Heaven and earth were clear and bright, washing away the dust of old.
Chen Ping'an tucked an Oiled Paper Umbrella beneath his arm and slowly walked toward the small rented house. Though his injuries were far from light, the weight in his body put his mind at ease.
After circling past the familiar Yamen Shrine, Chen Ping'an recalled how, back when he had set up a fortune-telling stall as a Daoist priest, he would often climb over the wall to watch those clerks scheme against one another and study their ways with words.
Using his qi-observing method, he discovered Gu Can's whereabouts. Chen Ping'an spoke to him through Inner Voice, gave him an address, and arranged to meet there.
Of course, Earth Immortals and Upper Five Realms cultivators often had methods for concealing their aura. Gu Can had done so deliberately, worried Chen Ping'an would be unable to find him.
Chen Ping'an followed the familiar route into Sweetwater Alley. Three trained fighters approached from afar. Among them was a lean, capable-looking man whose arms reached to his knees. Leaning sideways against his bundle, he spoke softly, comforting the handsome yet dispirited young man beside him. "Hongtu, so what if you are no longer a virgin? Though you cannot attain the supernatural perfection of those ancient Sword Immortals, or learn the founding patriarch's flying sword technique of taking heads, you should still strive to become invincible in the mortal world and make a name for yourself in the martial world. Do not belittle yourself, lose heart at every turn, and waste your years and talents."
The young man nodded woodenly, though it was impossible to tell whether he had taken the words to heart or merely let them go in one ear and out the other.
Seeing the green-robed figure at