“Zheng’er, step back! Don’t be rash!”
The middle-aged scholar with a square face gently shook his three strands of black beard, then slowly stepped forward. Facing Qiao San directly, he clasped his fists and bowed apologetically, “Sorry, sorry! It was a misunderstanding. Please accept my apologies on behalf of my son!”
“No problem, no problem at all! It’s good to have a sense of justice, just don’t mistakenly accuse the wrong person, right?” Qiao San’s last sentence, full of deep meaning, was directed toward the young noble’s official shoes, startling both father and son. The way they looked at Qiao San now was no longer filled with mere contempt and disdain.
“Haha… Young hero, I admire you!” Maintaining a calm expression, the middle-aged scholar said no more and politely bowed to Qiao San again. “Till we meet again!”
“Till we meet again!” Danchan San took the initiative to shift to the left and glared at several subordinates who seemed ready to block the path.
“Boy, your name is Danchan San, right? This young master will remember you!”
The young noble’s golden crown flashed before Qiao San’s eyes. Surprisingly, this scholarly youth had actually challenged a ruffian, leaving Danchan San deeply shaken by those parting words.
“Till… we… meet… again!”
The vast sea stretched boundless and blue for ten thousand miles. Suddenly, the roaring waves split apart, and spiraling foam soared into the sky like a neatly arranged honor guard, standing on either side mid-air to respectfully welcome the beautiful immortal figure of the Sea Ruler and the Chief of Free Immortals.
“Taiyuan, why don’t you stay a few more days? Let’s go back into the Ghost Forest and search again. We might even find the Ghost Sutra… Ah…” The Sea Mother always felt a quiet sense of guilt for not being able to help her dear friend.
“No need! When the right opportunity comes, the scripture will naturally appear!”
The pure and noble Taiyuan Maiden smiled serenely, untroubled by gains or losses. Changing the subject joyfully, she said, “I’ve been away for quite some time already. Let me calculate… My disciple Xuan Nu will soon complete her cultivation retreat. As her master, I should return to Zifu Mountain to supervise matters there.”
Rarely seeing Taiyuan’s heartfelt smile, the Sea Mother curiously asked, “You mean that ethereal, cold little girl from back then? Hmm, I still remember. It seems the Holy Maiden of Zifu is about to appear! Congratulations, Taiyuan!”
At this point, the Sea Ruler instinctively glanced at the young girl Xiao You beside her, sighing with deep regret, “Xiao You’s talent is also extremely rare, a thousand-year occurrence. Unfortunately, we didn’t meet her earlier… Ah…”
The atmosphere of parting sorrow subtly shifted. Taiyuan treated the young orphaned girl like a mother, gently stroking her beautiful hair. For this innocent girl who had just lost her family, Taiyuan felt not only sympathy but also genuine affection.
“Xiao You, don’t be sad anymore! Stay well in the Crystal Palace. When the time comes for the cycle of reincarnation, you can be reborn as a human.”
The two great immortals fell silent for a moment, both feeling deep helplessness toward the heavenly rule that separated the living from the dead.
“Zheng’er, step back, don’t be rash!”
The middle-aged scholar with a square face and three strands of black beard under his chin shook slightly, then slowly stepped forward. He looked directly at Qiao San, clasped his fists, and bowed, saying, “My apologies, it was a misunderstanding. I offer my son’s apologies to you!”
“No harm done! It’s good to have a sense of justice, as long as you don’t ‘catch’ the wrong person, right?!” Qiao San’s last remark, laden with meaning, was directed at the young man’s official shoes, causing both father and son to startle. Their gazes towards Qiao San were no longer filled with mere disdain and contempt.
“Ha, ha… Young hero, I admire you!” The calm-faced middle-aged scholar said no more, politely clasping his fists again at Qiao San, “We shall meet again!”
“We shall meet again!” Bold San actively moved to the left, glaring at a few subordinates who seemed intent on blocking him.
“Kid, your name is Bold San, right? I, the young master, will remember you!”
The golden crown of the frowning youth’s hair swayed before Qiao San’s eyes. The scholar-dressed youth actually took the initiative to challenge the ruffian, leaving behind words that made Bold San’s heart race.
“We shall meet again!”
The vast, blue sea roared as the waves suddenly parted on both sides, the splashing spray rising into the air like a neat honor guard, standing in mid-air to welcome the master of the four seas and the leader of the immortals with their stunningly beautiful figures.
“Tai Yuan, stay a few more days. Let’s go into the Ghost Forest again to search. Perhaps we can still find the ‘Ghost Scripture.’ Sigh…” The Dragon Mother always felt a hidden guilt for not being able to help her friend.
“No need! When the time is right, the scripture will appear!”
The pure and serene Tai Yuan Jade Maiden smiled leisurely, seeing gains and losses very clearly. She changed the subject with a hint of joy, “I’ve been away for a long time. Calculating, my disciple, the Mystic Maiden, is about to emerge from seclusion. As her master, I should return to the Purple Mansion Mountain to take care of things.”
The Dragon Mother, rarely seeing Tai Yuan’s genuine smile, couldn’t help but curiously ask, “Is it that ethereal and cold little girl from back then? Hmm, I remember. It seems the Purple Mansion Saintess is about to appear! Tai Yuan, congratulations!”
At this point, the master of the four seas instinctively looked at the little ghost beside her, expressing infinite regret, “Little Ghost’s talent is actually once in a millennium, it’s a pity we didn’t meet her earlier! Sigh…”
The atmosphere of reluctant parting quietly shifted. Tai Yuan Jade Maiden, like a loving mother, stroked the young ghost’s beautiful hair. For this pure young girl who had just lost her loved ones, Tai Yuan not only felt sympathy but also genuine affection.
“Little Ghost, don’t be sad anymore! Stay well in the Crystal Palace. When the time comes for reincarnation in the underworld, go and be reborn as a human!”
The two great immortals fell silent for a moment, feeling a deep helplessness towards the heavenly rule of “different paths for yin and yang.”
The Dragon Mother suddenly exclaimed, “Tai Yuan, have you noticed? Little Ghost’s pure aura is becoming more and more like yours. Did you secretly teach her the Purple Mansion Immortal Techniques these past few days?”
With a graceful, silent smile, Tai Yuan’s ethereal immortal face showed a hint of worldly amusement, “Dragon Mother, didn’t you also secretly pass on some immortal techniques to Little Ghost? Otherwise, how could her powers improve so quickly!”
“Little Ghost thanks the Empress and the Immortal Maiden for their great love. I hope in my next life I can serve and repay the two great immortals!”
With the help of time, Little Ghost seemed to have smoothed over her pain. At least outwardly, her tall, graceful figure surrounded by mist had returned to the ethereal appearance of one who does not partake in the mortal world!
——Sigh! It’s a pity she’s just a lonely ghost who resembles an immortal!
Sympathy and a faint sense of guilt flashed across the two female immortals’ hearts, leaving a sour taste. A beautiful thought uncontrollably surged into Tai Yuan’s mind.
“Little Ghost, go ahead and be reincarnated. The Dragon Mother and I will descend to the mortal world in ten years to find you. Then, we will both take you as our disciple, and it won’t violate the heavenly rules!”
“Hmm, a good idea!”
The Dragon Mother, more impatient than Tai Yuan, quickly shook her sleeves, her expression turning from doting to solemn, “Little Ghost, now bow to me as your master! Before you enter reincarnation, I will leave an imprint of immortal techniques in your soul mark, so in your next life, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort!”
“Then… I’ll stay two more days!” The two great immortals, growing fonder of Little Ghost, went to such lengths for her, even finding loopholes in the heavenly rules.
“Woo… Two masters above, your disciple Little Ghost pays her respects! Woo…”
Her excited eyes were already hot and sour, but unfortunately, the ghost girl had no tears to shed. The conflicting feelings of sorrow and happiness surged into her heart, and Little Ghost finally felt the warmth of being cared for again.
※※※※※※※※※
Little Ghost was crying in happiness, while the enemy she thought was dead was now wreaking havoc in the mortal world, living freely and happily.
In the Red Chamber, Qiao San returned to this place of pleasure. Naturally, Sesame Bun and Fried Dough Stick were indulging in the flowers and willows, having a great time. Poor Bold San, who had already feasted, couldn’t muster any interest in the common beauties!
No matter how he, the local snake, searched, he couldn’t find any trace of Ghost Lady. Qiao San couldn’t help but walk into the room from that day, reminiscing in the cold space, “Ghost Lady, Ghost Lady, who are you?! Why do I dream of you every night?!”
The bright sun set, and dusk slowly emerged from the earth.
“Boss, boss…” A skinny ruffian rushed into the brothel, shouting from afar, “Good news, good news…”
“Little Nine, don’t you dare howl like a ghost, take a sip of tea and rest first!” Regarding the so-called good news from the little ruffians, Qiao San’s eyes, hidden behind his restlessness, showed no hint of joy.
“Boss, the big bosses have invited you to the City God Temple at dusk for a meeting! Heh, heh… It must be about your promotion. We can strut around from now on!”
Before the little ruffian could finish speaking, Sesame Bun and Fried Dough Stick hadn’t even had time to join in the excitement, when a group of prostitutes, pimps, and the madam already surrounded Bold San, “Oh, congratulations, Third Master, the Red Chamber will rely on you from now on!”
The madam was even more generous, her old face constantly twitching, fawning obsequiously, “Third Master, from now on, this place is your second home. Whichever girl you fancy, this old woman won’t charge a penny! Heh, heh… Girls, hurry up and serve Third Master well!”
Her jade-like lips twitching slightly, Taiyuan smiled silently with elegant charm, her otherwise celestial countenance showing a hint of worldly amusement. “Sea Mother, didn’t you secretly pass some techniques to Xiao You as well? Otherwise, how could her powers have improved so quickly?”
“Xiao You is deeply grateful to both goddesses for your kindness. I hope in my next life I can serve and repay you both!”
With the help of time, Xiao You seemed to have overcome her pain—at least outwardly. Her tall, graceful figure surrounded by mist once again exuded an otherworldly elegance, as if she had never tasted the bitterness of mortal life.
Ah! Unfortunately, she was merely a wandering soul resembling a fairy!
A fleeting sense of pity and vague guilt passed through their hearts, leaving the two female immortals feeling a bitter ache. Suddenly, a beautiful idea uncontrollably sprang into Taiyuan’s mind.
“Xiao You, don’t worry about being reborn! I and the Sea Mother will definitely come looking for you in the human world ten years from now. Then we’ll both take you as our disciple together, and we won’t be violating heavenly law anymore!”
“Yes, that’s a great idea!”
The Sea Mother, more impulsive than Taiyuan, immediately fluttered her sleeves, her expression shifting from affection to solemnity. “Xiao You, become my disciple right now! Before you enter reincarnation, I will first imprint my immortal technique into your soul. That way, you’ll progress much faster in your next life!”
“Well then… I’ll stay two more days too!” The two great immortals grew more and more fond of Xiao You, going to such great lengths for her and even bending the heavenly laws.
“Zheng’er, step back, don’t be reckless!”
The middle-aged scholar with a square face and three black strands of beard under his chin shook slightly, then slowly stepped forward, looking directly at Qiao San with a respectful bow and said, “My apologies, it was a misunderstanding. I offer my son’s apologies to you!”
“No problem, no problem! It’s good to have a sense of justice, as long as you don’t ‘catch’ the wrong person, right?!” Qiao San’s last sentence, laden with meaning, was directed at the young man’s official shoes, causing both father and son to startle, their gazes towards Qiao San no longer filled with just disdain and contempt!
“Ha, ha… Young hero, I admire you!” The calm-faced middle-aged scholar said no more, once again politely cupping his hands towards Qiao San, “We shall meet again!”
“We shall meet again!” Bold San actively moved to the left, simultaneously glaring at a few subordinates who seemed ready to block.
“Kid, you’re called Bold San, right? I, the young master, will remember you!”
The golden crown of the frowning young man’s hair flickered before Qiao San’s eyes. Dressed as a scholar, he actually took the initiative to challenge the ruffian, leaving behind words that made Bold San’s heart race.
“We shall meet again!”
The vast, azure sea roared as the waves suddenly parted on both sides, the spray rising into the air like a ceremonial guard, standing in mid-air to welcome the master of the four seas and the leader of the immortals.
“Tai Yuan, stay a few more days. Let’s go back into the Ghost Forest to search again, maybe we can find the ‘Ghost Scripture’. Sigh…” The Dragon Mother, feeling guilty for not being able to help her friend, always harbored a sense of regret.
“No need! When the time is right, the scripture will appear!”
The pure and serene Tai Yuan Jade Maiden smiled leisurely, seeing through gains and losses with clarity, then turned the conversation with a hint of joy, “I’ve been away for a while. Calculating, my disciple Xuan Nu is about to emerge from seclusion. As her master, I should return to Purple Mansion Mountain to take care of a few things.”
The Dragon Mother, rarely seeing Tai Yuan’s genuine smile, couldn’t help but curiously ask, “Is it that ethereal and cold little girl from years ago? Hmm, I remember. It seems the Purple Mansion Saintess is about to appear! Tai Yuan, congratulations!”
At this point, the master of the four seas instinctively looked at Xiao You beside her, expressing infinite regret, “Xiao You’s talent is actually once in a millennium, it’s a pity we didn’t meet her earlier! Sigh…”
The atmosphere of reluctant parting quietly shifted. Tai Yuan Jade Maiden, like a loving mother, stroked the young ghost girl’s hair. For this pure girl who had just lost her family, Tai Yuan not only felt sympathy but also genuine affection.
“Xiao You, don’t be sad anymore! Stay well in the Crystal Palace, and when the time for reincarnation comes, go and be reborn as a human!”
The two great immortals fell silent for a moment, feeling a deep sense of helplessness towards the heavenly rule of “yin and yang being separate paths.”
The Dragon Mother suddenly exclaimed, “Tai Yuan, have you noticed? Xiao You’s pure aura is becoming more and more like yours. Did you secretly teach her the Purple Mansion Immortal Arts these past few days?”
With a graceful, silent smile, Tai Yuan’s ethereal face showed a hint of worldly amusement, “Dragon Mother, didn’t you also secretly pass on some immortal arts to Xiao You? Otherwise, how could her powers improve so quickly!”
“Xiao You thanks the Empress and the Immortal Maiden for their kindness. I hope in my next life I can serve and repay the two great immortals!”
With the help of time, Xiao You seemed to have smoothed over her pain. At least outwardly, her tall, graceful figure surrounded by mist had returned to her ethereal, otherworldly appearance!
——Sigh! It’s a pity she’s just a wandering ghost resembling an immortal maiden!
Sympathy and a faint sense of guilt flashed across the two immortals’ hearts, a beautiful idea uncontrollably surging into Tai Yuan’s mind.
“Xiao You, go ahead and reincarnate with peace of mind. The Dragon Mother and I will descend to the mortal world in ten years to find you. At that time, we will both take you as our disciple, and it won’t violate the heavenly rules!”
“Hmm, a good idea!”
The Dragon Mother, more impatient than Tai Yuan, quickly straightened her sleeves, her expression turning from doting to solemn, “Xiao You, now bow to me as your master! Before you enter the cycle of reincarnation, I will leave the mark of immortal arts in your soul, so that in your next life, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort!”
“Then… I’ll stay two more days!” The two great immortals, growing fonder of Xiao You, went to such lengths for her, even finding loopholes in the heavenly rules.
“Woo… Masters above, your disciple Xiao You pays her respects! Woo…”
Her eyes were already hot and sour with emotion, but unfortunately, as a ghost, she had no tears to shed. The conflicting feelings of sorrow and happiness surged into her heart, and Xiao You finally felt the warmth of being cared for once again.
※※※※※※※※※
Xiao You was crying tears of happiness, while the enemy she thought was dead was now wreaking havoc in the mortal world, living a carefree and happy life.
Inside the Red Chamber, Qiao San had returned to this place of pleasure. Sesame Cake and Fried Dough Stick were naturally indulging in the pleasures of the flesh, having a great time. Poor Bold San, who had already had his fill, found no interest in the common beauties!
No matter how this local tyrant searched, he couldn’t find any trace of You Niang. Qiao San couldn’t help but walk into the room from that day, reminiscing in the cold space, “You Niang, You Niang, who are you?! Why do I dream of you every night?!”
The bright sun sank in the west, and dusk slowly emerged from the earth.
“Boss, boss…” a skinny ruffian rushed into the brothel, shouting from afar, “Good news, good news…”
“Little Nine, stop your ghostly howling, have a sip of tea and rest first!” Regarding the so-called good news from the little ruffians, Qiao San’s eyes, hidden behind his restlessness, showed no joy.
“Boss, the big bosses have arranged to meet you at the City God Temple at the hour of Xu! Heh, heh… It must be about your promotion. We can walk sideways from now on!”
Before the little ruffian’s voice faded, Sesame Cake and Fried Dough Stick hadn’t even had time to join in the excitement, when a group of prostitutes, pimps, and the madam had already surrounded Bold San, “Oh, congratulations, Third Master, the Red Chamber will rely on your protection from now on!”
The madam was even more generous, her old face trembling continuously, fawning obsequiously, “Third Master, from now on, this place is your second home. Whichever girl you fancy, old woman won’t charge a penny! Heh, heh… Girls, hurry up and serve Third Master well!”
Her eyes filled with emotion, warm and aching, but unfortunately, the ghost girl had no tears to shed. Caught between bitterness and happiness, Xiao You finally felt the warmth of being cared for once again.
※※※※※※※※※
While Xiao You wept joyfully, the enemy she thought dead was now thriving and enjoying himself in the human world.
Inside the Yihong Courtesan House, Qiao San had returned to this place of sensual pleasures. Naturally, Bingshan and Youtiao were off chasing beauties, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Poor Danchan San, who had already feasted earlier, couldn’t muster any interest in these mediocre beauties.
No matter how hard he searched as the local gang leader, he couldn’t find any trace of You Niang. Qiao San unconsciously entered the same room as before, reminiscing with emotion in the cold, empty space, “You Niang, You Niang, who exactly are you? Why do I dream of you every night?”
The bright sun sank westward, and dusk slowly emerged across the land.
“Boss! Boss!” A thin, small ruffian burst breathlessly into the brothel, shouting loudly from afar, “Good news! Good news!”
“Xiao Jiu, stop yelling like a ghost! Have some tea first and catch your breath!” Qiao San’s eyes, hidden beneath his apparent impatience, showed no hint of joy at the small ruffian’s so-called good news.
“Boss, all the big gang leaders have invited you to a meeting at the City God Temple at the Dog Hour! Hehe… It must be about your promotion. From now on, we can walk around proudly!”
Before the small ruffian finished speaking, and before Bingshan, Youtiao, and the others could react excitedly, a group of courtesans, pimps, and the madam had already surrounded Danchan San.
“Oh my! Congratulations, Master San! Congratulations, Master San! From now on, Yihong will rely on you for protection!”
The madam was especially generous, her aged face trembling with flattery as she groveled to please him, “Master San, from now on, this place will be your second home. Whichever girl catches your eye, I’ll give her to you absolutely free! Hehe… Girls, quickly attend to Master San properly!”
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