As Chen Sui Nian and Lu Chen headed towards the town market, Chen Ping An turned to Ning Yao.
Chen Ping An said, "Ning, can I ask you some questions?"
Ning Yao glanced at Chen Ping An, "You may."
She nodded slightly.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
"As you can see, we are considered 'immortals' by your mortal standards. As for why we are here, this town has many opportunities, and cultivators need them."
Chen Ping An said, "Are my brother and Lu Chen also immortals?"
Ning Yao replied, "Isn't it obvious? This town is actually a forbidden zone for cultivation. Cultivators are not allowed to use their magic here. If they do, they will either shorten their lifespan or die. It's that serious."
Chen Ping An asked, "Then what about my brother?"
Ning Yao chuckled, "Hmm, he's an exception. He must be very strong, I can't see through him. Or maybe there's another reason. But he's definitely powerful. This forbidden zone, yet he can freely use his magic, especially the most difficult Heavenly Secrets techniques. As for Daoist Lu Chen, though he might seem frivolous and afraid of your brother, I can feel he is even stronger than your brother!"
"Those kinds of people are the most dangerous. They're not good people. Be careful."
Ning Yao suddenly remembered something and said indignantly, "Your brother is definitely not a good person either! Just like Lu Chen, always messing around, narrow-eyed people are no good!"
————
Lu Chen shrank his neck, looked back toward Ni Ping Lane, and muttered, "How am I messing around? This is slander, defamation, misunderstanding!"
Chen Sui Nian also looked back at Ni Ping Lane, "Exactly, I'm a good person, what's wrong with being narrow-eyed? What's it to you?"
"Humph, it's all your fault. If I hadn't been with you, would others consider me a bad person? Apart from a few wrong opinions, everything else is fine."
Lu Chen said, "How did you scare that little kid earlier? You know yourself, was that something a good person should do?"
Chen Sui Nian pouted, "I was just teasing the little kid, you know?
Alright, Ning Yao, just wait!
Chen Sui Nian silently made a note of Ning Yao's slander in his heart.
————
Chen Ping An reminded, "Ning, it's not good to talk bad about others behind their backs."
Ning Yao was already in a bad mood. She had been scared by Chen Sui Nian earlier, and now his younger brother was telling on her. She glared at Chen Ping An and said, "None of your business, mind your own!"
Chen Ping An shrunk back sheepishly and stopped talking. He continued asking, "How long do people like you usually stay in town looking for opportunities?"
Ning Yao thought for a moment and said, "It depends on the person. Some people are lucky, they find it right away and leave immediately. After all, who would want to stay in this forbidden zone? This forbidden zone is like a small room for cultivators. They can't even stretch out, it's suffocating!"
"Some people are unlucky, they can't find it even if they search their whole lives. They haven't met the right fate, the opportunity hasn't come."
Chen Ping An asked, "What about Cai Jin Jian?"
Ning Yao seemed not to have heard, "Who?"
"That beautiful, young woman, taller than me and you."
Ning Yao squinted and said, "Oh? What, is it love at first sight? Do you want to confess? She just arrived in town less than a day ago, and you already know her name? So dedicated? So attentive to her?"
Chen Ping An felt a little embarrassed. He scratched the back of his head and smiled shyly, "No. I was just inquiring."
Ning Yao suddenly recalled the earlier conversation between Chen Sui Nian and Lu Chen. She looked at Chen Ping An, "Your Longevity Bridge and acupuncture points, were they broken by this Cai Jin Jian?"
Ning Yao had a strange expression, "So you want revenge?"
Ning Yao said seriously, "There's no need. Your brother is right here, isn't he? Didn't he say he would help you teach those who bullied you a lesson? Why bother?"
"To be honest, you mortals are like slightly larger insects in the eyes of cultivators."
Chen Ping An shook his head and said, "No, I just want to try. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out."
"Some grudges need to be settled by oneself!"
Ning Yao was surprised. She didn't expect Chen Ping An to have such determination.
Chen Ping An said, "Didn't you say this place is a forbidden zone? Cultivators can't use magic, it's like being trapped in a small space. I want to try."
Ning Yao explained, "Even though this town is a forbidden zone, you are fundamentally different. While their magic and spiritual energy are suppressed, their physical strength is far beyond yours. You punch her, and she won't even get hurt. But if she even touches you, you'll be dead for sure! You're not even from the same world!"
Chen Ping An didn't understand, "Then why did she try to kill me if we're not even from the same world?"
Ning Yao thought for a moment and organized her words, "How should I say it? When you were walking as a child and accidentally stepped on an ant, did you feel guilty?"
Chen Ping An shook his head, "No, Ning, how can a person's life be compared to an ant? And what does that have to do with her trying to kill me? She clearly did it on purpose."
Ning Yao remained silent, but finally spoke, "Yes! How can your life be compared to hers? Intentional or not, what difference does it make when she killed you?"
This time, it was Chen Ping An who was silent.
Chen Ping An uttered a "Hmm", his voice muffled.
He couldn't understand why those people were also human, why they could so casually end another person's life.
Was he just an ant in their eyes?
Chen Ping An couldn't figure it out. He smiled at Ning Yao, "Alright, thank you for the explanation, Ning. You're injured, and the town inn is not cheap. Just stay here, if you need anything, just let me know."
Ning Yao bowed to Chen Ping An, "Thank you!"
Chen Ping An stopped talking, but Ning Yao could tell he still had more to say.
Chen Ping An finally turned and said, "Ning, I've been thinking about it, I still want revenge. If, I mean if, if something happens to me, please tell my friend, Liu Xian Yang, and my brother, Chen Sui Nian. Every year, just help me clean my room, and let them live 'next to' my mother and father."
When Chen Ping An mentioned his mother and father, his eyes were filled with longing.
How Chen Ping An wished that he could be together with his mother and father during Chinese New Year, with himself as well.
Chen Ping An had thought about it for many years.
After his father and mother passed away, he was alone.
Ning Yao raised an eyebrow, "Do you know that your brother just went out to buy groceries, and he's going to cook for you? Do you know you just found your family? And your brother just found you?"
"Your brother really likes you. I can see it."
Chen Ping An was silent again.
He said, "I'll just give it a try."
"I know, but some things, I think I have to do it myself!"
Anything I, Chen Ping An, set my mind on, even ten oxen couldn't pull me back!
A burning fire within my heart, like strong wine searing my throat!
Why can you so casually take my life?
Just because you're an immortal?
Just because I'm a mortal?
Then I'll try, can a mortal kill an immortal?
Are immortals truly immortal?
The stagnant air in Chen Ping An's heart burned like strong wine, and he had to let it out.