed killing intent was when the sword saint from Water Combing Nation had wanted to indiscriminately kill the young fox spirit.

Among the many scholars who rambled on about morals and virtue, there was no shortage of hypocrites who acted in a sanctimonious manner. Among the many demonic cultivators, there was also no shortage of people who were distinguished and admirable.

Qi Jingchun had traveled around the world with Senior Brother Zuo several times before, so he had naturally come across many such examples. Thus, he wouldn't categorize people in a rigid manner based on their background.

In any case, Qi Jingchun was well aware of the shattering colored glaze incident that had occurred in White Emperor City a thousand years back. Thus, he actually felt a sense of approval toward the great demon standing in front of him.

He patted Chen Ping'an's shoulder before smiling at Liu Chicheng and saying, "Chen Ping'an definitely can't become your disciple, Senior. However, if you are still willing to teach sword techniques, and if Chen Ping'an is still willing to learn, then I'd be happy for that to happen."

Liu Chicheng raised a finger and slowly wagged it left and right. "What situation are you in right now? Both of us are well aware of this. You're nothing more than a damaged wisp of soul formed by the condensation of some spring breeze. Even if you were a Confucian sage at the Upper Five Tiers while you were alive, that was then and this is now. Do you think you have the ability to haggle with me?"

Qi Jingchun glanced at the great demon dressed in a pink Daoist robe. He could see the killing intent radiating from Liu Chicheng. The great demon was itching to make a move.

Members of the demon tribe were innately more reckless than calm, and it was often the case that they would follow their natural instinct of violence when making decisions. This led to many tragedies in the world.

It wasn't unfounded for the Majestic World to impose so many restrictions on great demons. Someone had once proposed the notion that "members of a different species can't be trusted" and that "demons and fiends are short-sighted beings who delight in robbing life force from others, with only human teaching encouraging people to sacrifice themselves for just causes."

These opinions and remarks were extremely discriminatory toward non-human species.

In reality, many sages from the three Confucian schools had suggested hunting down all great demons at the Upper Five Tiers during the Etiquette Sage's reign over the Majestic World. The sages had wanted to throw these great demons into jail and completely eliminate all future threats. However, the Etiquette Sage ultimately hadn't adopted this suggestion.

Qi Jingchun sighed with slight emotion.

"Song Jixin's chosen path is becoming more and more distant from the Confucian orthodoxy, but this is simply the nature of worldly affairs. Each person has their own fate and destiny, and relationships like this can't be forced.

"Zhao Yao was obstructed by Cui Chan at the time, and the circumstances back then forced him to give up the seal with the characters 'the world welcomes spring.' I had already predicted this, so I told Zhao Yao not to be overly worried about the fate of the seal. Afterward, Zhao Yao came across another fated opportunity during his journey to another continent. However, a slight flaw developed in his mind because of this. As his junior uncle in name, perhaps you'll need to help him once in the future."

Chen Ping'an wanted to say something, but he couldn't help but hesitate.

Qi Jingchun smiled and said, "You want to say that you can't be regarded as my junior brother because you didn't agree to my teacher's proposal? That's alright. Even if you don't view the old scholar as your teacher, I still view you as my junior brother."

Chen Ping'an scratched his head before nodding and replying, "Okay!"

Qi Jingchun patted the young boy's shoulder and asked, "Do you feel tired after walking all the way to this stage?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head and replied, "No, it's been spectacular. Apart from practicing fist techniques, I've also been able to overcome all kinds of challenges and make all kinds of new friends like Brother Xu and Zhang Shanfeng. In addition to this, I've also come across many spirits, gods, and ghosts. So, I don't feel tired."

As if afraid that Mr. Qi wouldn't believe him, Chen Ping'an smiled and repeated, "I genuinely don't feel tired!"

Qi Jingchun nodded in response.

He knew that the young boy was being honest in a sense, and he was indeed truly excited.

However, how could he not feel tired after traveling such great distances and encountering so many troubles?

He practiced uninteresting fist techniques day after day, and his frail shoulders also had to carry the burden of other people's expectations as well as the difficulties of the world. It was even more important for him to guard against the sinister nature of people's hearts. Thus, how could he not feel tired when dealing with people and challenges, all of which were unpredictable in nature?

Chen Ping’an was carrying this heavy burden by himself, yet he was unwilling to have others worry about him.

After realizing that Mr. Qi already knew everything, Chen Ping'an immediately blurted out his encounter with the mysterious mountain crossing carp, his experiences in the Flowing Cloud Water Alley in Yellow Court Nation, his encounters with Shen Wen in the city god hall of Blusher Prefecture and the city god's admiration toward Mr. Qi, Wei Bo who had moved from Go Table Mountain to Cloud Drape Mountain in the small town, the female ghost in the wedding dress with a strange temperament, the beautiful bone ghosts, and of course, that man who wore a bamboo hat.

Chen Ping'an talked about A'Liang the most, and he also mentioned A'Liang's dazzling smile whenever the swordsman talked about Mr. Qi. His face would scrunch up into a smile, yet he would also appear the saddest at these moments.

In the end, Chen Ping'an chuckled and recounted how A'Liang had been punched down into the mortal world by a single punch from the Dao Ancestor's second disciple. After reuniting, A'Liang had told him not to worry about practicing the sword yet, as practicing fist techniques to the pinnacle stage was already the same as practicing the sword. Thus, he wasn't feeling too worried at the moment.

Qi Jingchun stood side-by-side with the young boy who was rambling on about his experiences. He smiled and asked, "Do you miss A'Liang a lot?"

Chen Ping'an looked up at the sky and murmured, "A'Liang will eventually return."

He then turned to Mr. Qi and asked, "Right?"

Qi Jingchun nodded with a smile.

"Then what about you, Mr. Qi?" Chen Ping’an asked.

Qi Jingchun sighed and shook his head. "After accompanying you for all this time, it will eventually be time for me to say goodbye. I've already done everything I can."

Chen Ping'an lowered his head and silently stared at his feet.

This reply hit Chen Ping'an the same way as Old Man Yang's reply of "wasn't worth it" back in the Yang Family's medicine shop. Even though he expected it, it still made him feel very sad. He felt incredibly sad.

Qi Jingchun reached over and gently placed a hand on the young boy's head. "Even though I said that my damaged soul is acting as Dao guardians for the three of you, is accumulating all of the spring wind here not a form of me asking you to travel around the world for me? I have no more regrets."

He flashed Chen Ping'an a knowing smile and continued, "You can feel sad, but you can also drink wine, right?"

The rims of Chen Ping'an's eyes were red as he grabbed the Sword Nurturing Gourd from his waist and handed it to Qi Jingchun.

Qi Jingchun’s figure was becoming increasingly faint, and he lazily stretched his back and shook his head with a smile. "You can save my portion for later."

Chen Ping'an didn't drink any wine either, and he retied the gourd to his waist.

He was afraid of genuinely becoming a drunkard.

"Chen Ping'an, do you want me to accompany you to practice the fist technique one last time?" Qi Jingchun suddenly suggested.

"The six-step walking meditation?" Chen Ping'an asked in puzzlement.

Qi Jingchun nodded in reply.

Chen Ping'an took a deep breath before slowly walking forward and calmly throwing a punch.

The moonlight was pure, and the Confucian scholar in azure robes walked beside Chen Ping’an and also threw a punch with him. His movements were also calm and leisurely.

After finishing the six-step walking meditation, Chen Ping'an came to a gentle stop and didn't repeat the fist technique anymore.

He didn't turn around but instead gazed into the distance, just like that.

There was no more spring wind hovering around his sleeves.

He knew.

This time, Mr. Qi...had truly left.

1. A Daoist concept regarding the human soul. ?