The New Year was around the corner, and Ning Yao asked Chen Ping'an why he wasn't preparing any couplets and door gods. She had wandered around the small town in the Jewel Small World back then, and she had found the New Year's atmosphere quite festive and enjoyable, a feeling that she missed.0

Chen Ping'an smiled and asked if the Sword Qi Great Wall even sold these goods, to which Ning Yao replied that he could write and draw his own.0

However, Chen Ping'an stated that he needed to adhere to local traditions and customs and shouldn't go out of his way to put up couplets and door gods.0

Ning Yao was slightly angry, not understanding why they needed to care about other people's opinions.1

Chen Ping'an once again stressed that they did need to care.0

Ning Yao truly became a little angry, so Chen Ping'an explained in detail the reasons behind his decision and, in the end, told Ning Yao to be patient regarding this matter. He was going to stay at the Sword Qi Great Wall for a very long time, so perhaps he would still have opportunities to do business pertaining to couplets and door gods in the future, just like how the restaurants and wine shops in the city all put up couplets and horizontal scrolls now.4

Only after hearing this did Ning Yao relent.0

Chen Ping'an visited the city wall again after recovering from his wounds, looking for Senior Brother Zuo You to continue his sword training.0

He learned his lesson this time, and he directly took a bottle of ointment with him, intending to treat his wounds on the city wall before returning. That way, no one else would need to see his scary-looking wounds, especially so close to the New Year. However, plans would often go awry, and Ning Yao made her way to the city wall at midnight after completing her cultivation at the Dragon Slaying Platform and not seeing Chen Ping'an return for a long time.0

When Ning Yao arrived, she saw Chen Ping'an lying on the ground ten paces away from Zuo You and bandaging his own wounds. He had most likely suffered...0