Chapter 348: Qingshan City in Abyss River

Aqing was still curious about Gu Insect Art. After seeing the insects on the ground, she started talking to them.

An Long just smiled helplessly and said, “My little sister is a bit naive.”

Chen Changsheng nodded and smiled. “That’s good.”

Aqing watched the disobedient ants and said to Chen Changsheng, “They won’t listen.”

Chen Changsheng replied, “Of course they won’t obey when you first meet. It’s like a stray yellow dog you just picked up.”

Aqing blinked and nodded. “I get it. Like dad’s Da Mi. Da Mi is that donkey. Very obedient.”

Then she grabbed the ants, dug a small pit, put them inside, and watched them to keep them from leaving.

Chen Changsheng said, “It’s not good for girls to play with insects. Keep it as fun, don’t take it too seriously.”

Aqing frowned. “Why not good?”

Chen Changsheng explained, “To many people, some insects are gross and shouldn’t be looked at.”

“What’s ‘gross’?”

“It means dirty.”

Aqing opened her big eyes wide. She looked at the ants, then at the tiny bugs flitting around in the Peach Grove.

“But dad says… some insects are good. Some are bad.”

“That may be true, but most people don’t know. They only think bugs covered in dirt or ugly ones are dirty.”

Aqing grew unhappy. “Maybe they’re… less clean… than bugs.”

Chen Changsheng paused in surprise.

He finally nodded. “You’re right…”

An Long spoke up. “My little sister doesn’t understand much, Changsheng. Please forgive her.”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “No. I think what she said makes sense. She’s a good, pure girl. But that’s also a pity. The purer a girl is, the easier it is for her to get hurt in this world.”

An Long fell silent, then nodded. “Yeah, I worry about that too. But I’m afraid she might change if she learns certain things.”

Chen Changsheng paused. “She still needs to know eventually.”

An Long couldn’t bear the thought. “We’ll tell her later. Wait a bit… Wait a bit. Come on, Changsheng, have some food.”

Chen Changsheng said no more and quietly ate.

Midway through the meal, An Long brought out a jar of peach wine he brewed himself. Chen Changsheng eagerly drank two big bowls. He hadn’t had wine for days.

Later, Chen Changsheng offered to buy a jar for his journey, but An Long refused payment, insisting on giving it to him.

Chen Changsheng sighed. “Brother An Long, we only met by chance. You treated me to peaches, then a meal. How can I accept this wine too?”

An Long insisted, “It’s fine! It’s nothing valuable. All homemade. Don’t be shy, Changsheng.”

He pushed the jar into Chen Changsheng’s arms.

“I’ll pay, Brother. How about that?”

“No!”

An Long’s face flushed. “Changsheng, that offends me! It’s just a small jar of wine. Do you look down on me?”

Seeing his stubbornness. Chen Changsheng sighed again. “I can’t win against you.”

He had no choice but to accept.

An Long beamed happily as he saw Chen Changsheng off.

Seeing Chen Changsheng leave, Aqing ran out too.

“Ch-Changsheng!” she called.

Chen Changsheng turned. “What is it, Aqing?”

“When will you come back… teach me Gu… Gu…”

“Gu Insect Art?” Chen Changsheng asked.

“Yes!”

Aqing nodded eagerly. “Then, you teach me… okay?”

Chen Changsheng smiled. “Okay.”

Aqing still stumbled over words. She kept calling it “Gu Art” like grain, not insect. She dreamed of being the bugs’ master.

“Goodbye, Brother An Long.”

“Safe travels, Changsheng.”

Aqing waved. “Be careful! Be careful!”

Chen Changsheng carried the wine jar away.

As he walked the Peach Grove path, the jar swayed in his hand.

He glanced down and murmured, “Now I owe them kindness…”

But he didn’t know how to repay.

An Long seemed to lack nothing. And Aqing—maybe her innocence was for the best.

He’d figure it out later.

.

.

Abyss River had vast land, rich soil. People built towns near its waters and mountains. One city lay in Abyss River Prefecture.

In the old Jing era, it once belonged to Prince Yu, Yan Lin. Legend said he’d fought Emperor Jing for the throne and was banished here after losing.

Back then this land was called Barren State. Many sentenced here died halfway to the mountains.

Prince Yu arrived. His sharp eyes saw potential—steep mountains, easily defended, hard to attack. Here, he could live peacefully.

So he started gathering soldiers to rebel.

His first move was to build a city.

Boldly, he named it Prince Yu’s City.

It bustled with people—pedestrians everywhere, constant shouts from street vendors.

“Hand-woven cloaks…”

“Bamboo baskets here…”

“The finest ink brushes…”

The street Tea Stall felt calmer. An old man there vividly told stories to a gentleman in a green robe.

Chen Changsheng set down his cup. “What happened next?”

The old man said, “Prince Yu played ’emperor’ here awhile. But trouble was—hard getting in and harder getting out. So his rebellion plans stalled.”

“Maybe he got comfortable. After a few years he stopped drilling soldiers. Just enjoyed the peace here. Who wouldn’t love that quiet life?”

“Ah, but secrets always slip out. Emperor Jing had just taken the throne—young and vigorous. Hearing rumors, he sent armies marching straight to Everview Mountain’s foot. Within a year they flattened it.”

“So that’s how Everview Mountain Path got built,” Chen Changsheng murmured.

The old man stroked his white beard. “That day, Emperor Jing himself led the troops into Prince Yu’s City. Prince Yu trembled so badly he surrendered instantly. Later Emperor Jing banished him to Shangjing and locked him away for life.”

“Emperor Jing saw lush green mountains surrounding the place and renamed it Qingshan City—Green Mountain City.”

“Ah.” Chen Changsheng finally understood.

The old man chuckled. “Qingshan City’s better than the outside.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Much more peaceful. But sir, you run a simple Tea Stall. How do you know all this?”

The old man smiled, smoothing his beard. “Oh, just stories passed down. Learned bits here and there.”

Chen Changsheng shook his head, grinning. “I’ve seen enough people. Your way of speaking… You aren’t just a Tea Stall man.”