Upon our return, the Celestial Master compiled a detailed report of our experiences in the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest.
This report was then submitted to the Lord of Nanhai City.
To honor us, the righteous individuals who participated, Jin Yulan specially hosted a grand celebration banquet in the Thousand姬 Hall.
The banquet was scheduled to commence in the evening.
We accompanied him into the Thousand姬 Hall and were given our former guest rooms.
Ali lay on the floor, appearing utterly exhausted.
I, meanwhile, sat by a small table, quietly enjoying the desserts laid out before me.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and two familiar figures entered.
"Brother Daolang, Brother Feixiong, what brings you here?" I exclaimed in surprise.
I distinctly recalled not having shared our room number with them, so it was quite remarkable that they found us.
Hearing the voices, Ali abruptly sat up and greeted the newcomers, "Brother Daolang, Brother Feixiong, you've arrived."
Daolang and Feixiong casually walked over and sat beside us. Daolang remarked, "This Thousand姬 Hall is truly vast; it took us quite some time to find you."
Curiously, I asked, "Didn't Young Master Jin arrange accommodations for you?"
"He did, but it's just the two of us. We figured it would be better to be with you," Daolang replied.
Indeed, with just Ali and me here, it felt rather quiet. Now that they had arrived, the atmosphere became livelier.
Feixiong looked at Ali, whose eyes were heavy with fatigue, and teased him, "Ali, what's wrong? Are you tired?"
Ali nodded slightly.
"If you're tired, then go ahead and sleep. We won't disturb you," Feixiong added.
Ali gave a silly smile and, truly drowsy, promptly fell asleep.
"It seems he's genuinely exhausted. Watching him sleep makes me feel sleepy too," I commented.
"Brother Feixiong, if you're feeling tired, you should sleep next to Ali," I suggested.
It was a good idea, and he suddenly felt sleepy. Stretching, he said, "Alright, second brother, Mu Ye, you two chat for a while. Ali and I will get some sleep."
Daolang waved his hand, "Go ahead and sleep."
Thus, Feixiong lay down beside Ali, and they both drifted off to sleep.
Daolang turned to me and asked, "Mu Ye, don't you want to sleep for a bit? You must be worn out from the past few days."
"I'm not too tired, Brother Daolang. What are your plans for the future, you and Brother Feixiong?" I inquired.
Daolang replied, "We'll continue as always, drifting like clouds and wild cranes, going wherever we please."
"That sounds wonderful, being able to go anywhere," I mused.
"And you, Mu Ye?" he suddenly asked.
After a moment's thought, I decided to tell him the truth. "I think I'll be going home."
"Going home?" He looked puzzled, unable to fathom where else I might go. "Back to Nanshan?" he asked curiously.
"As you know, I'm human. Naturally, I'll return to the human world."
"Is that so? Does that mean we won't see each other again?"
"I don't know."
Thinking about it brought a wave of melancholy. I felt a pang of reluctance to part with everyone I had met here.
Daolang seemed to sense my feelings of reluctance. However, he also felt that returning home might be a good thing for me.
In the ensuing silence, we suddenly heard a melodious voice from the doorway.
"After parting, longing for each other, the bright moon shines upon me, with true affection.
Asking about yesterday, the wind and rain paved the road, unknown the path.
Looking at today, a single bloom welcomes ten thousand prayers.
All things without tears, all things cease, why compare yesterday to today, seeking hardship."
Daolang and I looked towards the door in surprise.
There stood the Celestial Master, holding a pot of wine. We both exclaimed in astonishment, "Celestial Master!"
We hadn't expected him to come over as well.
The Celestial Master chuckled, walked in with the wine pot, and placed it on the table. He then casually sat down next to Daolang, naturally placing an arm around his shoulder.
Daolang smiled faintly and teased him, "Why have you come over too? Are you missing us?"
The Celestial Master laughed heartily, shaking his head. "As you know, it's boring being with those people. They're all competitive, and none of them are willing to drink."
Daolang patted his back and said, "I thought you were getting along quite well with them."
"Basically, out of necessity. By the way, why are you and Mu Ye sitting off to the side by yourselves? Is there some story I don't know about?" The Celestial Master suspiciously eyed the relationship between Daolang and me.
I quickly explained, "We're just chatting, nothing more."
Seeing my hasty denial, the Celestial Master couldn't help but laugh again.
Daolang sighed helplessly and shook his head. "The Celestial Master is still so mischievous. What could possibly happen between Mu Ye and me?"
"Hahaha, I just saw you two looking so glum, so I decided to tease you a bit."
Daolang chuckled wryly.
As the three of us were chatting and laughing, the door was suddenly opened again.
All three of us looked towards the entrance. The person who entered was none other than Jin Yulan.
"Young Master Jin?"
"Boss Jin."
"Boss Jin."
We each called out, all of us finding it unbelievable that he would come over.
Jin Yulan smiled faintly and entered, fanning himself. "A pleasant gathering for everyone, all together."
Master Zhang Tian Shi said, "Boss Jin, I didn't expect you to think the same as me. You also feel this spot is the best."
Jin Yulan lightly touched his lips with his fan, his smile sweet. He naturally moved to my side and asked, "Mu Ye, my arm has been tired lately. Could I rest it on your shoulder?"
Resting his arm on my shoulder? Why not. I generously replied, "Certainly."
He then sat down next to me, placing an arm on my shoulder. This involuntarily brought back memories of the embarrassing scene at Qingfang Tower. However, this time, it should be considered a proper gesture of support.
The Celestial Master cast a meaningful glance, a hint of a gossipy smile on his face, and muttered to himself, "This child Mu Ye, I didn't expect her charm to be so potent; everyone she meets is drawn to her. If you ask me, Liu Shinian and Jin Yulan are incomparable. One is a rake, the other a gentleman. If I were Mu Ye, I'd choose Boss Jin."
What a thought, but he seemed to misunderstand my heart. Only Ali truly understood.
Jin Yulan suddenly used his fan to lift my chin and look at me. I blushed instantly.
Daolang and the Celestial Master looked at this ambiguous scene with a hint of awkwardness.
The Celestial Master deliberately spoke, "Daolang, if you don't mind, why don't you come to my room? We can have a good chat."
Daolang replied, "Alright, I was thinking of taking a walk anyway."
Saying this, he stood up to leave. Jin Yulan suddenly smiled, put down his fan, and looked up at them. "Where are you two going?"
Master Zhang Tian Shi said, "Ah, we're going back to chat. It's a bit hot here."
"As the saying goes, the fallen flower has intent, but the flowing water is heartless. Even if I have intent, Mu Ye does not," Jin Yulan stated.
Why was he suddenly saying such strange things?
"We'll know if we ask," the Celestial Master said, truly enjoying the drama.
I hastily stood up, backing away, and waved my hands frantically, "I, I, I, no, no, no."
"Hahaha!" Daolang, the Celestial Master, and Jin Yulan all burst into laughter.
Jin Yulan smiled faintly. "Alright, stop scaring her. I just came to see you all."
He casually glanced at the two figures lying on the floor. Curious, he walked over, squatted down, and examined them closely, exclaiming in surprise, "They can sleep soundly even with all our noise."
Daolang chuckled, suddenly gaining some confidence, and said, "If Feixiong is tired, he could sleep through the sky falling."
"I think Ali also has some of Brother Fei's demeanor," the Celestial Master added.
"Indeed, they've been together recently, so they've learned a bit," the Celestial Master agreed.
"If you ask me, Mu Ye and Ali are quite well-matched," the Celestial Master remarked.
Hearing this, my face suddenly flushed. I hadn't expected him to think the same.
However, the Celestial Master didn't quite agree. "I think a beautiful woman should be paired with a talented man. While Ali is wonderful, compared to Boss Jin, he's still a bit lacking."
Daolang disagreed. "If you ask me, Liu Shinian is also good. One lively, one mischievous; that would make life interesting."
Jin Yulan smiled faintly and waved his hand. "I still think Ali is more suitable."
I stood to the side like an invisible person, listening to their heated discussion about who I should be with. In that moment, I felt somewhat redundant, as if they were the true protagonists of the story.
"If you ask me, Liu Shinian is better."
"No, no, no, I think it's Boss Jin."
"I still think Ali is a better match."
I sat on the floor, resting my chin on my hands, like a spectator enjoying the pairings they were creating for me.
Jin Yulan suddenly looked at me and asked, "Mu Ye, tell me, who do you like the most?"
This sudden question made me smile awkwardly. "Well, I, I also, don't, don't know."
The Celestial Master confidently stated, "Boss Jin, don't ask. It's definitely you."
I was somewhat speechless. Daolang countered, "No, no, no, it's definitely Liu Shinian."
This was very frustrating. Jin Yulan shook his head. "It's absolutely Ali."
This one I could accept.
They argued for a long time without reaching a conclusion and finally gave up in resignation.
Jin Yulan gazed out the window at the gradually setting red sun and said slowly, "There's a banquet tomorrow, and I still need to prepare. Let's end our chat here for today."
"Alright," they both replied in unison.
Jin Yulan suddenly looked at the Celestial Master and said, "Celestial Master, come with me. I'll need you tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll go then."
He then looked at me and said, "Mu Ye, we'll be leaving now."
"Okay." I wished I could escort them out right away.
After the two of them left, Daolang stayed for a while longer. He then woke Feixiong and returned to his own room.
The room was once again occupied only by Ali and me. However, fortunately, this night was not a lonely one.
The next morning, I remembered Liu Shinian again, and a sense of worry filled me. I left the room alone and walked down the corridor.
I leaned against the railing of the Thousand姬 Hall, gazing into the distance, my mind heavy with thought.
Suddenly, a clear male voice sounded in my ear. "The mission was completed successfully. It was indeed as powerful as predicted."
I slowly turned my head and saw Jin Yulan approaching. Facing his handsome face, I couldn't muster any happiness and said softly, "It was a fluke."
He seemed to have sensed my thoughts and my worry. He strolled over to my side, also resting his hands on the railing, and smiled faintly. He spoke directly, "Are you worried about Liu Shinian?"
I hadn't expected him to guess my thoughts so accurately. "Yes, I don't know how he is."
Jin Yulan looked at the sky, where the red sunset clouds were beginning to appear, and also thought of Liu Shinian. "I believe he should be able to let go of his past obsessions now and understand himself more clearly."
Indeed, he had been tormented by this longing for hundreds of years. Now that he had found the answer, he should be able to let go.
Jin Yulan turned back and looked at me. "Tonight's banquet will feature a spectacular dance. Xue Ji herself will be performing. Would you like me to take you down to see it?"
"Wait..." Before I could finish speaking, he took my hand and led me downstairs.
We arrived at a vast, circular venue that resembled a grand assembly hall. The hall was adorned with vibrant colors, depicting a giant peony flower. On the raised, tiered seating, small wooden tables were arranged, serving as guest seats.
I was mesmerized by the sight. It was truly beautiful, befitting the Thousand姬 Hall. Even the banquet was executed so perfectly.
As I admired the beautiful scene before me, I turned to share my thoughts with Ali. To my surprise, he was nowhere to be seen. I recalled leaning on the railing upstairs earlier, with Ali right beside me. Where had he gone?
I turned to Jin Yulan and asked, "Young Master Jin, have you seen Ali? I don't know where he went."
Jin Yulan placed his fan against his chin, thoughtfully recalling. "Let me think, I think I saw him heading towards the back hall. I'll call him over in a moment. You sit here. There will be a classical puppet show soon, something you've surely never seen before."
"Puppet show?" I wondered if it was similar to shadow puppetry.
As he spoke, he patted my shoulder, stood up, and said, "I'll go back now and help call Young Master Ali over."
"Okay, thank you." I sat in my seat, somewhat bewildered.
Soon, guests began to arrive one by one. The skylight above the main hall suddenly opened, revealing that night had already fallen. The moon tonight had arrived exceptionally early, like a dazzling, lustrous pearl suspended in the sky. The crescent moon was directly above the hall. Instantly, a bright, snow-like moonbeam cast itself into the hall, onto the circular stage, and onto the giant peony flower. In a daze, I seemed to see the crimson peony flower gradually unfurling.
Once all the guests were seated, Jin Yulan slowly arrived, accompanied by Master Zhang Tian Shi, Xian Lingyun, and others. They took their seats at the main table at the front.
Looking at the guests before him, he slowly rose and cupped his hands in a salute. "All of you present are renowned righteous individuals. This expedition to the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest not only uncovered the mastermind but also resolved the issue and ensured everyone's safe return. You have truly rid the world of a great harm and secured peace for the region. Today, everyone here is a hero and a valiant warrior; please drink and be merry."
After speaking, he raised his wine cup and drank it dry. Everyone else also stood up in unison, raising their cups together towards Jin Yulan and drinking them dry.
Jin Yulan announced, "Today, a unique banquet dance has been prepared for you. Please be seated and enjoy."
The guests then sat down, their faces filled with anticipation as they looked towards the center of the circular stage. Suddenly, from an unknown source, a chaotic drumbeat began. At this moment, a group of men dressed in white and wearing masks stepped onto the stage, tiptoeing to the rhythm of the drums. They formed two rows, spreading their arms and swaying as if in a gentle spring breeze. As the flute music joined in, the front and back rows crossed each other. The first row became the second, and the second became the first. Then, under the gaze of the crowd, these gracefully dancing men in white transformed into agile white cranes, flying back and forth on the stage. Just then, from amidst the dense flock of white cranes, a figure emerged. Dressed in a long, white gown like a camellia, holding a white folding fan, with lips as fiery as flames, and eyes that were enchanting and captivating, this person was Xue Ji. Xue Ji danced gracefully amidst the flock of cranes. The white cranes moved or flew freely around her, creating an ethereal presence, with only her magnificent dance revealing her extraordinary skill. Suddenly, the drumbeats grew more rapid. The white cranes flew at high speed, landing in an instant and transforming back into masked human figures. At this moment, Xue Ji flicked her folding fan upwards. The fan fell into her hand, and she transformed into a man clad in resplendent red attire, wearing a red mask.