Zhou Fuxue walked out with a dark expression, looking very much like he intended to commit the insubordination of thrashing his own senior brother.
A moment later, a miserable shriek from Lu Qingkong echoed from not far away.
Ming Zhu didn't bother with them. He busied himself kicking the odds and ends cluttering the floor mats of the outer room to the side, barely managing to clear a space large enough for three people to sit. He then raised a hand to beckon the others over.
His junior brothers were each more fastidious about cleanliness than the last, but none of them gave Ming Zhu any attitude. They simply sat down with furrowed brows.
Ming Zhu thought for a moment, feeling that his hospitality was perhaps a bit meager. "Would you like some tea?" he asked.
Shang Yanfeng hummed noncommittally. "Well..."
Shen Hongchuan hurriedly interjected, "No, no need. We wouldn't want to trouble you, Senior Brother."
Ming Zhu felt he couldn't waste this opportunity to showcase his tea-making skills. Ignoring Shen Hongchuan’s desperate attempts to stop him, he happily went to the cupboard to rummage for tea leaves.
As he searched, he knocked around the various jumbled items in the cupboard, causing them to clatter and shatter. He spoke nonchalantly over his shoulder, "So? Did you come here for something specific?"
Shang Yanfeng said, "We are set to depart for the Jianglou Kingdom in three days. Hongchuan will be coming with us."
Ming Zhu tossed an object out behind him at random. It nearly struck Shen Hongchuan in the head, but he dodged it with a look of helpless resignation.
"Oh, I see." It was unclear if Ming Zhu was actually listening; he had practically crawled halfway into the cupboard. He muttered to himself, "I found it just a few days ago... where did I put it? Hmm... this? Gah, no. *Cough, cough*... what even is this thing?"
Shen Hongchuan remained unfazed amidst the racket. "You suddenly vanished yesterday, and we were all very worried—Senior Brother, maybe you should stop looking. We’re actually not that thirsty."
Ming Zhu gave a perfunctory "mm-hmm" in response. After a long search, he finally unearthed a jar of tea leaves that had been aging for who knew how many years. Clutching the jar in both hands, he glanced down at the scattered tea set on the table. With no hands free, he simply propped his foot up on the table and, with a flick of his toes, kicked the various pieces of the tea set toward Shen Hongchuan one by one.
Shen Hongchuan’s hands were quick as he caught them all in rapid succession. A look of exasperation crossed his face. "Senior Brother, are you even listening to me?"
"I hear you." Ming Zhu applied a bit of force to pop the jar open and began issuing orders. "Go to the spring in the backyard and get some water. Yanfeng, don't just sit there. Bring me the small stove from behind the door and get a fire going."
Shen Hongchuan: "..." He definitely hadn't been listening.
However, seeing Ming Zhu so enthusiastic, they didn't have the heart to dampen his spirits and went to carry out his instructions.
Fifteen minutes later, Shang Yanfeng and Shen Hongchuan stared in silence at their cups, which were half-filled with sodden tea leaves.
Shen Hongchuan, having lived with Ming Zhu before and grown accustomed to his "poisoning," sipped the tea—which was so bitter it made his vision go dark—without changing his expression. He praised him against his better conscience, "Senior Brother's tea skills are becoming more superb by the day."
Shang Yanfeng looked at him in disbelief, doubting they were drinking from the same pot.
Ming Zhu’s eyes crinkled into a smile. He took a few sips of his own tea, seemingly unaware that he might have used a few too many leaves.
Not only that, but Shang Yanfeng heard him muttering, "I might have put in too few leaves. I'll add more next time."
Shang Yanfeng: "..."
He began to suspect that the Red Lotus Spiritual Veins hadn't just severed his senior brother's sense of pain, but his sense of smell and taste as well.
After finishing his tea, Ming Zhu finally spoke. "I was a bit out of my mind yesterday. Did I hit you hard?"
Shen Hongchuan shook his head. He hadn't been hit at all, let alone hard.
"That's good." Ming Zhu thought for a moment and added, "Could you ask Master if we can set out a day early?"
Shang Yanfeng frowned. "Why?"
Ming Zhu twirled his porcelain tea cup between his slender fingers, appearing somewhat distracted. "Since we're able to leave, I naturally want to go as soon as possible. Why does there have to be a reason?"
Ming Zhu had always been prone to acting on whims, and Shang Yanfeng knew his temperament well. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I will go and ask Master."
Ming Zhu cast a subtle glance at Shen Hongchuan and urged again, "The sooner the better."
Shang Yanfeng nodded.
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside. The three turned to see Zhou Fuxue ascending the steps, his face as grim as still water. He stood outside the door, gave a slight nod, and said in a low voice, "Master has summoned us urgently to the Great Hall."
The group hurried to the hall, where Yi Fuju and Ye Weiyang were already waiting.
Ming Zhu stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Master. Has something happened?"
Standing to the side, Ye Weiyang seemed to cast a casual glance at Shen Hongchuan before looking away. He said with a half-smile, "That junior brother of yours certainly has good luck."
Ming Zhu frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
Ye Weiyang said flatly, "Nothing."
Ming Zhu felt a surge of irritation the moment he saw Ye Weiyang’s arrogant expression. His instinct was to walk over and punch him, but then he heard Perfected Master Guining speak from the high seat in a cold voice: "Pack your things. We depart immediately."
Everyone was startled.
Ming Zhu had wanted to leave as soon as possible, but hearing this, he actually frowned. "Master, you're going too?"
Perfected Master Guining gave him a cold look, huffed, and swept out of the hall with a flick of his sleeves.
While the others were left bewildered, Ye Weiyang spoke up in a detached tone. "The Wenfeng Pavilion just sent out a Jade Command. There has been movement from demon cultivators at Biri Cliff in the Jianglou Kingdom. Every major figure in the Five Continents whose name is worth mentioning is heading there. Even Zhou Mingzhong has changed his course to return. Naturally, your Master must go as well."
"Biri Cliff... demon cultivators?" Ming Zhu murmured.
Shang Yanfeng, recognizing the gravity of the situation, immediately ordered, "Everyone, go back and pack. We depart in one hour."
"Yes!"
As the others turned to leave, Ming Zhu suddenly said, "Yanfeng, you shouldn't go this time."
Shang Yanfeng turned back, looking at him in surprise.
Ming Zhu said, "With only our Little Martial Uncle left at Rizhao Mountain, I'm afraid it won't be secure enough. I'll feel more at ease if you're here."
Shang Yanfeng frowned. "Rizhao is protected by natural barriers and a boundary array. Even a reclusive grandmaster couldn't simply barge in. Senior Brother, what are you talking about?"
Ming Zhu was merely acting on instinct. He smiled at Shang Yanfeng and said, "Be good. If I tell you not to go, then listen to me. I'll bring you back something delicious."
Shang Yanfeng felt helpless, but he wasn't the type to clamor for a chance to roam the world. Spending that time in closed-door cultivation was just as well. He nodded and turned to leave.
Before Ming Zhu could even turn around, he felt Ye Weiyang staring at him from behind with a cold, resentful gaze.
Ming Zhu looked at him strangely. "What's wrong with you now? Why is your temper getting more and more erratic? I don't know how Weiai puts up with your foul mood."
Ye Weiyang asked, "Why did you make Shang Yanfeng stay behind? Do you... know something again?"
It seemed they all loved asking Ming Zhu that question. This time, however, Ming Zhu looked genuinely bewildered. "What should I know? I just don't want Rizhao Mountain left unguarded. Although Little Martial Uncle has high seniority, his spiritual power is weak. I'm leaving someone behind just in case. What's wrong with that?"
Ye Weiyang could see that he truly didn't know anything, so he kept his mouth shut to avoid saying something he shouldn't.
Ming Zhu’s eyes darted around, and then he grinningly draped an arm around Ye Weiyang’s neck, leaning half his weight onto him. "Weiyang, Weiyang, you love me the most. Quick, tell me, what's the deal with those demon cultivators? Didn't they say demon cultivators were wiped out hundreds of years ago? Are we going there to watch a show, or are we going to our deaths?"
Ye Weiyang expressionlessly pushed away the face that was trying to nuzzle into his neck. He remained unmoved, his face a mask of coldness. "Don't start with me. I don't love you at all, and I don't know anything."
Ming Zhu immediately pushed him away and fastidiously brushed off his clothes as if they had been soiled. He muttered, "Tch! A waste of my affection."
Ye Weiyang: "..." You brat!
An hour later, at the gates of Rizhao Mountain, Lu Qingkong placed a palm-sized miniature kite on the ground and silently recited an incantation. In the next instant, a sharp screech pierced the air as a massive Sky-Kite rose from the spot. Because the kite was a living construct, its giant wings fluttered slightly after opening, though they were bound by the dense runes Lu Qingkong had carved into them.
Once Lu Qingkong had deployed the Sky-Kite, Younü immediately lunged forward and hung off his neck, swinging back and forth. She cried out happily, "Ninth Senior Brother! Ninth Senior Brother is so amazing! Too amazing! Younü loves Ninth Senior Brother so much!"
A flush of embarrassment instantly crept onto Lu Qingkong’s boastful face, his ears turning red. He seemed to want to shake her off but couldn't bring himself to do it. He could only snap, "G-get down! You have no sense of decorum or upbringing! Where are your manners?!"
Lu Qingkong himself didn't have much in the way of manners, but for some reason, he possessed the confidence to frequently scold others for the same.
After all these years, Younü had long since grown accustomed to his duplicity. Hearing this, she didn't get down; instead, she giggled and leaned in, pressing a light kiss to his lips.
Lu Qingkong: "..."
Lu Qingkong froze for a moment, his entire face turning scarlet. When he came to his senses, he abruptly shoved Younü away and scrambled onto the Sky-Kite in a panic. He picked a room at random, slammed the door shut, and refused to come out again.
Younü giggled on the sidelines.
Ming Fuhua remained expressionless. Seeing this, she gently patted Younü’s hair and said softly, "Don't bully him."
Younü blinked. "Eldest Senior Sister, I'm not bullying him. I like him."
By then, everyone had arrived. Seeing the massive Sky-Kite resting on the open ground, they all voiced their admiration.
Lu Qingkong’s Sky-Kite was modeled after those of the Jianglou Kingdom. Two rows of rooms were built onto its broad back. While not as luxurious as the ones from Jianglou, it was extremely exquisite, clearly the result of much hard work.
The group stepped onto the lowered wings and found their respective rooms to drop off their belongings.
Between the two rows of rooms was a spacious central deck with floor mats, large enough to accommodate dozens of people.
After Ming Zhu put his luggage in his room, he wandered out leisurely. Seeing Shen Hongchuan, Zhou Fuxue, and Yi Fuju sitting on the mats chatting, he walked over and asked, "Where's Old Nine?"
Shen Hongchuan said, "In the room at the very end. I called him for ages, but he refuses to come out. Forget about him. Senior Brother, aren't you afraid of heights? Why do you seem to be in a good mood this time?"
Ming Zhu’s eyes curved into a smile. "Because Master is here."
As long as Perfected Master Guining was present, he feared neither heights nor serpents. He held a blind confidence and reverence for his Master, believing that as long as he was there, nothing bad would happen to him.
A moment later, the heat finally faded from Lu Qingkong’s face. He stepped out of his room with a stiff, expressionless expression and activated the formation on the Sky-Kite’s deck. Soon, the great kite let out a sharp cry, its wings beat gently, and it soared into the sky, gradually vanishing into the distance.
Shang Yanfeng and Gui He stood at the mountain gate, watching the massive Sky-Kite grow smaller and smaller. For some reason, as the kite disappeared from view, Shang Yanfeng felt a sudden, strange pang of foreboding in his chest. It was so sharp he could barely catch his breath, only subsiding after a long moment.
Gui He asked, "Yanfeng, what's wrong?"
Shang Yanfeng pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the dull ache lingering. He frowned slightly and said, "It's nothing."
***
