Chapter 4 Unexpected
Zhang Xiaofan looked at the three of them with satisfaction, reminiscing about his childhood self and encouraging them, "Practice well."
Song Yan, Zhao Mutou, and Lin Xuan smiled happily at the same time, answering earnestly, "Yes, Seventh Senior Brother."
However, Song Yan kept babbling incessantly, looking like she wanted to devour someone, her eyes gleaming as she pried into various questions for Zhang Xiaofan. But these were all relatively shallow questions about cultivation and some curious anecdotes. Especially when she asked about the three-eyed Spirit Monkey, her excitement was palpable, making her fidget with excitement. It left Zhang Xiaofan flustered, not knowing how to respond. He hadn't expected to have a day where he would be left speechless.
Seeing this, Song Daren quickly intervened politely, saying, "Seventh, don't mind this girl; she's always been mischievous since she was a child. Her mother spoiled her, and as her father, I've been lax in discipline."
Then he gave Song Yan an angry look, and only when Song Yan shut her mouth did he start eating his food with gusto. As the food entered his mouth, its delicious aroma filled the air, making Zhang Xiaofan realize how captivating it was. It was much better than what his mother used to make, by countless folds. It was like having a chef from Shanhai Manor, completely on a different level!
"Seventh Senior Brother, the food is so delicious! It's amazing!" Song Yan exaggeratedly praised Zhang Xiaofan's cooking, not hesitating to give him a big thumbs up.
Everyone laughed, except for Wen Min, who glared at Song Daren with complaint. Inside, Song Daren felt as if he had been struck by a mother tiger, sending a shiver down his spine. Oh no, it seems I'll be sleeping outside tonight.
A slight smile formed at the corner of Zhang Xiaofan's mouth as he watched the harmony between his senior brother and sister-in-law, feeling somewhat envious. But right now, he urgently needed to know what had happened at Fox Ridge.
Recalling the collapse of Fox Ridge's stone chamber that day, he could only grab a small piece of green cloth from Bi Yao's body with all his might. The whereabouts of her body and the Heshu bell remained unknown, but in Zhang Xiaofan's heart, Bi Yao must still be alive!
Zhang Xiaofan looked anxious. "Senior Brother, what happened at Fox Ridge? Why is it being taken so seriously?"
Song Daren pondered for a moment before putting down his chopsticks. "When a disciple from the sect passed through the Fox Ridge Mountains during training, it happened to be dusk, and a drizzle was falling. There was an indescribable sense of oppression in the Fox Ridge Mountains, and even some high-level monsters were fleeing in all directions, as if they were being chased by something. The disciple, undeterred by fear, investigated the collapse of Fox Ridge and found a glowing teleportation array, about a yard high. The disciple tried several times to stand on the teleportation array, but nothing happened. Even when he attacked with his magic weapon, it remained incredibly sturdy, leaving no trace even with his full force. Not long after, he saw two dark objects crawling out of the teleportation array, morphing into countless tentacles, and attacking him. Fortunately, the disciple had decent cultivation and managed to escape by only losing an arm. Due to the seriousness of the situation, the sect leader paid close attention and ordered some elders to investigate. Du Bishu, the Sixth Junior Brother, was one of them."
Zhang Xiaofan frowned upon hearing this. He knew for sure that there was nothing suspicious about Fox Ridge collapsing that day. Even though he had often visited Fox Ridge before, he had never seen any teleportation array there! Could it be something that appeared recently? Zhang Xiaofan pondered, feeling the need to go to Fox Ridge again.
At this time, the bustling voices of Heyang City's Shanhai Manor filled the air, but the shopkeeper was already accustomed to it, knowing that the noise meant income.
In the eyes of the shopkeeper, there were two special guests tonight. One was a veiled woman in a green dress. Although her makeup couldn't be seen clearly, her captivating eyes hinted at her stunning beauty. With a graceful figure and skin like jade, the strong fragrance of a young girl emanated from her. And she seemed vaguely like someone; if Zhang Xiaofan were present, he would confidently say two words—Bi Yao.
The other was a burly man with various scars on his face, muscular arms, and sharp, intimidating eyes. He clearly wasn't someone to mess with! He was dressed in a set of silver-white armor, adorned with crystals. It didn't look like attire from the Central Plains, probably belonging to some regional general or guard.
The shopkeeper, stroking his somewhat white beard, glanced at them and continued to sort out today's bills. Until the two of them approached the counter to pay, dropping a glittering gold ingot and requesting two rooms.
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up as he quickly picked up the gold ingot to examine it. Feeling its weight, he then put it in his mouth, biting it with his slightly damaged teeth. The ingot couldn't withstand the pressure from the shopkeeper's teeth, deforming at the edges. The shopkeeper immediately knew it was genuine gold and hurriedly instructed the waiter to attend to the two guests well, afraid of offending them.
Before leaving, the shopkeeper kept bowing and smiling, "Please, come inside. Please. Take your time. Take your time."
The two of them followed the waiter up to the fourth-floor guest rooms of Shanhai Manor.
The woman in green and the armored man disappeared into the noisy crowd.
Until Jin Ping'er pulled Xiaohuan's hand, happily choosing a table near the window where they could see the exceptional moonlight tonight.
Jin Ping'er ordered steamed sleeper fish, diced chicken stir-fry, and greens, along with a pot of wine. She urged the shopkeeper to bring the food quickly. Meanwhile, Lao Gou Daoist, burdened with four packages of luggage and daily necessities, was accustomed to being a diligent servant.
Zhou Wenxian, needless to say, held his 'Immortal Guidance' staff and walked slowly towards them, occasionally complaining, "I've traveled all over the famous mountains and rivers of the Central Plains, yet nowhere is as comfortable as Heyang City."
After saying that, he took a deep breath and drank from his tea cup, causing his belly to swell so much that it almost burst the worn-out belt of his robe.
Xiaohuan squinted at Zhou Wenxian, too lazy to bother. Nowadays, she doesn't dare tell Zhou Wenxian to lose weight, eat less meat, and drink less alcohol.
She could already guess that Zhou Wenxian would retort, "I, Zhou Wenxian, don't have a disobedient granddaughter like you."
At this moment, Xiaohuan was gazing up at the bright moon on the windowsill. The moon was bright, the stars were sparse, and a shooting star swiftly streaked across the sky. Xiaohuan quickly closed her eyes and prayed, "Brother Xiaofan, are you alright?"
Jin Ping'er, fascinated, gazed at the now elegant Xiaohuan. After ten years of change, Xiaohuan was no longer the same. Although her hairstyle hadn't changed much, the two buns on her head remained the same, but when she smiled, her big peach-like eyes were particularly bright, her cherry blossom lips resembled flower petals, and her melon seed-shaped face was especially cute. Draped in a white dress, she floated like a fairy, graceful and without excessive decoration, exuding a gentle, spring-like aura that was pure and lovely.
As for Jin Ping'er, there wasn't much change except that she no longer committed evil deeds and even lent a helping hand with her sword a few times.
The four of them ate in chaos, and the remaining food and drinks inevitably led to another round of contention between Zhou Wenxian and Lao Gou Daoist. Xiaohuan and Jin Ping'er watched them quarrel as if nothing had happened. Only the shopkeeper curiously observed for a while before withdrawing his gaze and continuing to manage his accounts. It was rare to have such a peaceful and prosperous era, so he had to make money to support himself in old age.
As the night grew deeper and quieter, the stars and moon dimmed. The dinner had ended, and after a brief exchange of greetings, everyone went home. The Great Bamboo Peak was pitch black with scattered lights. A pair of lanterns hung on the eaves of the pavilion, casting a faint light on a man and a woman. At this moment, the two were quite close, able to hear each other's breathing, feeling as if something significant was about to happen. The atmosphere was very ambiguous.