“So, someone cursed the spirits to stay awake? With a spirit vessel?” Lin An asked. Wan Yu did a good job of explaining because his knowledge of cultivation subjects was quite vast for his age, shocking so, actually. He even explained it in a manner that Su Biyu and Lin An understood with ease.

Fu Ran was sitting on the edge of his bed next to Tian Han, while Wan Yu, Meng Xiao, Lin An, and Su Biyu sat on the second bed facing him. “That is exactly right, Lin An,” he.

Su Biyu raised her hand. She still seemed too shy to really look at Fu Ran, but she spoke with clear understanding, “But you dug for it, and didn’t find it. Wan Yu explained that they usually need to be close to the target, so wouldn’t it still be near the shrine?”

She has a good understanding and retention of new concepts, Fu Ran thought.

“That is correct as well. If the item isn’t present, the spirits should sleep normally. The range varies, but it actually has to be quite close. There are Ghost Lanterns in town, but they are much too far from the burial site to attract spirits to the city, so my belief is that the spirit vessel is carried. That way it is easy to lead them to Bei Zangli,” Fu Ran gave only a simple explanation, as his children had already pieced together most of it.

Tian Han stood up commanding attention. He gave a simple clap to his hands, the action resounding, and he said, “Then that means we still have work to do. But first, we should eat.”

“Breakfast?” Fu Ran asked.

“Shizun needs to keep his strength up, besides, I haven’t seen you eat anything since we left An Xian Yun Peak.”

“Tian Han’s concern for me is not needed, but thank you. Yes, I think we should eat.” Fu Ran looked over his four children. As long as he kept a good eye on them, there should not be any repeat offenses of serial kidnapping. Fu Ran stood giving a small, “Get ready,” to his disciples.

All four called unanimously, “Yes, Shizun!”

Wait. Four? Fu Ran locked eyes with Su Biyu and her cheeks were tinted red. Why did he feel as though he was suddenly being set up by at least one of his own disciples? He sighed. For now he didn’t know what to do with the girl, so it was acceptable.

He could afford to feed one more, especially with no intention of spending money near the auction house.

Fu Ran rummaged through his bedside table, and sleepily grabbed up his white bag of coins. He only barely recognized how dirty it looked, before he tucked it in his robe.

“Something wrong, Shizun?” Lin An asked.

“Never mind it. Now, if you five want breakfast, we should get a move on.” Fu Ran’s hand was already on the door, but he felt a harsh tug at his sleeve. He turned to Wan Yu, because the boy’s intense gaze carried concern.

“Shizun, are you going out in that?” Wan Yu asked.

Fu Ran looked to where the small hand had pointed. Oh. He was still absent-mindedly wearing nothing but his inner robes. His fingers rubbed his temples. He really had been running around like this, totally a mess. Tying up his hair, he properly dressed in the wash area.

The first order of business was to feed his line of ducklings, and then they would start researching more into a mobile target.

“I know a good spot,” Tian Han explained, catching Fu Ran by the shoulder as they left Twin Summits.

“Then lead the way.”

***

Tian Han’s recommendations never seemed to fall short, as even his restaurant choices held a certain level of class. It was bustling, though he had requested a spot farthest away from the rest of the dining citizens. The ambience was nice and calm, despite the loudness of the streets outside, and the scent of cooked food being prepared made Fu Ran’s mouth water.

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The room was a tranquil retreat, adorned with soft lanterns that cast a warm, golden light over the polished wooden surfaces. Delicate scrolls with flowing calligraphy hung on the walls, their ink strokes capturing the essence of a long-forgotten poem.

The air around him was filled with the tantalizing scents of breakfast being prepared. The fragrant steam from a bowl of jasmine rice curled up towards him, its delicate scent mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed tea. The tea was earthy and slightly sweet, with a hint of floral notes that added to the calming atmosphere.

As Fu Ran breathed in deeply, he could almost taste the layers of flavor in the air. The setting was perfect—a quiet refuge where time seemed to slow down, allowing him to savor each moment, each scent, and the peaceful ambiance that surrounded him. That was, if he ignored the barrage of noises directly around him.

There was no realistic way he could stay in the false calmness he created for himself forever, because sharing a table with children caused… chaos.

“Shizun, can I get this?” Meng Xiao was holding up a handwritten menu pressed over Fu Ran’s own menu, so that he was forced to look at it.

“Shizun, I think I want something sweet,” Lin An giggled.

“For breakfast?” Fu Ran quickly responded in shock. “And what? Meng Xiao I don’t care what you order- Huh?! That is too much pork! That is not for one person!” He had to blink a few times to reread the amount on the paper. “Family Plate,” is what it said. It easily feeds six.

“Hah hah hah, Shizun said he doesn’t care.” Meng Xiao’s cheeks were bright red and his eyes arched up like he had gotten away with something deplorable. Taking small victories in major inconveniences seemed to be his usual.

In addition to the rowdier two disciples demanding Fu Ran’s attention, Wan Yu was pulling at his sleeve. “Wan Yu, I already told you... Your gege can order for you.”

With a sullen look the boy turned to look at Tian Han. “I want this bun,” Wan Yu pointed to the menu and declared. Tian Han proceeded to reiterate both of their orders to the waiter.

Fu Ran’s hand hit the table roughly, shaking the furniture, but every disciple seemed unfazed. His actions were mostly ignored, but he still yelled, “Tian Han! Do not let him order just a steamed bun! He needs to eat better!” He barked angrily at the only other adult at the table.

Paper menus were being tossed around the table to the point where the server didn’t know where to look. Lin An was pointing out several different sweets she wanted to try, while Meng Xiao was speaking over her to order first. Pen in hand, the server scribbled to try and keep up with the amount of cakes and sugary treats the chefs would need to be making.

The scene left a pain at the forefront of Fu Ran’s head. He couldn’t imagine the amount of pain he would be in if he were to consume that much sugar first thing in the morning. Not to say he didn’t love them, too—He did!—he just needed a few hours to wake up first. Girls had a completely different rationale than him. Feng Meiying was the same way, and she could be found eating snacks at any hour of the day. Even when Fu Ran was still a young disciple, she would try to make him, and Zhi Lao, gorge on morning cakes. Shesui Lang was the only one who took them.

Amidst his wandering thoughts, Fu Ran noticed that the girl, who he temporarily adopted into the group, was looking at the paper menu for a long time. She looked more than overwhelmed. “Su Biyu, do you know what you want?” he asked.

She tensed up in her seat. “Um, I will have anything really. I am not picky.”

Lin An and Meng Xiao were getting a bit louder on the opposite side of the table. The whole restaurant could no doubt hear their childish arguing over who got to order first. He cleared his throat and said, “I’ll order for you. Do you see anything on the list that you want?” Fu Ran propped his cheek onto his hand and gave Su Biyu a comforting grin.

While speaking softly to Su Biyu, Fu Ran rolled up his paper menu into a small tube with a touch of malicious intent. He had gotten a sudden idea while stealing glances at his rambunctious disciples.

“Meng Xiao! You are so rude! Absolutely terrible,” Lin An cried.

“Hah hah hah! You were too slow as always. And why order so much cake? You're gonna get fat.” Meng Xiao laughed even harder when her cheeks went red. Lin An had opened her mouth to retort, but she clearly stuttered like she couldn’t find the right mean words to throw back.

Lin An was so flustered, she ended up giving a similar insult. “Well, all that meat is why you are slower than Wan Yu! You eat like a gross old man!”

Fu Ran kept a gentle smile on his face, but gripped one end of the rolled up menu. He lifted his hand and gave a moderate whack! And then another, one for each disciple. It would probably still make Lin An tear up but, but it wasn’t intended to hurt even a slight bit.

Meng Xiao held his head in surprise and yelled out a shocked, “Hey!”

Lin An copied him with a cry, “Shizuuun.”

“Behave, alright,” Fu Ran spoke. There was no annoyance or anger in his voice at all. In fact, he couldn’t wipe an amused grin off his face. He finally turned his attention back to Su Biyu. Her eyes were wide and her fingernails gripped nervously onto the edge of the table. Su Biyu was now the holder of the entire table’s attention, though her face seemed terribly pale at this action.

“I don’t know,” Su Biyu spoke quietly.

The teacher’s curiosity was audible, because he could barely hear her. “Hm?”

She looked pained to say it again, like she felt shame. “I don’t know — I can’t read it. I don’t know what they sell.”