Chapter 37: Xiao Tian
Chapter 37: Xiao Tian
“Uncle Xue, do you believe in immortals?”
Zhi Hua, about to leave, suddenly remembered her recent experiences and hesitantly asked.
“Perhaps. Why?”
“I… had something happen lately…” She almost mentioned the scrolls but stopped herself. Uncle Xue might’ve painted them himself, and the events were too bizarre. No one would believe her—they’d think she was cursed. Besides, Zuo Meng’s shop had sold many scrolls. Yu Linglong, Headmaster of Suzhou’s underground, bought over ten. If there were issues, someone would’ve complained by now. The scroll only startled her without real harm.
“Two people came to Suzhou. They flew and released sword energy. Are they immortals?”
“Short flight doesn’t require immortality. Experts with strong lightness skills can do it. Sword energy? Anyone with enough inner strength or Sword Techniques can manage.”
Uncle Xue was just an ordinary person.
She shouldn’t pull him into immortal matters.
Recalling the “immortal methods” she’d learned lately, Zhi Hua grew more determined to protect him. At most, he’d once been part of the martial world—why else would he know about lightness skills? But even martial artists weren’t immortals. His seclusion must be to hide from old enemies. In her mind, Zuo Meng became a retired legend hiding in Suzhou as a humble scroll seller.
His shop once sold kingfishers and pets, but he’d given them all away to avoid the hassle.
“Uncle Xue, if immortals exist, do they live in the sky?”
“Maybe.”
Zuo Meng guessed her recent encounters had overwhelmed her. With no one else to talk to, she’d come to him.
“Go home early.”
“Oh! I almost forgot!”
The Little Girl hurried off.
After she left, Zuo Meng had barely sat down when another visitor arrived.
“Mr. Xue, you’re back?”
“Not long ago.”
He remembered Luo San from the Black Forest—a subordinate of Yu Linglong.
“Good you’re here. I’d miss your masterpieces otherwise.”
Yu Linglong smiled, chin resting on her hand.
“Since you’ve been away, I brought gifts.” She offered an ornate box.
“Spring tea from the south. I hope you like it.”
Zuo Meng took it without hesitation. He’d saved Luo San in the Black Forest with a breath of energy—this tea was fair exchange.
“Have you heard of the immortal battle in the Eastern District?”
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Yu Linglong sat across from him. “A sword immortal sought revenge but was blocked by a Taoist priest. The target fled, so the sword immortal fought the priest outside the city… They say it’s tied to Master Jie Ming, the traitor from Cold Mountain Temple.”
Zuo Meng listened silently, saying little.
“Thank you for your hospitality, sir. I always enjoy our chats,” Yu Linglong said as she stood to say goodbye.
“It’s your tea; I just boiled water,” Zuo Meng replied as he got up to see her out. This woman was an old friend; regardless of her background, she behaved properly in his shop.
“My apologies for the disturbance.”
“No need.”
After Yu Linglong left, Zuo Meng grabbed the door plank and shut the entrance. The money from Master Zhu’s deal would cover his expenses for now. He’d keep the shop open half-heartedly—fewer visitors meant fewer problems.
Woof! Woof!
Returning home, Zuo Meng found a small puppy dumped at his doorstep. The tiny creature barked fiercely, its babyish growls more amusing than intimidating.
“I’ll name you Xiao Tian Dog.”
Zuo Meng grinned at his own joke.
He scooped up the puppy by the scruff, handling it like a ragdoll.
“Feisty little thing. Let’s give you a purpose—guard my house from now on.”
Remembering how the golden silhouette had reshaped reality through laws, Zuo Meng channeled True Essence to his fingertip and pressed it against the puppy’s belly. Foundation Establishment energy flowed as warmth through the animal’s body—the demon awakening method he’d witnessed when slaying that bear demon in the Black Forest.
When Zuo Meng set the puppy down moments later, it didn’t bark. Instead, it nuzzled his legs with a wagging tail, eyes gleaming with newfound intelligence. Demon energy pulsed beneath its fur.
“So this is enlightenment through touch.”
Viewing the change through a creator’s lens, Zuo Meng grasped the technique’s essence instantly.
“Go watch over Zhi Hua. Return if trouble arises.” The demon puppy yipped in understanding before vanishing down the alley with the girl’s mental image fresh in its mind.
Zhi Hua had barely settled home when visitors arrived.
“Daughter! Prepare to greet Master Zhu with me!” A woman resembling her closely barged in, dragging her toward the door.
“I refuse to marry him!”
Zhi Hua shook free. Zuo Meng’s words about choosing her own path echoed in her ears.
Dislike meant refusal.
“This nonsense again?!”
Madam Zhi panicked. Had her daughter objected earlier, they could’ve avoided this embarrassment before guests.
“Fix your clothes! You’re attending this meeting whether you like it!”