“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, misunderstanding—just a misunderstanding. I apologize to you on behalf of my son!”
“No problem, no problem at all! It’s good to have a sense of justice, as long as one doesn’t wrongly accuse the innocent, right?” Qiao San’s last sentence, full of hidden meaning, was directed toward the young noble’s official shoes, startling the father and son and causing them to look at Qiao San with more than just disdain and contempt.
“Haha… Outstanding youth, truly admirable!” The calm middle-aged scholar said nothing more, simply bowing once again politely to Qiao San. “Till we meet again!”
“Till we meet again!” Dandaan San deliberately stepped aside to the left, glaring at several subordinates who seemed ready to block their path.
“You, boy—you’re called Dandaan San, right? This young master will remember you!”
The young noble’s golden hairpin flashed before Qiao San’s eyes. Surprisingly, dressed like a scholar, he had actually dared to challenge a ruffian, leaving behind a few chilling words for Dandaan San.
“Till… we… meet… again!”
The vast sea stretched endlessly with brilliant blue waves. Suddenly, the roaring sea split apart, and flying foam soared into the air like a neatly aligned honor guard standing on either side mid-air, respectfully welcoming the beautiful immortal figure of the Sea Ruler and the leader of wandering immortals.
“Taiyuan, why don’t you stay a few more days? Let’s go back to the Ghost Forest and search again. Perhaps we might still find the Ghost Sutra… Ah…” The Sea Dragon Matriarch felt deep remorse 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 Jade Maiden Taiyuan smiled calmly, unattached to worldly gains or losses. Changing the topic joyfully, she said, “I’ve been away for quite some time. Calculating now, my disciple Xuannü will soon complete her cultivation retreat. As a master, I should return to Zifu Mountain to oversee matters there.”
Rarely seeing Taiyuan’s heartfelt smile, the Dragon Matriarch curiously asked, “You mean that ethereal and cold little girl from back then? Hmm, I remember. It seems the Holy Maiden of Zifu is about to emerge! Congratulations, Taiyuan!”
At this point, the Sea Ruler instinctively glanced at the young girl Xiao You beside her, filled with regret. “Xiao You’s talent is indeed rare, a once-in-a-thousand-years gift. Unfortunately, we didn’t meet her sooner! Ah…”
The atmosphere of parting sorrow subtly shifted. Taiyuan gently stroked the young girl ghost’s hair like a caring mother. 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, feeling deep helplessness toward the heavenly rule that separated the living from the dead.
Suddenly, the Dragon Matriarch exclaimed, “Taiyuan, have you noticed? Xiao You’s pure aura is becoming more and more like yours. Have you secretly taught her the Zifu immortal techniques these past few days?”
A faint movement of her jade-like lips, Taiyuan smiled silently and elegantly, her immortal beauty tinged with a touch of worldly amusement. “Dragon Matriarch, haven’t you secretly passed on immortal 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 grief—at least outwardly. Her tall, graceful figure surrounded by misty waves once again exuded an otherworldly aura, as if she had returned to her former self.
—Ah! A pity that this “fairy” is merely a lonely wandering soul.
A flash of sympathy and vague guilt passed through their hearts, leaving the two female immortals feeling a deep ache. Suddenly, a wonderful idea uncontrollably entered Taiyuan’s mind.
“Xiao You, don’t worry about being reborn. I and the Dragon Matriarch will definitely come down to the mortal realm in ten years to find you. Then we will both take you as our disciple together, thus not violating the heavenly laws!”
“Yes, brilliant idea!”
The Dragon Matriarch, more impulsive than Taiyuan, quickly fluttered her sleeves, her expression changing from affectionate to solemn. “Xiao You, become my disciple right now! Before you enter reincarnation, I shall imprint immortal techniques into your soul. That way, in your next life, you will progress much more quickly!”
“Well then… I shall stay two more days!” The two great immortals grew increasingly fond of Xiao You, going to great lengths for her and even bending the heavenly laws.
“Wu… Honored Masters above, disciple Xiao You greets you! Wu…”
Her eyes filled with excitement, warm and aching, unfortunately, as a ghost girl, she had no tears to shed. Torn between bitterness and happiness, Xiao You finally felt once again the warmth of being cared for.
※※※※※※※※※
While Xiao You wept happily, the enemy she believed dead was actually thriving and enjoying himself in the human world.
Inside the Yihong Building, Qiao San had returned to this place of sensual pleasures. Naturally, Bingshan and You Tiao were off enjoying themselves among the courtesans, having a wonderful time. Poor Dandaan San, having already enjoyed a grand feast, simply couldn’t find any interest in these ordinary, mundane beauties.
No matter how hard this local bully searched, he couldn’t find any trace of You Niang. Absentmindedly, Qiao San entered the very room from that day, reminiscing with a sigh in the cold, quiet 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 descended upon the earth.
“Boss! Boss!” A thin, small ruffian burst breathlessly into the pleasure house, shouting loudly from afar, “Great news! Great news!”
“Xiao Jiu, stop screeching like a ghost. Drink some tea first and catch your breath!” Qiao San’s eyes, hidden beneath his apparent impatience, showed no sign of joy at the so-called “good news” brought by the small-time hooligs.
“Boss, all the big gang leaders have invited you to a meeting at the City God Temple at Xu 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 and You Tiao could react, a group of courtesans, pimps, and the madam had already surrounded Dandaan San.
“Oh, congratulations, Master San! Congratulations, Master San! From now on, Yihong Building will rely entirely on you for protection!”
The madam was especially generous, her aged face trembling with flattery as she groveled. “Master San, from now on, this place is 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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