When traveling the world, giving one’s name was not a big deal most of the time. But the name “Chen Chao” was no longer something light and unremarkable in the present world.

So, if it could be left unsaid, he would not say it.

When Aunt Gan heard the surname “Chen,” she was briefly dazed, her gaze dimming slightly. “Same surname as my man.”

Chen Chao gave her a look, he could tell this woman was likely someone with deep affection.

Some women, after all they had been through, would choose to live freely, unrestrained, even becoming indifferent to matters between men and women. But deep in their hearts, there would still be a corner guarded gently, a piece of love time could not wash away or make them forget.

Chen Chao had originally planned to excuse himself and part ways. But in the end, he could not bring himself to. And so, he traveled alongside the woman and those young girls for over a hundred miles.

Eventually, it seemed Aunt Gan finally felt it was time to part. Only then, did she ask belatedly, “Who’s in the carriage?”

There had been no sound from the carriage this whole time, Aunt Gan had nearly forgotten there was someone inside.

Chen Chao let out a chuckle. “My wife.”

A faint voice drifted from within the carriage. “It’s fine.”

It was a remarkably cool and clear female voice.

Aunt Gan thought for a moment, then added, “Don’t be angry at him. He’s a good man.”

The response from inside was still just three words.

“I know.”

Aunt Gan let out a breath of relief, then looked back at Chen Chao and smiled. “The reason I thickened my skin to walk with you all this way is because you look quite a bit like my late husband. I just wanted to look a little longer. Don’t misunderstand.”

Chen Chao nodded and said softly, “It’s all right.”

Aunt Gan laughed heartily. “Since that’s the case, I wish you both a long life together, and may you stay with each other for life and eternity.”

After saying that, she called to the young female cultivators behind her. “Girls, let’s go!”

Aunt Gan spurred her horse forward, the young women following after her. Chen Chao watched her figure receding into the distance, and for some reason, felt a faint loneliness in it.

Shaking his head, Chen Chao sighed. “Seems that this… elder sister of ours probably really does spend her nights sleepless.”

Xie Nandu lifted the curtain and looked at those departing figures, then asked curiously, “Chen Chao, is there really such a thing in this world? Someone a person can’t leave, no matter what?”

Chen Chao nodded slowly and replied softly, “Of course. There are lovelorn people everywhere in this world. If one loves deeply, how could they let go?”

“Even after decades, or centuries… it can’t change?”

Xie Nandu looked at Chen Chao with curiosity. There were some things she truly didn’t understand.

Chen Chao said, “When you truly care about someone, it’s like their name is carved into your heart. How could time ever smooth that mark away?”

Xie Nandu thought about it, but did not speak. This genius daughter of the Xie Family had studied from a young age, reading vast histories, travelogues of mountains and rivers, strange anecdotes, and later, the teachings of sages and military classics. She understood most of the world’s principles. But when it came to the matters between men and women, she really was not much different from those girls just awakening to love; she did not know all that much more.

She knew she liked Chen Chao, but when it came to something that deep, in truth, she was still a little lost.

All she thought of was not to leave him, to stay by his side always.

As for anything beyond that, she had not thought much about it.

“Why do you suddenly sound like you really understand this kind of thing?”

Xie Nandu gave him a look.

Chen Chao laughed. “I don’t know. Just that the longer I spend time with you, the more I don’t want to leave you.”

Xie Nandu thought for a bit, then said seriously, “Chen Chao, if one day I leave, I’ll become a star in the sky, watching over you always.”

Chen Chao shook his head.

Xie Nandu continued on her own, “I’ll be the brightest one in the sky.”

For no particular reason, Chen Chao snapped in annoyance, “Your Father doesn’t like looking up!”

Xie Nandu did not mind and simply said, “I want to go see Straw Sandal Market.”

……

……

Straw Sandal Market.

Located at the border between Xinliu Prefecture and Changping Prefecture, it had once been a small mountain sect founded by itinerant cultivators. Later, however, several major itinerant sects from the north pooled their resources to purchase the place, renovating it drastically into what was now known as Straw Sandal Market.

It was a pity that, of the original sect structures, only a single tree tower built around a thousand-year-old ancient tree had been preserved. Everything else had been torn down.

Ever since this year’s event at Straw Sandal Market had been announced, people had been arriving continuously. Virtually all the notable itinerant cultivators from the north had made their way here, and word was that even the south would be sending a few renowned figures, though no one knew exactly when they would arrive. Fortunately, the Straw Sandal Market covered a large area and had plenty of guest accommodations, just enough to house everyone.

Another small regret: as with previous years, they had once again failed to invite that elusive, mysterious figure – the so-called Daoist Straw Sandal.

Straw Sandal Market without Daoist Straw Sandal, there was something ironic about it.

Still, people had gotten used to it.

Atop the tree tower, two men stood side by side. One of them had a sturdy build, clearly possessing great physical strength, but had a face full of an unkempt beard and wore a wide daoist robe. It gave off an odd, mismatched look. But those who knew his identity would not dare laugh at him.

After all, while the north had many itinerant cultivator sects, this man’s Tri-Pure Mountain remained firmly among the top three.

The sect master of Tri-Pure Mountain was a genuine peak Great Beyond cultivator; just a step away from Nepenthe.

As for the man beside him, he was a middle-aged scholar with a fair face and no beard, possessing an extraordinary bearing. Among the itinerant cultivators of the north, his status was equal to that of the Tri-Pure Mountain sect master. He was the master of Cloudglow Cave, bearing a refined name: He Hu.

In terms of cultivation realm, he was on par with Ying Chaozong, the Tri-Pure Mountain sect master.

It could be said that the two of them together represented half the strength of all the northern itinerant cultivators combined.

Don’t laugh at the fact that these northern itinerant cultivators could not produce a single cultivator at the Nepenthe realm. If they truly were that formidable, how could they still be looked down upon by orthodox cultivators? They would have long since straightened their backs.

The two men stood shoulder to shoulder, watching as more itinerant cultivators climbed the mountain, but neither of them appeared the least bit stirred.

Ying Chaozong smiled and said, “Brother He, quite a few women from Blue Moon Mountain have shown up this time. How many are you planning to keep?”

He Hu gave Ying Chaozong a glance and replied indifferently, “It’s all mutual consent, why does it sound so wicked when it comes out of your mouth?”

Ying Chaozong did not press the matter, he merely changed the subject. “Green Algae Sect’s been wiped out. How do we split the leftovers?”

He Hu said in surprise. “Brother Ying, weren’t you very close with that Sect Master Gu from the Green Algae Sect? And now all you’re thinking about is how to divide their belongings? Shouldn’t you be focused on avenging that Sect Master Gu?”

Ying Chaozong sneered. “What a joke. Green Algae Sect brought this on themselves trying to cozy up to Infatuation Daoist Temple. No matter how deep our friendship was, you think I’d throw my life away for them?”

He Hu sighed. “In this regard, Brother Ying, you’re still not as decent as that wild monk.”

Among the three major northern itinerant cultivator sects, besides Tri-Pure Mountain and Cloudglow Cave, the third was Lonely Monastery. Its abbot was a monk who had fled from Deercry Temple in his younger years. He left precisely because he could not stand all the rigid commandments. After founding his sect in the north, naturally he did not impose any strict rules either, and had long been known among the northern itinerant cultivators as the wild monk.

This wild monk had been close to Gu Changsheng. After the Green Algae Sect was annihilated, he flew into a rage, vowing to fight that Lord Warden Commander to the death.

However, both Ying Chaozong and He Hu knew perfectly well that no matter how refined the wild monk’s Vajra physique was, he could never be a match for that young martial artist.

The Great Beyond and Nepenthe were separated by only a hairsbreadth, but the difference was like heaven and earth.

Moreover, rumors were already spreading that this young martial artist had even slain the sect master of Glazed Temple, someone who stood at the end of Nepenthe.

Although northern itinerant cultivators looked down on martial artists, but in truth, they were well aware of their own circumstances. To the north lay the unbreakable Northern Frontier Great Wall of the Great Liang Dynasty, and to the south, the Divine Capital.

Situated between them, they were nothing more than bullied little wives.

“Now that the Green Algae Sect has been wiped out, we can’t divide the spoils just yet. The wild monk is still full of rage, whatever we do now, we might end up provoking him. Better to wait until he clashes with Great Liang, then make our move,”

He Hu said with a smile, “Otherwise, we’ll just end up covered in trouble.”

Ying Chaozong frowned. Of course he understood the logic. But what worried him was that the longer they delayed, the more likely something would go wrong. Opportunities could vanish in an instant.

He Hu naturally saw through this old friend’s thoughts and shook his head. “That’s all I’ll say. If you want to try something now, then you’ll just have to deal with the consequences yourself.”

Ying Chaozong burst out laughing and waved his hand. “How could that be? I’ve always been someone who listens to good advice. Since it’s Brother He who has spoken, I’ll go along with it, definitely.”

He Hu let out a cold laugh and said no more.

Then Ying Chaozong suddenly said, “I hear Gan Caocao is coming this time too. Aren’t you afraid she’ll come looking to settle old scores with you?”

He Hu looked entirely indifferent and replied coolly, “Just a woman, that’s all.”