Chapter 67

Chen Yan squinted at the woman: qi gathered above her head, gray qi faintly threaded with barely visible silver strands.

That meant she, like him, was still in the mortal cultivation stage.

Judging by the intensity of the silver glow… this woman’s realm was likely the same as his—[Guanyuan Realm]—and perhaps slightly lower?

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The woman named Chu Keqing seemed momentarily stunned by Chen Yan’s actions, but after a deep breath, she regained her composure: “Master Chen should know why I’ve come to you.”

“Hmm, why don’t you tell me first?” Chen Yan picked up a piece of clam meat and put it in his mouth.

Chu Keqing said coolly: “My senior brother, Luo Qing.”

“Oh.” Chen Yan nodded. Since she’d come to him, he had no intention of hiding it: “I was the one who laid talismans outside the shop to lure rats, and later, I tore down his house.”

(You tore down his house twice.) Chu Keqing silently added in her mind.

But there was no need to dwell on details—he’d admitted it already.

“Then, Master Chen, don’t you think you owe an explanation?” Chu Keqing asked slowly, locking eyes with Chen Yan.

The woman’s voice had a peculiar quality—normally cold, yet carrying a faint natural nasal tone.

“Luo Qing isn’t a good man. He does evil, harms others—doesn’t he deserve punishment?” Chen Yan asked bluntly.

Chu Keqing fell silent for a moment, then said slowly: “My senior brother acts recklessly, has offended many, committed many wrongs—he does deserve punishment.

But before you acted, shouldn’t you have first reasoned with him? I have some standing among fellow cultivators. If there was an issue, you could’ve come to me directly—everything could’ve been settled amicably. Master Chen just attacked… it’s rather…”

“Luo Qing isn’t doing this kind of dirty business for the first time.” Chen Yan smiled, looking at the woman. “And you’re not the first time you’ve cleaned up after him. Whether you call it punishment or whatever—he’s been doing this for years, isn’t he? You’ve known for a long time, haven’t you? Have you ever stopped him?”

Chu Keqing’s face flushed slightly at this sharp retort. She clenched her teeth: “My Yun Sect has its own rules. When our disciples do wrong…”

“Take it up with the police,” Chen Yan cut in, shaking his head. “What century are we in? Still talking about sects and clans? Today, I punished Luo Qing. If I hadn’t, wouldn’t he have been arrested by the police for his crimes?

Would you go to the police and say, ‘Don’t arrest him—my Yun Sect has its own rules’?

Do you think you’re filming a xianxia drama? Are you joking?”

A hint of anger slowly surfaced in Chu Keqing’s eyes: “Our Xuan Sect has its own ways of resolving matters. Master Chen, your words are exceedingly unreasonable.”

Her tone softened: “I’ve been quite reasonable. My senior brother Luo Qing was disciplined by you. I didn’t come to fight or kill—I came today just to sit and talk.

Or are you too young? Didn’t your sect elders teach you these worldly rules?

Do you really think mastering a few impressive talisman arts gives you license to act however you please?”

Do you really think learning a few unusual talisman arts gives you license to act recklessly?

Chen Yan’s mind stirred—he understood. This woman thought he was young, assumed he was some junior disciple of a sect?

So, still the same oily, shady tricks?

Jianghu isn’t about fighting and killing—jianghu is about human relations and social graces?

The martial world isn’t about fighting and killing; the martial world is about human relations and social customs.

“I will take full responsibility for my senior brother Luo Qing’s actions.

I’ll transfer compensation to Fang Zong today—every cent, no less.

But you struck one of my Yun Sect’s members—not once, but repeatedly. If you don’t leave a name, how can I go to your sect elders and properly reason with them?”

As she spoke, Chu Keqing sighed lightly: “Alright. Originally, I thought you were young and talented, and wanted to treat you with courtesy. But if this is how it is, when I meet your sect elders, don’t blame me for bullying the young.”

Saying this, Chu Keqing let out a soft sigh: “Alright, I originally thought you young and accomplished, and wanted to treat you with proper courtesy. But since it’s like this, when you return to your sect’s elders, don’t blame me for bullying the young.”

You’re big? Well, I’m not small either!

Chu Keqing suddenly extended two fingers. With a slight flick, a yellow talisman appeared at her fingertips, igniting without fire. She spoke slowly: “Young one, which sect do you belong to?”

As the talisman burned rapidly, Chen Yan felt a surge of qi rush toward him. His spirit loosened slightly—he felt an instinctive urge to speak his true thoughts.

But in the blink of an eye, Chen Yan inhaled slightly, circulating qi through his body, and his mind cleared instantly.

Looking at Chu Keqing, Chen Yan sneered: “Zhenyan Talisman? Your flame is so weak—are you trying to scare whom?”

Chu Keqing frowned slightly: “Impressive cultivation. You can resist the Zhenyan Talisman’s power—no wonder you’re so bold at such a young age.”

She paused, then shook her head: “If that’s the case, I’ll have to take you into custody first, then discuss matters with your sect elders.”

“Take me into custody?” Chen Yan glanced at the woman’s hands—slender, long fingers, pale and delicate, clearly never touched hard labor.

Chu Keqing’s fingers produced another yellow talisman, which ignited swiftly. She pinched it and pointed at Chen Yan: “Talisman Command: Immovable as a Mountain!”

Chen Yan immediately felt the surrounding qi stiffen. Countless forces pressed down, pinning him to his chair.

Chu Keqing stood, walked slowly to Chen Yan’s side, and slapped another talisman onto his shoulder.

“Talisman Command: Pulling Technique!” Chu Keqing exhaled, glancing at Chen Yan. “Now, come with me quietly.”

Chen Yan stood up immediately, his body moving stiffly toward Chu Keqing’s side.

Chen Yan immediately stood up, his body moving stiffly as he walked to Chu Keqing’s side.

Chu Keqing took two slow steps forward—then suddenly frowned. No footsteps followed.

She turned back and saw Chen Yan standing where he was, watching her with a half-smile.

“You’re leaving already? You haven’t paid the bill yet. Does your Yun Sect’s rule include eating and not paying?”

As she spoke, Chen Yan took a light breath.

He held a mouthful of qi, then smiled gently: “Decree: Po Jue! Law breaks all arts.”

The words struck Chu Keqing’s ears like a great bronze bell, drums and gongs ringing together—she shuddered violently.

Then she saw Chen Yan raise both hands and stretch lazily—his body no longer stiff at all.

Then Chen Yan raised both hands and slowly stretched, the stiffness gone from his body.

Chu Keqing’s eyes widened. Her voice trembled: “You… you can cast spells?!”

She’d used three talismans—and not one worked?

He could cast spells directly—without talismans?!

Chen Yan smirked, plucked the yellow talisman off his shoulder, and glanced at it.

It bore some resemblance to the “Decree” techniques in his book—but the talisman script was crude by comparison.

As for that “Immovable as a Mountain” talisman—it was probably similar to his book’s “Decree: Paralysis Technique,” but far weaker.

“Mere fringe arts,” Chen Yan sneered deliberately.

He walked slowly toward Chu Keqing, exhaled gently, summoned qi, swiftly formed a hand seal, then pointed his finger like a sword at her.

He slowly walked to Chu Keqing’s front, exhaled gently, summoned Qi, and swiftly formed finger seals; then, pointing his finger like a sword, he aimed it at Chu Keqing.

Chu Keqing instantly felt a wave of icy water flood over her body. Her mind went blank—she froze in place.

Chen Yan looked at the woman he’d immobilized, satisfied.

Hmm. Don’t be like the monkey—freeze all seven fairy sisters, then only go for the peaches.

Hmm, one shouldn’t learn from monkeys—freeze all seven fairy maidens, then only go after the peaches.

I, Chen the Good Man, am no thug. It’s broad daylight…

No, the waitress had already glanced over twice.

He thought for a moment, then extended a finger and snapped Chu Keqing’s forehead hard.

*Pop!* The sound echoed. A red mark slowly rose on her pale skin.

“You interrupted my meal—I snap your forehead. We’re even.” Chen Yan waved his hand. “The Luo Qing matter is over. Don’t bother me again, and I won’t trouble your sect. Since you’ve been watching me here, you already know where I live.

Let me warn you: don’t come to my house. My family’s terrifying.”

Chu Keqing’s face burned red, eyes fixed on Chen Yan.

Half shame and fury.

Half awe.

With her cultivation, and all the high-level cultivators she’d met, she’d seen some who used talismans.

But… casting spells without any external aid?

Using spiritual power to cast spells directly?

This was the very realm Chu Keqing had dreamed of—only heard of in legends!

As she watched Chen Yan casually scan a code on his phone to pay the bill and turn to leave…

“Wait!” Chu Keqing suddenly called out: “Honored one, please wait!”

“Hmm? Is this the clichéd threat scene?” Chen Yan stopped and turned back.

“No, no,” Chu Keqing’s eyes darted away, her voice trembling. “Honored one, you can cast spells without external tools—such cultivation is far beyond my reach. Today, I overestimated myself. Please… no,—

“N-no, I dare not,” Chu Keqing’s eyes darted away, her voice trembling faintly: “You can cast spells without external aid—such cultivation is far beyond my reach. Today’s incident was my arrogance. I beg you, my lord… no—!”

Please, Honored One, leave your name. If you’d be willing to instruct me, my Yun Sect will open its gates wide and sweep the floor to welcome you!”

I beg you, Elder, to please leave your name. If you’re willing to instruct me, my Yun Sect will open our main gate wide, sweep the mats, and warmly welcome you!”

Chen Yan paused, then immediately understood.

This Jin Zuzhang had mistaken him for some ancient monster who’d altered his appearance?

Did this Gold Group Leader mistake me for some ancient monster who changed his appearance?

He cleared his throat, smiled at Chu Keqing with an air of ancient wisdom: “Don’t you already know my name?”

Truly, a Honored One—somehow preserved his youth. Was it the art of eternal beauty? Or the legendary reversal of aging…? Chu Keqing’s mind raced. His name was likely a pseudonym—he wouldn’t reveal his true Dao name. She spoke slowly: “Then… may I ask your age?”

A real elder… how did he manage to look so young? Is it some elixir for preserving youth? Or the legendary reversal of aging… Chu Keqing’s mind was in chaos; Chen Yan was surely a pseudonym—he won’t reveal his true Dao name… She spoke slowly: “Then… may I ask your honorable age?”

“I have lived in vain for ninety-one years.”

Before Chu Keqing could react, Chen Yan had already dashed out the door and vanished.

“You paid the bill!”

His voice echoed from outside.

Outside the door came Chen Yan’s words.

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