Xue Han's reminder came from a place of goodwill.

Though he could be a bit sharp-tongued at times, over the years, he had never harmed Tao Mian.

The Immortal listened silently to his close friend's well-intentioned warning, saying nothing. Xue Han thought that since Tao Mian had just sent off two disciples, he must be feeling sad and didn't want to speak too harshly.

"In any case, you should think it over. Whatever path you choose, it's ultimately up to you to decide."

Tao Mian remained silent, which made Shopkeeper Xue start to reflect on whether he had said something wrong.

"You..."

"If I were sold to the Thousand Lantern Tower," Tao Mian spoke slowly, as if pondering while he spoke, "what price do you think I could fetch?"

"........."

In the end, Xue Han kicked him out the door.

"Such a bad temper," Tao Mian muttered outside the door, "weren't we having a nice chat? What's the rush?"

He looked around, hoping to find someone to take him to his disciple.

As if on cue, an elderly steward appeared before him, smiling warmly.

"Please, Immortal, follow this old servant."

Tao Mian followed the old steward to a guest room in the Xue residence.

His recently accepted Fifth Disciple was busy eating.

"Little Hua," Tao Mian stood in front of her, pondering, "I haven't seen you for a moment, and your face seems a bit rounder."

Rong Zheng rolled her eyes slightly, unsure if she was angry or choking.

Seeing her urgently searching for a cup to pour water, she must have accidentally choked.

Rong Zheng gulped down two large mouthfuls of water, exhaling with satisfaction.

"Little Tao, your friend is really nice. The maids here are pretty, the food is delicious, and they speak so sweetly."

"You're just focused on looking at pretty sisters and eating snacks. Can't you think about something serious?" Tao Mian's gaze wandered over the red and green pastries on the table, "Which one is tasty?"

"This lily pastry! And the dragon beard candy... the osmanthus cake is also good!"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The two of them enjoyed the food and drink at the Xue residence. After tasting one or two items, Tao Mian took a napkin to clean his hands.

Rong Zheng was still engrossed in eating, and most of the snacks on the table had ended up in her stomach.

Tao Mian couldn't help but advise.

"Little Hua, these snacks are sweet and greasy; overeating can cause bloating. If you like them, Shi Fu will buy them for you later. Or we can come back to Shopkeeper Xue's for another meal."

Rong Zheng seemed to realize she had eaten a lot without noticing, and she wiped the sweet crumbs from her mouth with some embarrassment.

"Oh dear, how rude of me. These things are too delicious, I couldn't help myself..."

Tao Mian found it odd.

"Though the snacks at the Xue residence are tasty, they shouldn't lead to such overeating."

"I've never tried them before," Rong Zheng reluctantly held a piece of white, soft, sweet osmanthus cake sprinkled with pale yellow petals, "Snacks like these make you gain weight. Once you're fat, you can't move freely, and someone wouldn't let me eat them."

Rong Zheng spoke lightly, but Tao Mian knew her past experiences were far from as carefree as she made them seem.

"When I was little, I wanted to eat them, but the person teaching me martial arts wouldn't allow it. One day, I passed by a young lady's boudoir and saw a plate of shiny pastries on her table. The lady took one bite and found it too greasy, so she told the servants to take it away. She and a roomful of people went out to fly kites, and I, outside the window, couldn't help but crave those pastries."

"Did you get to eat them?"

"I did, they were delicious," Rong Zheng squinted her eyes, savoring the memory, "Even though the cooks at the Xue residence prepare them better, that was the most delicious pastry I've ever had. But happiness always comes with a price. That night, I was punished all night."

"Just for eating a few pastries?"

"No, because I stole the young lady's things."

Even if it was something the young lady didn't want, it wasn't meant for someone like her, kept as a tool in the pavilion.

Rong Zheng held a cup of hot tea in both hands, blowing on it to cool it down quickly.

Tao Mian remained silent.

Until the woman waved her hand in front of his vacant gaze, calling out "Little Tao, Little Tao," repeatedly, bringing him back to reality.

Before he could speak, Rong Zheng pushed his hand away.

"Don't! Don't pity me! I'm happy enough to eat them now, I'm very content."

Tao Mian shook his head.

"I didn't intend to pity you. I've lived for over a thousand years and have heard a few tragic stories. The past cannot be changed, and though it can't make up for your past, dwelling on it will only bring unhappiness. From now on, Shi Fu will take you to enjoy good food and drink."

"Little Tao, I can't handle spicy food."

"......"

For the first time, Tao Mian realized that having a disciple with some education was quite important.

"We'll catch up on your studies when we return to the mountain."

"What! You promised not to force me to study?"

"I underestimated you before. Your ignorance is seriously affecting our master-disciple communication."

"Angry! I've been wronged! I'm going to eat so many snacks now that I'll burst, and that'll be the end of it."

"What a blissful way to go. Shi Fu wants that too."

"Little Tao, you're so sneaky! Competing with your disciple for food and drink! Ah! My dragon beard candy..."

Rong Zheng was upset because Tao Mian took the last piece of dragon beard candy from the plate, and she earnestly explained to Tao Mian.

"Even though dragon beard candy is all the same, the last piece is different from the others."

"How is it different?"

"Well..." Rong Zheng's feeling was vague, and it was hard for her to articulate it, a disadvantage of being uneducated, "It's just different."

"That makes sense."

Tao Mian let her words go in one ear and out the other, responding to everything with "makes sense," and then ate the last butterfly pastry.

"......"

After a friendly exchange between master and disciple, the next day, Tao Mian and Rong Zheng finally left the Xue residence, carrying a letter personally written by Xue Han.

Their destination was a place called Phoenix Rest Manor.

The two were in no hurry, enjoying the scenery and flowers from the carriage along the way, making for a pleasant journey.

By the time they finally arrived at Phoenix Rest Manor, it was already evening.

The manor was built against the mountain, perched on a jutting cliff, resembling a crouching tiger.

Tao Mian squinted at the manor.

Being an Immortal, even without using any spells, he naturally had a sense for certain energies and feng shui.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt a sinister aura about the place.

Before coming, Xue Han hadn't mentioned whether his friend was human, but chances were they weren't.

If they weren't human, would they fear these ghostly spirits and demons?

"Little Tao? Daydreaming again..."

While he was pondering, his disciple had already walked several steps ahead, cupping her hands around her mouth to call his name.

"Coming, coming."

Tao Mian responded, temporarily setting aside his doubts.

When they reached the manor's entrance, his uneasy feeling deepened.

Perhaps due to Xue Han's prior notice, before Tao Mian and Rong Zheng even reached the main gate, they saw a chubby steward waiting for them.

He must have been waiting for a while, as sweat was beading on his forehead, and he couldn't stop wiping it with a handkerchief.

The steward had sharp ears and heard their footsteps early on, greeting them with a smile.

But when he recognized the faces of the visitors, Tao Mian noticed his smile froze for a moment.

It seemed they weren't the guests he was expecting.

So who was he waiting for?