One wave had barely settled when another arose.

The guests at the banquet were still reeling from the shock of the leaders of Sky's End Valley and Netherworld Hall clashing, and even more unbelievable was that someone actually dared to step in and separate them.

The two swords that flew out, one long and one short, clearly didn't belong to the same owner.

And it was only then that the owners of the swords realized their possessions were missing.

"Is that... my sword?"

As the dust slowly settled, Chu Liuxue and Tan Fang stood on opposite sides, glaring at each other, neither willing to back down.

It wasn't until that mysterious figure spoke that they both turned sideways, bowing respectfully.

"Shi Fu."

"Shi Fu."

It was their master?!

The crowd was even more shocked.

Chu Liuxue and Tan Fang had actually apprenticed under the same master.

The fact that the master of Netherworld Hall and the master of Sky's End Valley shared the same teacher was astonishing.

The guests couldn't help but turn their gaze to the person at the center of the conflict. Dressed simply, with a jade hairpin, he appeared quite young, almost the same age as his disciples.

Could such a young cultivator really be the master of both?

Tao Mian stood between his two disciples, his expression rarely showing a hint of suppressed anger.

It was the first time the disciples had seen Tao Mian angry, and they didn't dare to breathe loudly.

No matter how imposing they were outside, in front of their master, they had to bow their heads and listen obediently.

"A perfectly good banquet, turned into this," Tao Mian said, disappointed, "You two—"

He wanted to scold his disciples, but before he could, they were already apologizing.

"Shi Fu, don't be angry, it's our fault."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"It's all our fault."

...

Their quick admission of guilt made one wonder if they were sincere or just going through the motions.

Tao Mian, being astute, knew exactly what was going on.

These two had grown up under his watchful eye; how could he not know their little schemes?

Thus, the immortal was even more frustrated, sighed heavily, and left the banquet.

Chu Liuxue and Tan Fang exchanged a glance, their sibling-like bond rekindled after many years. She chased after him, while he dusted himself off, smiling as he reassured the guests, as if he hadn't been the one fighting fiercely just moments ago.

The immortal hadn't gone far. Chu Liuxue found him under a weeping crabapple tree in the courtyard after a short search.

Tao Mian was venting his frustration on the plants.

He broke off a branch, clearly agitated, as the falling petals mirrored his mood.

Chu Liuxue paused, then resolutely approached, standing by Tao Mian's side.

The master and disciple, one squatting, one standing. Tao Mian couldn't be bothered to look up, saying not to talk to him as he might lash out in anger.

Chu Liuxue said, "Forget it, banknote, don't make it hard on yourself. You just don't have it in you to curse people."

Tao Mian's ears perked up. Was she looking down on him?

He stood up, ready to argue with his disciple, to show her his vocabulary.

But as their eyes met, the usually reserved Chu Liuxue couldn't hold back and smiled.

"What are you smiling at?"

Tao Mian deliberately put on a stern face, questioning her.

Chu Liuxue shook her head with a smile.

"Nothing. Just realized, you're still you."

That's good.

This time, the immortal couldn't keep up his pretense. He mumbled, acknowledging it.

They sat side by side on the long bench in the courtyard, under the clear, moonlit sky, a perfect night.

They chatted idly, picking trivial topics, spending half an hour on nonsense.

Perhaps this was the unique bond between master and disciple. Life was harsh, and meetings were rare, so why not talk about happy nonsense to share a laugh?

Even so, Tao Mian keenly sensed that Chu Liuxue was more silent than before.

Among the four disciples who joined Peach Blossom Mountain—Gu Yuan, Yuan Di, Liuxue, and Suiyan—Chu Liuxue was the one who gave her master the least worry.

Chu Liuxue always knew exactly what she was doing, rarely acting impulsively. She had been a meticulous child since young. Tao Mian wasn't worried about her being deceived, but he did worry that her overthinking might burden her.

The immortals in the mountains didn't persuade those who wanted to leave. The world flowed like water, as it should.

But principles were principles. If one followed them too rigidly, wouldn't they become a walking corpse?

Tao Mian said, "Liuxue, the peach blossoms on the mountain have bloomed. If you have nothing to do, go take a look."

Chu Liuxue's eyes curved into a smile, "Alright."

This promise wasn't really a promise. She knew well that she might never have the chance to return to the mountain.

Even if she did, she'd be a sinner with blood on her hands.

But with the moon so bright and beautiful, why say something gloomy and spoil the moment?

The quiet Left Envoy suddenly appeared under a flowering tree, silent but noticeable to the two in the courtyard.

"I'm leaving, banknote," Chu Liuxue said, waving her hand as she walked away from Tao Mian, "When I return to the mountain, save a good pot of wine for me."

It was only after she and the Left Envoy disappeared beyond the moonlit gate of the courtyard that Tao Mian spoke softly.

"Not planning to come out yet? Or do you not want to see your master?"

The rustling in the flower bushes was the sound of clothes brushing against them.

At the same time, a young man's voice sounded.

"How could I not," Tan Fang emerged from the bushes, his tone a bit helpless, "Shi Fu, don't be too hard on me. I'm not good with words, never have been."

Tao Mian said nothing, patting the empty spot beside him for him to sit.

Tan Fang obediently sat down, shaking his clothes, causing a few wilted crabapple flowers to fall.

What to talk about?

When apart, there were a thousand things to say. Upon reunion, words were hard to find.

He didn't know where to start or what to say.

So he propped his arms on his sides, looking up at the full moon.

Tao Mian didn't want to break the rare silence either, counting the crabapple flowers on the branch in his hand. When he reached the fifteenth flower, Tan Fang spoke.

"Did Shi Fu only want to take Liuxue as a disciple back then?"

He finally asked the question buried in his heart for years. He already knew the answer but still hoped for a different response from his master.

But before Tao Mian could speak, he shook his head, as if avoiding the answer.

"No, Shi Fu, don't tell me. I won't listen."

He withdrew his arms, casually crossing his fingers on his lap, then looked at the moon again.

"Or maybe Shi Fu should tell me. I can accept any answer."

Tao Mian said nothing, and Tan Fang shifted three times, feeling embarrassed himself.

"I..."

"Yes."

The certainty in his master's voice made the young man's heart tremble, and for a moment, he didn't know what expression to make.

The immortal, fearing he might have misheard, repeated himself.

"Back then, I indeed only wanted to take your sister as a disciple, even though your talent was visibly exceptional."