The feast which began before noon extended till the end of the same afternoon. At the moment the sky was beginning to darken, ravens were croaking and smoke was rising out of huts as people were preparing supper.

The small committee bash came to a close as Zi Tao and his group of servants led everyone back to their respective resting places. The man who was originally anxious decided to drink away his worries to accompany Zi Muyue.

He drank as much as his bladder and constitution allowed him to, however; unlike this, unfathomable young elder he wasn't in the martial beginner realm. The latter didn't need to worry about food poisoning as she could manipulate magical energy to cleanse any bit of buzz as she kept gushing down more ale. Her father had to intervene and stop the informal contest, otherwise, the poor village chief would probably be embarrassed.

Zi Haofeng kept riling up the old man who didn't want to lose face. In this world, no matter how strong women were, drinking was thought to be a man's job. This was also the reason why Zi Muyun had to butt into this matter and save him from a disastrous defeat. He shook his head in resignation as he looked at this tomboyish daughter of his before calling it a day.

"This lass needs to get married before next year..." Those were the kind of thoughts crossing the middle-aged man's mind as he recollected events related to the untamable child. He couldn't picture her actively seeking for a husband or anyone in the young generation able to manage that fiery temper of hers.

At that rate, he would probably be three hundred years old before he even saw the trace of any grandchild. Not that he could brag either, as he was originally a cultivation freak himself. Despite how he looked he was more than two hundred years old and his daughter wasn't even forty yet...

...................................................

Night, Zi Tao's office,

"Can I offer you something to drink esteemed elder Muyun?" The polite village chief asked.

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"That won't be necessary, I only have a few questions mister Tao." Zi Muyun replied in a derelict way.

"Please, ask away." Zi Tao said nervously.

He had taken a bath as soon as the merrymaking ended but he would probably need another one after this. His back was sweating even more than in the afternoon. Being alone with this man in front of him was somewhat intimidating. Zi Tao didn't have too many concepts on spiritual strength and magical power, but even with his lack of knowledge, his instincts told him that this man was extremely dangerous.

"Mister Tao, do you perhaps keep a family book in your office?" Zi Muyun looked around for a bit and asked.

"Uh?...I mean yes, wh-why?" Zi Tao wasn't a stupid person. He was a quick thinker and realized something didn't suit if he was asked this type of question.

"Relax, mister Tao...I know my question seems a bit strange but there's something you need to know first." Zi Muyun smiled before rubbing the tip of his nose and continuing in a flaky tone:

"Mister Tao, perhaps are you interested to know how old this elder is?"

Zi Tao was taken off guard by this eccentric behavior and coughed to erase any trace of laughter springing upon his face. He closed his eye for half a second with a frown before he regained a clear mind and shook his head as a sign of perplexity.

Zi Muyun laughed boisterously for what seemed to be an eternity. Zi Tao was completely scared and confused. He only prayed the man wasn't laughing out of anger.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just that I'm a bit excited." Zi Muyun took out a handkerchief out of nowhere and wiped a small tear out of his eye.

"I'm the one who needs to apologize for being so boorish. Please accept my deep...."

"Now, now, Mister Tao stop with the sycophantic ways. I only came tonight to have a nice talk."

"Yes...but if I may ask how old are you, sir?" Zi Tao asked curiously. He couldn't help himself as he also wanted to have an idea of the depth of this man's cultivation.

"Who's Zi Baishang to you?" Zi Muyun suddenly cut him.

"H-How do you know of my great grandfather?" The man was once more shocked. He thought about it logically for a few moments before he said: "Haha, you almost had me. Esteemed elder heard about this poor old ancestor of mine in the clan's records, didn't you? I'm so honored to know you've done your research before coming."

"As I thought..." Zi Muyun's smile grew a shade brighter than before. He looked at the village chief and said:

"I think you're misunderstanding something here, mister Tao."

"Hm?" This time Zi Tao didn't assume anything and just waited for him to continue. He felt like he was riding a raging bull but the man kept surprising him again and again.

"He used to give me and my brother candy."

"............"