My Shishu’s sudden appearance was quite unexpected for us.
Even more astonishing, however, was Shishu’s attitude towards this old Daoist.
Gousheng?
I recalled that on the way to the Black Demon Palace last time, Shishu had mentioned that Yunlong and Yunhu’s master was called Gousheng?
With this in mind, I looked at Shishu and the somewhat roguish old Daoist before me with a hint of surprise.
But the old Daoist seemed incredibly excited.
His eyes widened as he looked at Shishu approaching, and then he suddenly shouted:
“Tang, Tang Ge, it really is you, Tang Ge?”
As he spoke, he walked over from the other side of the stall.
Shishu rolled his eyes and continued,
“Who else could it be? Do you want me to reveal that you were secretly watching the Emei Sect Leader’s…”
Before he could finish, the old Daoist’s expression changed again, showing a look of panic.
He quickly raised his hand to cover Shishu’s mouth, saying,
“No, no, no, I believe you, I believe you…”
Seeing the old Daoist’s flustered look, Shishu smiled again,
“I heard you kid ran off to White Ox Mountain to cultivate in seclusion. Why have you come down the mountain again?”
The old Daoist chuckled a few times,
“A few days ago, didn’t I hear from my disciple that you had re-emerged into the martial world?
So, I came to see with the alliance.
Just passing by, just passing by…”
“Just passing by to see Emei’s Black Mantou?”
Shishu added dismissively.
Black Mantou? What was this inside joke?
We looked at each other in confusion.
Upon hearing this, the old Daoist’s old face flushed red,
“Tang Ge, don’t be so flamboyant. Are these juniors your disciples?”
The old Daoist changed the subject, turning to us.
Shishu glanced at us and nodded,
“These two are my disciples, Mo Ting and Chen Yao.
This is Gu Hui’s disciple, Qin Ze.
This is Yunxia’s disciple, Xia Qiu Xi.”
As he spoke, Shishu continued,
“This is my old friend, Gousheng.
Oh, no, Daoist Ju Cheng.”
Indeed, he was Yunlong and Yunhu’s master. I never expected him to be so roguish.
But since Shishu had introduced him, we dared not be disrespectful.
We cupped our fists and called out to Daoist Ju Cheng,
“Senior Ju Cheng!”
Daoist Ju Cheng chuckled a few times upon seeing our禮,
“I knew it, these juniors have an extraordinary spirit.
So they are disciples of Brother Gu, Brother Tang, and Sister Yunxia.
Then this 'Imperial Thunder Art' will be my meeting gift as an elder.”
After saying that, Daoist Ju Cheng extended his hand and grasped the book.
Suddenly, the book flew into his hand with a “whoosh.”
This scene surprised the onlookers.
This was the Art of Materialization.
Although I could also do it, I always needed to chant incantations before materializing objects.
But Daoist Ju Cheng, with just a wave of his hand, summoned it. His cultivation and power were clearly profound.
Daoist Ju Cheng held the book and then said to Old Mo,
“Nephew, this book is yours.”
Old Mo was very excited and moved, but he didn’t immediately reach out to take it.
Instead, he glanced at Shishu.
Shishu nodded,
“Gou, oh no. Uncle Ju Cheng is giving it to you, so just take it!”
Upon hearing this, Old Mo immediately cupped his fists,
“Thank you, Uncle Ju Cheng!”
After saying that, he finally took the Imperial Thunder Art, cherishing it as if it were a treasure.
At this moment, Daoist Ju Cheng spoke to Shishu again,
“Tang Ge, why don’t I see Brother Gu?”
Hearing this, a flicker of sadness crossed the eyes of both me and Shishu.
Shishu sighed without speaking.
Seeing this, Daoist Ju Cheng raised his eyebrows and looked at me beside him.
I didn’t hide anything and truthfully replied,
“My master passed away last year.”
Daoist Ju Cheng’s expression slightly darkened, and he sighed,
“Alas! I will visit your master’s grave to pay my respects another day.”
I nodded and remained silent.
From Daoist Ju Cheng’s expression, I could tell that his sadness was genuine, not feigned.
It seemed that in his younger days, he had a friendly relationship with my master and Shishu.
However, the death of Aunt Yunxiao and the revenge for Grand-Master caused my master and Shishu to break ties with these people.
After forty years, they had finally re-emerged into the martial world…
But soon, Daoist Ju Cheng’s sorrowful expression vanished as he looked at Aunt Yunxia and said,
“Sister Yunxia, how many years has it been? Your charm has not diminished!”
Then, he turned his gaze to the Sect Leader of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Daoist Qingshan,
“You too, effeminate one.”
Aunt Yunxia smiled and remained silent, but Daoist Qingshan’s face turned ashen.
He was now the Sect Leader of Dragon Tiger Mountain, in charge of the Daoist sect.
But here, in front of so many people, he couldn’t lash out.
He simply said in a deep voice,
“Ju Cheng, watch your words!”
Daoist Ju Cheng appeared indifferent and exchanged a few words with Daoist Qingshan.
I took the opportunity to ask Shishu,
“Shishu, where are you going?”
Shishu took a sip of wine, moistening his throat,
“To a meeting. We were passing by and decided to stop by. It’s about the Ten Thousand Year Alliance.”
Hearing the mention of the Ten Thousand Year Alliance, a surge of resentment filled my heart.
Besides the remnants of the new dynasty, the key reason for Qingdai’s injury was the Ten Thousand Year Alliance from the East.
There were too many people here, so I didn’t ask further, only gave a hum.
Seeing that it was about time, Shishu said to Daoist Qingshan, Aunt Yunxia, and the other,
“It’s about time, we should be going.
Gou, ah, Cheng, we’ll head off first. I’ll find you for a drink later.”
It seemed that Shishu was still not used to calling Daoist Ju Cheng by his name.
Daoist Ju Cheng replied, nodding,
“Alright Tang Ge, we won’t return until we’re drunk tonight!”
The two exchanged a glance.
Shishu chuckled, looking rather roguish.
He made a strange gesture towards Daoist Ju Cheng, tapping his left chest.
Upon seeing this, Daoist Ju Cheng also showed a roguish, even somewhat lewd smile.
He made the same strange gesture, tapping his left chest.
There were no words exchanged, but it felt as if much was being conveyed.
Old Mo and I, seeing this, felt that the two old Daoists were exchanging some secret code, but we couldn’t understand it…