After pondering for a moment, he tentatively said, "Even if I were in Fairy Hairpin City and knew the Lu family’s reputation from afar, opposing them would be equivalent to taking on a powerful cultivator of the Fourteen Realms as an enemy.
If I were in your position, I would find a place to hide, ideally one with a strong backing that could rival the Lu family.
If it was someone with a deep-seated grudge, and they were pursuing me from Lu City, then I’d go to Ten Thousand Mountains and stay by Senior Peach Courtyard’s side for at least a chance of survival.
Of course, Lord Official doesn’t need to worry about this matter."Chen Pingyuan remained unresponsive and said, "You can go on your own.
Take a walk in the front hills of Wasted Mountain.
Just make sure you don’t venture too far from the main gate or suffer the consequences."Silver Deer was not reckless enough to wander around by himself.
After all, he was in Chen Pingyuan’s domain.
Even if one wrong word would cause trouble, Silver Deer feared that a look or expression might lead to immediate death on his way to the front hills.After much consideration, Silver Deer decided it was safer to stay close to Chen Pingyuan.
However, at a loss for words, he hesitated in opening up.
In Fairy Hairpin City, everyone had fawned over him.
He hadn’t needed to think twice about responding tactfully as the vice governor of the city.Chen Pingyuan said, "Adapt to local customs and follow your host’s lead.
Don’t you know this simple principle?"Silver Deer felt that if Chen Pingyuan put it like that, he had no retort.
Why didn’t you mention this when I went to Fairy Hairpin City?As they walked, the names of pavilions caught Silver Deer’s attention.
The names were varied and eye-opening.
Pavilion names such as "Erect", "High Sitting", "Clouds Above", "Full Moon", "Humble Heart", "Rain Below", and "Eight Winds" filled him with wonder.At the end of the road, a white-walled black-roofed house among green bamboo hid from view.
Chen Pingyuan put away his fan and said, "Go ahead."Silver Deer performed a deep bow, "I follow your command faithfully."In the back hills of Wasted Mountain, two young members of the Cao family were practicing martial arts.The main gate was open as a girl in the courtyard practiced her punches on the training ground.
Chen Pingyuan remained at the entrance, gently tapping his fingers against the door.
The girl finished her routine and saw Master Mountain.
Clearly, she felt anxious.This would be their third meeting.
The first time, it was when she accompanied her lord to visit Master Mountain in the bamboo pavilion but hadn’t talked much.The previous occasion involved Master Mountain personally coming here and even teaching Cao Yang a few punches.
After training, Cao Yang had been thoroughly convinced of his defeat and spent days practicing.At this moment, Cao Yang was at a loss for words when Cao Yin quickly stepped out from the study and down the steps, bowing respectfully to Chen Pingyuan, "Master Chen."Chen Pingyuan smiled, "Fengsheng, I heard that Wu Tong has entered the Fifth Realm.
Come over here to offer my congratulations.
I won’t stay long;just sit for a moment before leaving so as not to disturb your practice."Before him was Fengsheng Cao, a young descendant of the Upper Columnist Cao family, named Yin with the courtesy name Fengsheng.
He was also a Sword Art Realm cultivator at the bottleneck stage—undoubtedly a prodigious talent.But for his family's concern about early fame, Fengsheng would have already gained renown throughout Dali.
As for Cao Yang, nicknamed Wu Tong, she had just entered the Fifth Realm.
She owed this to Master Mountain’s personal instruction and complimented herself on her master’s prowess as a name-giver.Silver Deer naturally agreed with her.
During their conversation, Cao Yang offered Silver Deer some sesame seeds.
Looking down, he smiled faintly and politely declined, making Cao Yang scratch her head before putting the seeds back into her sleeve.Above them in a pavilion named "Dreaming Order," Xiaoma watched as the black-robed girl chattered on endlessly.
Beside her, an apricot hat-wearing girl fumed, "That Silver Deer is audacious.
Xiaoma, Xiaoma, do you think I should go and teach him a lesson?"Xiaoma said softly, "There’s no need.
Just let Xiao Mai treat the guests."Exuo felt wronged, "I can’t bear to see Xiao Mai in trouble."Earlier, when Cao Yang was in the bamboo pavilion looking at white clouds passing by, Xiu Zixue and the White-haired Immortal Boy had played a prank on her with their three heads hovering above clouds, flipping the bird at her.
This terrified Cao Yang until she realized what was happening;then she laughed heartily.Xiaoma said, "Stop scaring that water goddess in Jade Dew River Water Palace.
Don’t do it again."The already fearful water goddess of Jade Dew River had decided to move away from Wasted Mountain's vicinity, even if it meant demotion or replacement.
Looking at Xiaoma, Exuo felt a warm sensation and tried to nudge her shoulder.
But Xiaoma stopped her with a hand.Exuo quickly leaned in and brushed against the warmth of Xiaoma’s hand.
Xiaoma withdrew her hand and sighed softly, "Is my lord and Zhu really such a bad person?"Exuo was satisfied and said, "That Cao Lingjun from Misty Dew Isle has been hanging out well with that commoner, Bai Deng.
They’ve already drunk several rounds at Dragon Lane in the town.
Why didn’t Master Chen bring them up here?"Xiaoma explained, "Last time, they left without permission.
Jingqing was worried about being caught and suggested pretending to meet for the first time before coming over as guests.
This way, not only will he avoid punishment, but he might even be praised."Exuo rubbed his brow, "Is Master Chen really clueless or just acting?"Xiaoma smiled and said, "You needn’t doubt it;Jingqing truly believes that Master Chen Pingyuan knows nothing, and my lord will also pretend to have no idea in advance."Exuo turned back to her.
"Then Cao Lingjun is here again." In the old days, when Old Immortal Jialao was drunk, he once revealed in a drunken moment at Dragon Lane that he admired two people aside from Master Mountain—the Right Guard of the Mountain Zhou Miaoguan and Master Chen Lingjun who frequently visited the town.
Their combined efforts were crucial for calming hearts within Wasted Mountain.Exuo asked suddenly, "What if Silver Deer had any thoughts about the Hundred Eye Vile Robe?"Xiaoma said calmly, "Then I would send it to meet its master, Xuanpu."Exuo was puzzled, "Would my lord allow you to do that?"Xiaoma smiled, "My lord released Silver Deer with a life-or-death choice.
That is his fate."Exuo understood and said, "This fellow has good luck."Silver Deer conversed amicably with the girl on the road.Xiaoma said, "The journey is just beginning;the path ahead is long."Exuo muttered to herself, "Scholars have dirty hearts."Sitting against a pillar, Xiaoma stood up straight.
Noticing her change in aura, Exuo quickly tried to make amends by laughing and saying, "That’s good advice!"Xiaoma walked down the steps first, “Baigeng, Zhu has said something right—there is no absolute goodness or evil in personalities;they are like double-edged swords.”Exuo nodded vigorously as she hopped down.Zhu was always right.