This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 427 Plain-Dyed Sword Master: I Can No Longer Understand Sword Heart Sect
Xiao He, the master of ideas, had a very simple idea, and like himself, it was quite cunning.

The three kingdoms of Northern Qi, Western Chu, and Southern Jin formed a triangular relationship, maintaining a delicate balance due to the stability of the triangle.

To break the balance, one must either weaken one side or strengthen the other. At that point, the weak will band together, the strong will reign supreme, and the world order will naturally be rewritten.

It's hard to say whether Western Chu has strengthened, but Southern Jin has definitely been weakened. Xiang Yuan's trip to Shangyuan is to support the new emperor and, at the same time, reason with the six great families and try to win their hearts.

As for how to win people's hearts, the Hegemon-King had his own heartfelt methods, which Xiao He will not elaborate on here.

As for the Southern Jin, it is said that Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, was a member of the Liu clan and had a very close relationship with the emperor of Northern Qi. Xiang Yu supported Xiao Yan's ascension to the throne, but in reality, it was at the behest of Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che).

This rumor was previously widely publicized by Baiyun Manor, making it known to everyone, and many people in Xichu still believe it to be true.

There's no need to say much to Yuan; just a mention is enough for the Southern Jin to believe it.

Ah Jin, Northern Qi and Western Chu have already joined forces. Guess who didn't receive an invitation?
As for Northern Qi, it was said that after Xiang Yu's defeat, he planned to support a new emperor of Southern Jin and form a strong alliance by signing a non-aggression pact between the two countries to suppress Northern Qi's restless ambitions and avoid war and strife in the world.

Ah Qi, the Southern Jin and Western Chu signed a friendly treaty. Guess who they are targeting?

Regarding Western Chu...

Oh, that's not necessary. The Heavenly Sect is at its zenith, and its many titles of overlord are so numerous that they can't all be seated in one room. The Xiao family of the Divine Capital dares not have any objections.

At the same time, they were being misled by the Northern Qi and Southern Jin, who claimed that they didn't want to be bullied and didn't want to be left out of the party, and that they would find a way to join in.

Xiao He chuckled sinisterly. Asking for favors was too troublesome. He decided to change his approach and pass the trouble to others, letting them come to him for help.

"Brother-in-law, you're brilliant!"

Xiang Yuan gave a heartfelt compliment, and then said, "How should this terrible idea be carried out? I'm not trying to discourage you, but I went to Northern Qi to test the waters, and it really won't work there."

"That's because you're good with your hands. Besides beating people up, you don't have any other negotiation skills."

Xiao He snorted twice. There is nothing in this world that cannot be negotiated. All the grievances are fake. As long as the interests are in place, everything is negotiable.

He firmly believed that Liu Che was a shrewd emperor who would not make definitive statements; his tough stance was merely a tactic in negotiations.

Liu Che had other intentions and set a threshold for mediation, but Xiang Yuan failed to grasp the true meaning.

"What do you mean? You want to represent the Xiao family of Shendu as an envoy to Northern Qi?" Seeing Xiao He's confidence, Xiang Yuan chuckled, not optimistic about his mission.

"The Xiao family of Shendu is not enough; we need to add the identity of the Heavenly Sect Envoy."

At this point, Xiao He looked at Ji Wuzhou and said, "Boss, what are you standing there for? Give me an identity. It's hard to get things done when I'm penniless."

Ji Wuzhou waved his hand, bestowing upon Xiao He the titles of Outer Sect Elder and Inner Sect Steward, and said with a stern face, "This is a trivial matter; you two can discuss it yourselves. There is no need to consult this sect master."

Forget it, you're getting upset just because I treat you like you're not there! x2
With this new identity, Xiao He felt even more confident.

Xiang Yuan saw that Liu Che was gloating and predicted that he would return disappointed. He had seen with his own eyes that Liu Che was resolute and there was no room for negotiation. How could this be false?

However, Xiao He was indeed eloquent, and if Liu Che suddenly became a tyrant, he might actually get it done.

It would be best if it could be done.

Thinking of this, Xiang Yuan gave him another suggestion: "Brother-in-law, if Liu Che refuses to see you when you go to Tai'an Prefecture in Northern Qi, just say that I went to Benxin Dao. At that time, a Shaolin Taoist priest will come to visit you."

"???"

What does this have to do with Shaolin Taoist priests? No, where would Shaolin get Taoist priests?

He could understand Xiao He's intentions, but as a scion of a noble family, he did not believe that Liu Che would succumb to the pressure from the mountain gate. The Shaolin Taoist priest did not understand at all and suspected that Xiang Yuan was taking advantage of his lack of knowledge about Northern Qi and was deliberately making fun of him.

"Trust me, it won't be wrong. As long as you mention the Shaolin Taoist priest, they'll be very easy to talk to in Northern Qi." Xiang Yuan said confidently. As someone with experience, the Shaolin Taoist priest's reputation was indeed effective.

Xiao He went to Northern Qi, and Xiang Yuan naturally had to go to Southern Jin; they had already come up with an excuse to enter the game.

The New Year is just a month away. Counting the days, it's time for the Southern Jin Dynasty to suppress the floods!

None of the six powerful families dared to complain. They built a dam upstream, releasing floodwaters during the rainy season and storing water during the dry season, so even if they tried to seize the land, they wouldn't get anything.

After discussing the matter, the two immediately split up and took action.

Ji Wuzhou: "..."

No, what about the procedure? I, the sect leader, haven't given any instructions yet, so why did you leave?
Even just a glance from me, the sect leader, would be enough to make me nod!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Qingzhou, Bishui County.

Since Xiang Yuan learned superior time management—or rather, superior spatial teleportation techniques—from Bai Wuyan, he has been able to hit exactly where he wants without having to stop midway to confirm his direction.

On this journey to Southern Jin, I thought of the time I passed through the Qilin Mountains while controlling the floods, and then I thought of my snake demon brother Yue Huanjiang. Then I thought of Jianxinzhai, who still had a decent relationship with Baiyun Manor and was tearfully licking the coffin.

Ah Ping!

I'll just pick up Ziping along the way and have some fun.

As Xiang Yuan had expected, Zi Ping was constantly being given the cold shoulder at Jianxinzhai, and once again, Shang Qingmeng threw her out to fish. As soon as he opened the door, he saw her sitting cross-legged on the couch.

Without performing a summoning ritual, Xiang Yuan wasn't worried about Shang Qingmeng appearing. He sat on the couch and put his arm around her shoulder, acting like a good buddy.

To Zi Ping's surprise, Xiang Yuan arrived in broad daylight, whereas he usually arrived in the middle of the night.

What do you mean? Doesn't it feel more surreptitious to sneak around late at night?

Or are you tired of it and want to try it out during the day to see if it feels better?
Zi Ping chuckled inwardly, finding some amusement in accepting the "cheating couple" persona. She winked and put her arm around Xiang Yuan's shoulder, giggling, "Your Highness, how should I address you now? Senior Brother, or..."

At this point, she lowered her voice: "Still my master?"

After saying that, he laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Is this some kind of gossip you can just sit here and laugh? Who do you think you are, standing here laughing like this? I think you're already courting death!
Xiang Yuan and Su Ran Sword Master are completely innocent; they can confidently say that their relationship was one of mutual benefit, where they exchanged blood for knowledge.

At least his relationship with Bai Wuyan was much more innocent than hers.

Seeing Zi Ping still grinning foolishly, Xiang Yuan didn't point it out. He tightened his grip on her shoulder and pulled her directly into his arms: "Ah Ping, I've told Sword Master that being with her was out of necessity, and being with Fairy Shang was a misunderstanding. Only being with you is true love."

Is this some kind of rip-off?
No, Ah Ping was just passing by to watch a play, please don't make things difficult for her!
Zi Ping panicked as soon as she heard that. True love? It sounded like a lie to make fun of her. Only a madwoman would believe it.

But she felt it wasn't important; it was her master and senior sister who mattered, especially her master. What if her master killed her for being a rebellious disciple?

Probably not, it's just a matter of first come, first served, she was here first.

As she thought about it, Zi Ping chuckled again, her heart brimming with anticipation: "Say what you will, A Ping is fearless now. Tell me, what were you doing in Little Cave Heaven those few days?"

Seeing the burning gaze in his eyes, and his fearlessness in the face of danger, Xiang Yuan thought to himself that he was incredibly bold, and truthfully replied, "The Sword Master taught me the way of the sword, and I am returning the favor by giving him a blood medicine, that's all."

How was it given as a gift?

Zi Ping's breathing quickened, and she asked excitedly, "Was it taken by Master, or did you bleed yourself?"

"Uh, it was named by the Sword Master."

I knew it!

There are many ways to obtain medicine, and the effects of the medicine vary depending on the location. Zi Ping was very curious about how her master would obtain the medicine. Would he be as proper as she was, or as eloquent as her senior sister?
It can't just be something to talk about with relish!
Zi Ping became more and more excited as she thought about it, silently praying that she wouldn't be as conventional as her, because that would be too boring.

This little girl, A-Ping, has a flushed face, dilated pupils, and rapid breathing; she must be suffering from heatstroke!
Xiang Yuan rolled his eyes, wondering how A Ping would react if Su Ran were to call him "sister" at this moment. However, fearing that the Sword Master might be spying on them through the crack in the door, he kept his thoughts to himself.

His intuition told him that if he dared to speak recklessly, the Sword Master at the Door Crack would use that as an excuse to detain him and drink slowly.

Of course, Xiang Yuan didn't believe that the Sword Master of the Door Crack would be hiding in the shadows to spy on him. This had nothing to do with trusting the other party's character, since he had spied on him before and was a repeat offender.

He thought so because the Sword Master of the Door Crack was in seclusion and had no time to commit the crime.

"speak!"

Zi Ping nudged Xiang Yuan and whispered "Master" in his ear, then lowered her head and shrugged her shoulders.

Xiang Yuan: (_)
You unfilial disciple, how can you snuggle up to your master like that?
Xiang Yuan came to amuse Zi Ping, not to provide her with amusement. Seeing her so happy that she was almost like an immortal, he was extremely displeased. He pricked his fingertip and shoved a finger into Zi Ping's mouth, making her choke and roll her eyes back.

The blood medicine entered the body, forcibly activating the cultivation mode.

Zi Ping roughly realized what was happening, but she was powerless to resist. In just a moment, she collapsed into Xiang Yuan's arms, drenched in sweat, her eyes half-closed as if she were drunk.

"Humph!"

Xiang Yuan sneered. Instead of providing entertainment, Tian Gang wants to watch the fun. Well, let your senior sister deal with you.

Xiang Yuan held down Zi Ping's belt to untie it, loosened her hair, and messed up her clothes. He then skillfully grabbed one of her arms and was about to pin her down.

Zi Ping rolled her eyes. It was the same old trick, just a different name. She was too lazy to even cry out in pain anymore. If she wasn't mistaken, the moment her senior sister walked in, that bastard—no, her grandmaster—would run away, leaving her to bear the brunt of her senior sister's wrath.

That was exactly what Xiang Yuan was thinking. He grabbed Zi Ping's wrist, pulled, tugged, twisted, and then...

The space behind him distorted, and invisible ripples spread out. A pale white hand reached out from it, grabbed his collar, and pulled him inside.

Xiang Yuan: (д⊙)
Ah, did you not go into seclusion or did you come out of seclusion?

Zi Ping: _(」∠)_
Senior Sister, look how well Master did it...

Huh, where's Senior Sister?

Oh, the summoning mechanism was just a little short; it wasn't triggered, so the senior sister can't come.

Zi Ping rubbed her wrist and sat up, straightening her disheveled clothes. She looked at the enclosed space behind her with disappointment. It was a great regret in her life that she could not appreciate such a wonderful painting with her senior sister.

Le.JPG
"Wait a minute……"

Zi Ping: (One-one)
Zi Ping frowned, realizing something was wrong, and her laughter quickly faded.

Although she and Xiang Yuan were completely innocent, and it wasn't the misunderstanding that her master, senior sister, and junior sister had made, she knew very well that the misunderstanding had persisted to this day and could not be resolved.

No matter how much she denied it, in her master's eyes, she had an affair with Xiang Yuan.

Especially since Xiang Yuan just tried to activate the summoning mechanism, and only did half of it, it looks a lot like... well, you know.

Therefore, even though Master knew that she and Xiang Yuan were having an affair and were about to make love, he still took Xiang Yuan away.

How infuriating! This is blatantly stealing her man right in front of her!

Zi Ping, having empathized with the character, had a terrible experience and understood why Shang Qingmeng was so angry.

This is outrageous! What kind of man would steal from his apprentice?

Carrying it on your back is fine too!

Senior Sister, this time A-Ping is on your side. Master really went too far!
Thinking of this, Zi Ping walked out of the courtyard with a serious face, suppressing the corners of her mouth that couldn't be stopped from turning up. She prepared to immediately notify Shang Qingmeng and have her continue to pound on the door of the Sword Pillar Forbidden Area.

What? Will informing on him anger Master?
Hilarious! Her man was stolen; she's the one who should be angry.

"Whee!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sword Heart Studio, a small grotto.

Su Ran, the Sword Master, sat cross-legged on the high platform. Before him, the water curtain shimmered with light, revealing Zi Ping's face, which sometimes looked like a hawk and sometimes like a flower in disarray. She even staggered as she walked, which amused her greatly.

Su Ran Sword Master's face was full of black lines. He didn't quite understand, but he felt very embarrassed. He pointed at the screen and said, "Ah Ping wasn't like this before. What kind of bewitching potion did you give her?"

What does this have to do with me? What kind of people are you from the gossip club? Don't you, as the leader, have any idea?
Xiang Yuan thought to himself that seeing Zi Ping's smug and amused expression, he was secretly annoyed that she had seen his funny act again.

How could we let you succeed!
Xiang Yuan narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, saying, "Sword Master, I'm speaking frankly. If there are any offensive words, it's all A-Ping's fault. Please don't blame me."

"Speak your mind directly. I am not an unreasonable person."

"..."

You are fair-skinned and clean-cut, a rare beauty with the face of a goddess, and your name, Sword Master, is full of majesty. How could you say such shameless things!

Xiang Yuan thought to himself, "All crows are black," and said with a serious face, "So that Sword Master may know that you don't really understand A-Ping."

"What a joke! Ah Ping is my disciple. I've watched her grow up since she was a child. I don't understand Ah Ping, but do you?" Su Ran Sword Venerable scoffed.

Needless to say, I'm the one who gave her the nickname "A-Ping"!

Xiang Yuan stared at Su Ran Sword Venerable until she could no longer laugh, then slowly said, "Sword Venerable, don't forget that I and A Ping have a romantic relationship and know each other inside and out. No one understands A Ping better than me."

If that's what you're saying, then I can't really refute it.

Su Ran Sword Master sighed inwardly. Her disciple had grown up and she couldn't keep her. Xiang Yuan was indeed a little more knowledgeable than her.

"Go on."

"It's like this, based on my observation of A-Ping, she has some rather indescribable quirks..."

Xiang Yuan sighed and pointed out that Zi Ping was a pervert who liked to steal other people's things. When they first met, Zi Ping didn't feel anything for him, but once he got together with Shang Qingmeng, Zi Ping immediately stopped being sleepy.

Plain-Dyed Sword Master: (_)
What nonsense are you spouting? Stop talking rubbish!
"If Sword Master doesn't believe me, I have evidence here. Just now you were spying on me..."

"Um?!"

"Just now, when your spirit was patrolling and protecting the Jianxinzhai sect to ensure its tranquility, and checking whether there were any treacherous villains plotting against the disciples of Jianxinzhai, you accidentally saw me and Aping enjoying a romantic time under the moon."

Xiang Yuan reorganized his words and continued to smear Zi Ping: "Sword Master should have heard that A Ping has clearly misunderstood something. She calls me Grandmaster, and when I objected, she was still unhappy. Even when you are deeply in love, you insist on calling me that."

At this point, Xiang Yuan spread his hands, saying that he hadn't wronged A Ping; she was just a pervert.

Su Ran Sword Master's face darkened. She already knew that Shang Qingmeng and Zi Ping had some misunderstanding. Since explaining would be considered sophistry, she decided to let the innocent clear themselves and didn't bother to say anything more.

Who would have thought that you can know a person's face but not their heart? Zi Ping was actually a pervert.

Outrageous! This traitorous disciple even dares to sleep with his own master!
Pooh!
Su Ran Sword Master meant that, despite the misunderstanding, Zi Ping's rebellious behavior was true, and if left unchecked today, it would only encourage evil practices.

If this continues, Jianxinzhai may become even inferior to Wushuang Palace!

"Sword Master, even a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness. I, Xiang Yuan, will bear full responsibility for A Ping's mistake." Xiang Yuan stepped forward again, his face filled with deep love and no regrets.

He was just messing with Ah Ping to keep her entertained, not intending to ruin her. So, it's time to speak up.

Su Ran, the Sword Master, twitched at the corner of her mouth, indicating that she no longer understood the Sword Heart Sect. Of the disciples she had the best of, Shang Qingmeng had gone astray, Zi Ping had gone astray, but Qin Zhaorong hadn't gone astray; she had always been astray.

The leader was exhausted and felt she couldn't keep up. She thought that this batch of students was wasted, so she would pick two students with decent aptitude from the next generation and train them again.

A few days ago, Lingyu requested an audience to seek a method for her disciple Sima Qingyan to sever the seven emotions and six desires so that she could focus on the path of swordsmanship.

Sima Qingyan's aptitude was mediocre, barely touching the threshold of genius. She was on the verge of becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator, but without a great opportunity, it would be difficult for her to reach the Netherworld realm. Sword Master Su Ran did not agree at the time, since the method of severing the seven emotions and six desires would not truly sever those emotions and desires; Shang Qingmeng was the best example of this.

Now think about it...

Su Ran Sword Master pointed his fingers into a sword and held it in mid-air, scattering Zi Ping's figure. He then released a beam of spiritual light, bestowing upon Ling Yu the method to sever the seven emotions and six desires, and instructing her to give it to Sima Qingyan.

Hopefully, the next generation won't go astray!

Xiang Yuan, watching from within the water curtain, saw Zi Ping find Shang Qingmeng. Just as he was wondering what would happen next, the live stream was cut off by Sword Master Su Ran, leaving him scratching his head in frustration.

No, is that how you make a judgment?

"What brings you to Jianxinzhai to see me?"

Su Ran Sword Master looked at Xiang Yuan with displeasure. "You come to study and just walk in without closing the door. You're always indulging in women. Is this the attitude of studying?"
She also had to manually rescue the person.

That's wrong!
"..."

Xiang didn't intend to look for you; he just came to have some fun with A-Ping!

Xiang Yuan spoke the truth in his heart, but since the Sword Master at the Door Crack had spoken, he went on to explain the chaos in the Southern Jin Dynasty, his compassion, and his desire to help those in distress. Finally, he asked, "I have come to ask the Sword Master whether there are any pawns planted by a mastermind behind the scenes in the Southern Jin Dynasty?"

"Have."

No way, there's a real unexpected bonus!

Xiang Yuan's eyes lit up, and he bowed and said, "Please enlighten me, Sword Master. On behalf of the people of Southern Jin, I am grateful for your rescue."

Sword Master Su Ran closed his eyes and frowned, as if he were divining something, but he couldn't come up with a result after a long time.

"I am willing to donate blood and medicine."

"Perfect, I've figured it out!"

"..."

Another day of liking the White House.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

10,000 words, please vote with monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)