Night Ferry, Lingxi City, the courtyard of the Vice City Lord’s private residence.

Chen Ping’an dozed off, unaware of how much time had passed. When he opened his eyes, he found himself inside the room, seated on a chair.

Beside him, Pei Qian softly said, “Master can rest for a while longer.”

The old scholar seated opposite stroked his beard and smiled, “Just rest, it’s fine. Stealing a moment of leisure amidst the busyness, the sky won’t fall.”

The Literary Temple and the Military Ancestral Court were already in chaos, requiring his return to preside over the overall situation. The old scholar simply pretended not to hear, not to know.

Ning Yao said, “Wu Shuangjiang has already returned to the Azure Netherworld Heaven. He left two spatial items for Cui Dongshan. All the compensation that could be given is inside. He said that for the items he didn’t have with him, Xiao Mo can unleash one sword strike and then immediately go to the Azure Netherworld Heaven, first to the觀道觀 (Guandao Guan – Observing Dao Temple) of 明月皓彩 (Mingyue Haocai – Bright Moon Dazzling), and then ask Senior Bixiao to accompany Xiao Mo to the歲除宮 (Suichu Gong – Year End Palace). This way, it will be a legitimate sightseeing trip, and White Jade City won’t dare to say much. Mister Zheng is still in the outer courtyard, chatting with Bai Jing.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. Directly opposite him sat the imposing figure of Jiang She. He tucked his hands into his sleeves, shifted his body to the side, resting his arms on the chair’s armrests. For a moment, he didn’t know how to speak to Pei Qian beside him.

Outside the door, in the courtyard, Zheng Juzhong returned the two flying swords, “Upstream” and “Downstream,” to Bai Jing and thanked her.

Xie Gou, completely unguarded, directly retrieved her natal flying swords, not worried at all about whether Zheng Juzhong had tampered with them. She grinned and said, “Oh, the grade has improved a lot. I should be the one thanking Mister Zheng. If there are similar opportunities for sword exchanges in the future, just say the word, and I’ll lend them without fail.”

Zheng Juzhong smiled faintly, “Courtesy demands reciprocity.”

Xie Gou spoke with feeling, saying, “Back in the day, sparring with fellow sword cultivators was the most boring thing. Apart from a worthless Dao name, there was absolutely no gain. I once forcefully peeled off multiple natal flying swords, but it was always difficult to refine them for my own use. They all ended up as waste. It wasted time and precious heavenly treasures, just infuriating. Those废剑 (fei jian – waste swords) could at most be used to scare people. Over time, my reputation became notorious, and everyone mistakenly thought I had seven or eight natal flying swords. Ha, it was all a misunderstanding.”

Zheng Juzhong had his own insight, “It was because you didn’t try enough times.”

Xie Gou hummed and nodded vigorously, “There were too few fellow Daoists back then with whom I could have a proper conversation. Sword techniques, Dao methods, cultivation paths, it was all me figuring things out blindly. If only I had met Mister Zheng earlier.”

Zheng Juzhong smiled but didn’t speak.

Xie Gou understood. If they had met earlier, either they would have become kindred spirits, or only one of them would have survived. With her temperament and patience, and Zheng Juzhong’s mind, as long as they developed killing intent towards each other, there would be no room for maneuver.

Xie Gou sighed, “That caused a huge commotion. Can you explain the process in detail?”

Zheng Juzhong shook his head, “More words won’t help.”

As they parted ways, Zheng Juzhong said something seemingly unrelated, “If done correctly, writing running script or cursive script can nourish the spirit.”

“Only writing small regular script consumes the most energy the more one masters it.”

“However, the advantage is that it’s suitable for long compositions. If written well, whether placed on a desk or hung on a wall, knowledgeable bystanders, the closer they look and the longer they gaze, the more their hearts will tremble.”

Xie Gou nodded and said, “I thought of this at Luopo Mountain and the One Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, but I just couldn’t make up my mind.”

She understood Zheng Juzhong’s intention clearly. Earlier at Luopo Mountain, seeing Yu Xuan accept the purple qi phenomenon bestowed by the Dao Ancestor, Xie Gou felt very uncomfortable. It wasn’t that she couldn’t stand to see others do well, but rather resentment towards her own lack of accomplishment. She felt ashamed of carrying a short sword, only to come to see the mountains!

Sword cultivator Bai Jing had too high a talent, too good an opportunity, and her cultivation was too smooth. Ten thousand years ago, in the human world, whether it was challenging others to sword exchanges or settling grievances, where did Bai Jing need any “long compositions”? Everything was like a short sword.

Xie Gou lifted her chin and said in a low voice, “Mister Zheng, aren’t you going inside to steady the situation? I’m afraid they might start arguing again and fight.”

Zheng Juzhong shook his head, “I’m useless in there. It’s not a place where reason prevails.”

Xie Gou was surprised, “Mister Zheng, why are you being so humble?”

Zheng Juzhong scoffed at himself, “I have always been ignorant of what emotion is. Family affection, romantic love, friendship, all of it.”

Xie Gou looked at him with pity and sighed, “It’s a bit pathetic.”

Zheng Juzhong smiled, “It’s alright.”

Xiao Mo in the distance had no choice but to speak up and remind her, “Don’t be so disrespectful when talking to Mister Zheng.”

Xie Gou put her hands on her hips and laughed, “Mister Zheng, listen, I haven’t even married into the family yet, and Xiao Mo is already trying to control me.”

Zheng Juzhong said, “Then I will thank the two of you on behalf of Palace Master Wu beforehand. He earnestly requested you to take care of Daoist friend Konghou.”

Xie Gou waved her hand dismissively, “Wu Shuangjiang’s words are unnecessary!”

She and Konghou, who served as the 編譜官 (Bianpu Guan – Compilation Officer), were good sisters, both from the same small mountain peak.

Zheng Juzhong looked at Liu Xianyang and nodded in greeting.

Liu Xianyang smiled brightly and cupped his hands in greeting to this master of Gu Can.

After Zheng Juzhong left, he beckoned to the girl in the mink hat, “Gouzi, Gouzi, over here. Chief Zhou, who has rendered great service, is looking for you.”

Gathered in Lingxi City, they exchanged information. Liu Xianyang explained the woman’s explanation, and Cui Dongshan shared some insights about the ancient battlefield ruins.

The girl in the mink hat frowned and trotted over to stand beside Xiao Mo, “What is it?”

Jiang Shangzhen looked shy and rubbed his hands, “Sect Master Cui intends to recommend me for the position of Vice Mountain Master. What are Second Seat Xie’s thoughts?”

Xie Gou rubbed her mink hat, frowned, and said, “Did Chief Zhou take a few punches from Jiang She to say something like this? Are your injuries serious? Don’t worry about the Vice Mountain Master position yet, hurry and see a healer.”

Jiang Shangzhen continued to recruit followers, lowering his voice, “Miss Xie, think about it. If I become the Vice Mountain Master, the position of Chief Attendant will be vacant. Who will fill that vacancy? And who should fill the vacant seat of Second Seat? Chief Attendant and Second Seat on the same mountain, a perfectly matched pair of immortal companions!”

Xie Gou rested her palm on her chin, seriously considering the matter.

Liu Xianyang urged from the side, “Gouzi, what’s so difficult about this? Don’t be petty!”

Xie Gou waved her hand dismissively, “Friends are friends, but rules are rules. You really have no say in this Luopo Mountain family matter.”

Xiao Mo’s brows were overcast. He asked with a voice transmission, “Sect Master Cui, Young Master lost so many natal objects, even that replica of White Jade City was shattered. If this isn’t a fundamental injury to his Great Dao, what is? How can it be compensated? The Dao book given by Palace Master Wu is good, but it’s ultimately a distant remedy.”

Cui Dongshan’s face was grim, “Liu Xianyang and Pei Qian were present just now, so I couldn’t say much. In fact, Sir even shattered those five-element natal objects. In the small world of his physical body, not a single natal object was left.”

Xiao Mo was furious, “Then why are you keeping Jiang She? Just kill him!”

Cui Dongshan felt deeply wronged and said helplessly, “This was a decision made by Sir, Zheng Juzhong, and Wu Shuangjiang together. Even Mistress Ning endured and didn’t say anything. What could I say? Even if I were to risk my life to offer advice, it wouldn’t matter.”

Although Xie Gou couldn’t hear the voice transmission, she sensed Xiao Mo’s abnormality and quickly advised, “Xiao Mo, don’t be impulsive! Mister Zheng just said that if we were to kill Jiang She on the spot, leaving only his skeleton, our Mountain Master would have truly and completely made a transaction with no return.”

Xiao Mo’s face was gloomy, “That Zheng Juzhong isn’t even a sword cultivator. Don’t give me that nonsense. Not killing Jiang She and turning him to dust is the greatest obstacle to his Dao heart. There will be hidden dangers in his future sword ascension. This is Young Master’s greatest loss.”

Xie Gou was also angry. She furiously rubbed her mink hat and widened her eyes, “Stinky Xiao Mo! I’m the one who decides this!”

Chen Ping’an’s voice transmission sounded, “What’s all the arguing about? I have my own plan. I’ll tell you later. Also, Xiao Mo, be polite when you talk to Gouzi.”

In addition, the three of them each heard a sentence of voice transmission, “Great Sect Master Cui, you’ve made another great achievement, haven’t you? I’ll settle the score with you later.”

“Who are you showing that sullen face to? Go and apologize to Xie Gou quickly.”

“Gouzi, be a little considerate of Xiao Mo. Forget it, don’t be considerate, he’s asking for a scolding. Just scold him.”

Inside the room.

The atmosphere was strange, unusually heavy.

The seating arrangements were personally made by the old scholar.

Here, sat the old scholar, Jiang She, and Wu Yan.

Across from them, sat Chen Ping’an, Pei Qian, and Ning Yao.

It was the old scholar who spoke first, “Ping’an, Daoist friend Wu Yan has roughly explained the general process and the reasons.”

Chen Ping’an, who had been tucking his hands into his sleeves, extended his hands when his teacher spoke, nodded, looked at Pei Qian, and said, “No matter what decision you make, Master understands, supports, and will definitely respect your choice.”

Pei Qian’s face was expressionless. She squeezed out a sentence through her teeth, “Then just acknowledge the cheap parents.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Speak your heart.”

Pei Qian lowered her head.

Ning Yao reached out and gently rubbed Pei Qian’s head, smiling, “Your Master has won, what is there to worry about?”

Pei Qian was about to speak when Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “I’ll make the decision on this matter, Pei Qian?”

Pei Qian nodded vigorously.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Jiang She?”

Jiang She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “You decide.”

Wu Yan’s eyes lit up, not hiding his gratitude.

The old scholar nodded slightly. This way, Pei Qian would be the least troubled.

Our Literary Sage lineage is, after all, the most protective of its young. Good!

The room fell silent.

There was really nothing else to talk about.

The girl in the mink hat swaggered to the door, knocked cautiously, and asked, “Mountain Master, Mountain Master’s wife, are you finished talking? Can I dare to interrupt?”

Ning Yao didn’t say anything. Chen Ping’an put on a stern face and nodded, “We’ve finished talking about the important matters.”

Xie Gou said seriously, “That’s good. This is about our Chief Zhou having an immature idea. Before the meeting in the Ancestral Hall of Jise Peak, we should have a private discussion first, so that when it’s officially on the agenda, you won’t oppose, I won’t agree, he won’t attach himself to the idea, and she’ll say we need to discuss it again, causing a commotion and endless debate, wasting the Mountain Master’s precious cultivation time.”

Jiang She had a headache. Who did Bai Jing learn this way of speaking from?

Chen Ping’an smiled faintly, “Then we’ll talk about it when his idea is more mature.”

Jiang Shangzhen became anxious and quickly stepped onto the steps, “Mountain Master, this idea of mine is a careful decision made after deep consideration!”

Xiao Mo stood beside Xie Gou and gently placed his hand on her head as she leaned in. Liu Xianyang crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame with a smile, saying that he must support Chief Zhou this time. He exchanged glances with Chen Ping’an inside the room, and Liu Xianyang gave him a thumbs-up. Cui Dongshan sat on the threshold, nodding like a pecking chicken, holding up two fingers held together, saying he could guarantee that Chief Zhou’s words were true. Jiang Shangzhen was confident. Promotion was practically a certainty. Wu Yan looked at Pei Qian, whose expression had softened considerably. Jiang She didn’t dare, or rather, restrained himself from looking at the opposite side. The man’s expression was merely gentle, and he gently patted his Dao companion’s hand. Ning Yao rested her chin on one hand and squinted with a smile, seemingly chatting with Pei Qian via voice transmission. The old scholar let out a long sigh, leaned lazily against the back of the chair, turned his head, and smiled as he looked towards the brightly lit doorway.

When the old boatman finally agreed to leave the sect’s territory by boat, the solitary small boat disappeared into the vast blue waves.

Qi Tingji carried a Azure Rainbow Blessed Land with him and was about to set off for Fuyao Continent to personally exchange Blessed Lands with Liu Tui.

He first went to the shed where Shao Yunyan, Madam Tuoyan, and three disciples were drinking.

Sword Immortal Shao still looked displeased. Qi Tingji didn’t bother to explain anything to him, only saying that he needed to go to Tianyao Village immediately. Then he went down the mountain to find Lu Zhi.

Earlier, Liu Tui had told Qi Tingji to directly take the Suspended Bow Blessed Land and not to make an extra trip. However, Qi Tingji said that this matter still needed to be discussed with Lu Zhi, Shao Yunyan, and the others. As he was leaving, Qi Tingji, who had promised to pass on a message, suggested that Tianyao Village might as well repair Bixiao Mountain first. Liu Tui pondered for a moment and made a decision, but he couldn’t help but ask if it would really be unnecessary and anger that Abbot?

Qi Tingji, however, said no more. Liu Tui gritted his teeth and immediately issued a decree to all members of the Ancestral Hall to fully repair the mountain!

Even if the old Abbot saw through his intentions, and taking a step back, even if Bixiao Mountain was to be taken back, he still wanted to give that old Abbot a complete Bixiao Mountain.

The problem was that a small portion of the treasures in the inherited “Multibag” had been either refined into natal objects by previous patriarchs or damaged during fights and life-or-death battles with others. This made Liu Tui extremely guilty. A messy account had been passed down from generation to generation to him, the current Sect Master. What should he do?

Lu Zhi brought her newly accepted disciple up the mountain. She was a little curious, “Why did you choose such a name?”

The girl smiled sweetly, “It’s a homophone. Cheng and Chen, sancai (three colors/talents) and sancai (scattering wealth).”

That person back then gave her a snake gallstone.

Lu Zhi thought for a moment and said, “I remember there seems to be a Buddhist story about the fifty-three visits of the Youth Sudhana?”

Cheng Sancai nodded and said, “According to Buddhist scriptures, he traveled through one hundred and ten cities and visited fifty-three virtuous teachers. He had great perseverance and great wisdom.”

In ancient times, before the dragon-slaying battle, if we were to talk about the abundance of treasures, especially the richness of books, the Dragon Palace claimed the second place, and no one dared to claim the first.

Seeing Qi Tingji coming down from the mountain, Cheng Sancai was slightly nervous. She performed a deep curtsey, “Greetings, Elder Sword Immortal Qi.”

There were countless Sect Masters in the world. How many of them had words carved on the city wall?

Therefore, she felt that calling him this might be more sincere.

Qi Tingji nodded, “I’ll talk to your Master for a few words. You can walk around and look freely, don’t be constrained.”

Perhaps it was because the title “Elder Sword Immortal” was appropriate, Qi Tingji’s expression softened, and he added, “Welcome to the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. I will personally write the谱牒 (pǔdié – genealogy/register) for the next Ancestral Hall meeting. Your apprenticeship ceremony will be held in the Ancestral Hall.”

Cheng Sancai’s face was full of gratitude, but she thought to herself that Elder Sword Immortal Qi was quite amiable, not as infamous and murderous as the rumors suggested.

After the girl left, Lu Zhi didn’t speak. Qi Tingji was carefully choosing his words. Earlier, Qi Tingji’s heartbreaking remark, “The Great Dao and life, how can they be taken lightly?”, wasn’t about Lu Zhi trying to break through two realms during her retreat, proving her Dao and directly integrating with the Dao.

It was about why Lu Zhi peeled off a natal flying sword more precious than “Baopu” and just gave it to someone else.

Who in the world, besides Chen Ping’an who had been the Hidden Official, could make Lu Zhi do such a thing?! I stole a few attendants and guest officials, and this kid pulls something like this?!

If Lu Zhi hadn’t said that she was also in a bad mood at the time, Qi Tingji would have probably said another angry remark: Are you trying to form a Dao companion relationship with Hidden Official Chen and give him a token of love, like those common folk down the mountain?!

Even if he would regret it later, he would deal with it later.

Even if Lu Zhi turned hostile on the spot, or even left in a fit of pique, defecting to Luopo Mountain, or leaving the register to become a rogue immortal in another continent, Qi Tingji would have to vent… Fortunately, the words reached his lips but were not spoken. Qi Tingji felt a little afraid at this moment.

Qi Tingji had thought that since things had come to this, they should turn the page. But seeing Lu Zhi, he still couldn’t help but nag a few words and complain,

“For example, when bringing people up the mountain, between master and disciple, when bestowing opportunities on the mountain, one must also see if the other person can handle it. The flying sword Beidou, is it something anyone can refine? Either a high-ranking Daoist who is compatible with its Great Dao, or a great cultivator of the military who often deals with death, only then…”

Qi Tingji was already feeling like he was being too motherly, so he stopped talking, surprised to find that Lu Zhi was not impatient at all, just listening.

Qi Tingji was puzzled and said with a smile, “Taken a disciple, in a better mood?”

Lu Zhi smiled, “You are the Sect Master. What does it matter if you say a few heartfelt words? I’m just not as smart as you, not heartless.”

Qi Tingji was speechless.

Lu Zhi explained seriously, “You were angry at the time. When you heard me say you were the Sect Master, you felt my words were prickly. But honestly, at first, when I chose the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect as my base, my idea was simple: just a place to hide away and be quiet. It’s better than going to another continent where there’s unnecessary conversation everywhere. But after staying here for a few years, I truly feel that you are a very competent Sect Master.”

Qi Tingji sighed with emotion, “So that’s how it is. I thought it would take at least a hundred years for Lu Zhi to feel a sense of belonging. It seems I’m doing a pretty good job as Sect Master.”

Lu Zhi said with a voice transmission, “I just remembered something. Lu Chen suggested that you shouldn’t be too anxious about integrating with the Dao at the fourteenth realm. Of course, if the timing is truly ripe, then just go with the flow. The arrow is on the bowstring and has to be shot. These are Lu Chen’s exact words, verbatim.”

Qi Tingji’s expression was calm, and he smiled, “Just listen to it as a suggestion. Don’t ignore it, but don’t take it too seriously.”

As for sword cultivation, how to cultivate swords, Qi Tingji had his own plans.

It wasn’t Qi Tingji who begged the Ascension Realm Great Demon for a head to use, or who begged for the words carved on the city wall.

Heavenly phenomena appeared one after another.

Qi Tingji suddenly looked up at the sky, straining to see into the distance.

Lu Zhi also wanted to discern more clues. She removed the illusion, shook her wrist, holding a “Nanming” in her hand and a “You Ren” hanging from her waist. A “Qingyu” (Blue Fish) born from the manifestation of sword Dao circled around her.

The sword light was too dazzling. Qi Tingji squinted his eyes. After a moment, he had to turn his head away, no longer prying into more celestial phenomena.

Lu Zhi finally managed to suppress her laughter.

Qi Tingji’s face was strained. After a long silence, he finally forced out a sentence, “As expected, the youngest Hidden Official in the history of the Sword Qi Great Wall.”

Lu Zhi laughed heartily.

The old sword immortal with a youthful appearance, his eyebrows relaxed, also smiled.

The bright moon hung in the sky, and a cool breeze swept through the mountain, which was filled with the silence of myriad sounds. Zheng Dafeng, like a county yamen clerk with a small official hat but a considerable official presence, walked to the old cook’s residence with his hands behind his back. Entering the courtyard, Zhu Lian was still lying on a rattan chair, covering his face with a fan, his hands folded over his abdomen. Zheng Dafeng moved a small stool and sat beside the rattan chair, somewhat puzzled as to why Zhong Qian and Wen Zixian hadn’t arrived yet even though it was already time.

The little boy in green robes flapped his sleeves. Before even entering the courtyard, across a wall, Zheng Dafeng heard his loud voice shouting from afar, “Old Cook, I’ve made another miraculous achievement! I just coaxed a divine maiden from Director Wei Youyou’s yamen. Her Dao name is Meizheng, her name is Zhou Hu. After my extensive persuasion, she finally made up her mind to cut ties with Wei Youyou and Piyun Mountain. She plans to build a hermitage on Huaying Peak of Jumping Fish Mountain and cultivate the Dao. Haha, shouldn’t you give me a good late-night snack? After I eat my fill and regain my strength, I’ll go to Piyun Mountain tomorrow morning to poach more people.”

He swaggered into the courtyard. The little boy in green robes was stunned. Brother Dafeng was even earlier than him. He was truly diligent in clocking in.

Zheng Dafeng’s face was full of conflict. He asked, “Old Cook, they always tease you with the nicknames ‘Noble Young Master’ and ‘Young Master Zhu’ from the Lotus Flower Blessed Land back in the day. Don’t you get angry?”

Zhu Lian smiled, “What is there to be angry about?”

Zheng Dafeng rubbed his stubble with his thumb, puzzled, “That’s not right. I get very angry. Is it because my cultivation of the mind is not enough?”

“Brother Dafeng, it has nothing to do with cultivating the mind. The reason is very simple, you’re genuinely ugly.”

Chen Lingjun cupped his hand to his mouth, “Think about it. If you say to Bai Xuan’s face that his realm is low, and he is currently only at the Dragon Gate Realm, he will definitely get angry with you. But you saying this to me is not worth getting angry about. Isn’t that the logic?”

Zheng Dafeng pushed away the little dog’s head, “I’m just not handsome, not ugly.”

Before going to Aiai Continent, Liu Xiang left a question for Zheng Dafeng, for Chen Ping’an, and even for Zhu Lian.

“Aren’t you curious why the martial artist ‘butler’ Zhu Lian is on the mountain, while the Daoist Immortal Officials are ‘guarding the gate’ at the foot of the mountain?”

Zheng Dafeng glanced out of the corner of his eye at the old cook covering his face with a fan. Never mind, why spoil the mood with such a thing?

Zhong Qian and Wen Zixian appeared at the courtyard gate. Chen Lingjun grinned and quickly ushered them in enthusiastically.

Zhu Lian lay still and said in a grumpy tone, “There are steamed cakes, crab meat xiaolongbao in the steamer in the kitchen. Figure out the dipping sauce yourselves. That’s all there is. Eat it if you want, get lost if you don’t.”

Zhong Qian was puzzled, “That’s not right.”

Was Little Mi Li’s intelligence wrong?

According to a certain menu record, the main course for tonight’s late-night snack was a large bowl of oil-splashed noodles, accompanied by a few small dishes, such as crispy pickled cucumbers, wild garlic fried with chili sauce… He even brought two pots of Shaoxing wine. Could it be that Little Mi Li had falsely reported military intelligence, or was the old cook deliberately slacking off?

Zheng Dafeng rarely admired anyone, but this Chief Zhong, who was still chewing on a toothpick, certainly counted as one.

This martial artist from the Lotus Root Blessed Land was already the leader of the “Late-Night Snack Line” of Luopo Mountain, and he was very capable of winning people over. Everyone followed him wholeheartedly and could feast to their heart’s content.

Zheng Dafeng and the others had to go to the kitchen to find food themselves.

A little girl in black walked alone, humming a tune she had composed herself, towards the old cook’s place.

Tonight’s late-night snack battle must end in a great victory.

“Sleeping until full, the rooster crows, opening sleepy eyes, defeated by the quilt, another nap, the sun is high, doing a鲤鱼打挺 (lǐyú dǎtǐng – carp jump), carrying a golden carrying pole, holding a mountain-walking staff, slinging a cloth bag, going out to eat, walking slowly, happy and carefree, patrolling the mountain again and again, the sun goes down, the moon flies up, a joyful little immortal. If you ask who I am, I am the great water monster of Dumb Lake, the Right Guardian of Luopo Mountain…”

She dashed to the door, poked her head in to scout the situation, quickly ran to the other side of the room to hide for a while, found no ambush, and leaped into the courtyard, “Old Cook, is the opposing side’s late-night snack tonight strong?”

Zhu Lian, who had already put on his mask, stood up, placed the fan on the rattan chair, and smiled, “The enemy’s forces are very strong. Wait a moment, I’ll go to the kitchen to lure the enemy to the table.”

Only then did Little Mi Li notice Jing Qing and the others in the kitchen gnawing on steamed cakes. When they saw her, they were overjoyed.

Scratching her head, Little Mi Li said, “Old Cook, Sister Nuanshu will also be here later.”

Zhu Lian had already tied on his apron. While turning his head to signal the bastards not to be in the way, he smiled at Little Mi Li, “Alright, then I’ll have to show off a few of my special skills.”

A Daoist at the foot of the mountain, suppressing the mundane world?

Just then, a young Daoist with a wooden hairpin tucked into his hair ran to the courtyard gate, head down, bent over, gasping for breath, raising his arm, and laughing, “Better to arrive just in time than early! Count me in for the late-night snack tonight.”