Before I went into my nightly meditative state of relaxation (no, not sleep — what d'you think I am, a mortal or something?), I deactivated the Invisible Wall technique and lit a lantern. Those kids had to be gone by now. There was no way they'd stick around for a whole ten hours.

However, just as I started to settle into my meditative state, I sensed someone approaching. Not three people this time, just one — and it was the presence of that young head scholar, Xu Yun.

What the heck? Did he not know when to give up? Seriously...

Before he reached the Cave of Glittering Immortal Sarcasm, I amplified my voice and called out:

"Scholar Xu Yun. What is it you desire, coming here again when I told you not to? This immortal is about to enter a meditative state."

Xu Yun's shadow froze outside my cave. Slowly and reverently, he entered, then kneeled and bowed his head.

"Immortal Xia, this humble mortal scholar apologizes for disturbing you. This mortal scholar Xu Yun has come to ask you again to teach me and my fellow scholars your ways of wisdom, just for a week."

I opened one immortal eye to look at this kid.

"Mortal, I told you before — the wise ways you're talking about, I seriously can't teach you, all right? Find some old guy with a beard to teach you wisdom and arithmetic, or whatever. That's not my style. Now, this immortal is gonna go to meditative sleep."

Suddenly, Xu Yun keeled over and pressed his face into the ground, groveling more than I'd ever seen someone grovel.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Xu Yun! What the heck are you doing?!"

"High and Wise Immortal Xia! My fellow scholars and I have traveled far and wide to see you! We have heard tales of your power and might, but also of your intelligence and wisdom. We have heard how you resolve disputes with a wise hand and are removed from mortal affairs like a true immortal of wisdom. Please, this humble mortal begs you — please be our laoshi, even if only for a few days! We will not sleep in your cave or eat your food. We will sleep outside, and learn from you only when you are willing to teach. Please give these mortals a chance at understanding your wise and transcendent ways!"

I peeked at this boy again, while still sitting in a meditative stance.

My heart panged.

Whoo. That was weird. I hadn't felt my heart pang in a long time. The last time was probably when I almost got sold at that slave market. Or when I literally stopped breathing from choking on instant noodles, heh.

I rubbed my jade immortal temples and sighed heavily.

If they weren't sleeping and eating in my cave, and it was only for a bit...then it wouldn't be a big bother, right? Plus, even if I didn't have old bearded person wisdom to give, this kid really seemed to think I was wise. I liked that. Having someone around who thought I was wise could feel good, heh.

"All right," I relented, trying to sound as reluctant and weary as possible. "But only for a few days, or a week. And no way are you all stepping foot inside this Cave of Glittering Immortal Sarcasm. Not after I spent all that time renovating it. Got it?"

Xu Yun sprang to his feet with joy, his face bright. He was so excited that his scholar's hat almost flew off.

"Wise Immortal Xia! You are truly too kind, and too generous! This humble mortal scholar will go tell his fellow scholars the news. Thank you, Immortal Xia! Thank you!"

With that, he turned on his heel and hippity-hopped away.

"You better not come up here early in the morning tomorrow!" I shouted after him. "Or I'll set a deathstalking scorpion on you! I need my beauty meditative rest state! Basically, don't come until way after lunch? Got it!"

"Yes, Wise Immortal Xia! We students will visit you well after lunch! Thank you, thank you!" He made a weird whooping sound, and then he was gone.