Where is the Warm Spring

The days were too long, yet also very short.

Joy was fleeting, but time stretched endlessly.

Many melon seeds were shelled that day, but they were all eaten clean by the end.

The person who ate the most was quite surprising—it was Second Senior Brother.

Chen Baiqing stayed for just two days before finally bidding farewell to Chu Xingchen and heading off to the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect.

Since there was a beginning, there must inevitably be an end.

Before setting off, Chen Baiqing brought it up again, hoping that Second Senior Brother would accompany her to the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect—to swap out Cui Hao.

Chu Xingchen merely smiled at this suggestion and asked, As a senior sister, shouldn't you guide your junior brother?

Hearing this, Chen Baiqing was naturally completely handled by Chu Xingchen once again.

Perhaps Chen Baiqing still remembered how her master had first taken her to the Qingfeng Sect to see the world, and the very first lesson he had taught her: there is no need to feel psychological burden when bullying a fool.

In short, Chen Baiqing nodded and agreed to her master's request, taking along her trouble-making good junior brother.

Cui Hao did not follow immediately; instead, he temporarily stayed behind at the Tianyan Sect, waiting to rendezvous with Chen Baiqing once she made her next move.

After all, Cui Hao still had a pending task to deal with—Zheng Zhaoling.

Although Zheng Zhaoling hadn't actually explicitly demanded to see Cui Hao at the Tianyan Sect.

However, if his disciple could handle such a troublesome matter clearly, Chu Xingchen was more than happy to enjoy the leisure.

Idling deep in the mountains, losing track of the days, watching the morning sun rise and admiring the evening moon.

Zhuji Peak.

Zheng what... Bai Xuanling paused before continuing, That core disciple of the Yunmeng Pavilion is visiting today, isn't she? How do you still have the free time to come to my place?

Chu Xingchen narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the chessboard in front of him, and chuckled lightly.

Sister Bai, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?

Hearing this, Bai Xuanling narrowed her eyes.

I remember the last person who spoke to me like that was Lv Xuan, and he never dared to speak to me that way again.

Chu Xingchen coughed lightly. I fooled her back then, so meeting again would be awkward. If Cui Hao can handle it, let him handle it. If he can't, then I'll go.

It's just a pity that Xu Jin is acting like a scoundrel. He bailed on what he promised and refuses to come even when called.

Such a sincere brother in the past has now changed his colors. Truly, the world is going downhill.

Bai Xuanling was puzzled. That child shouldn't be that kind of person. Even Lv Xuan says he's honest. What did Xu Jin promise you?

Xie Lingyu walked in from the doorway, holding a few jade tokens in her hand, her tone somewhat helpless.

Chu Xingchen promised on Xu Jin's behalf that when Zheng Zhaoling arrived, they would apologize to her together.

Bai Xuanling burst into laughter upon hearing this.

You expect Xu Jin to take the fall for the trouble you caused? If it were me, not only would I come, but I would also beat you up right in front of Zheng Zhaoling. That kid Xu Jin isn't completely stupid after all.

Chu Xingchen took the jade tokens handed over by Xie Lingyu and said with a displeased expression,

What are you saying? We are brothers. Could he just stand by and watch his brother suffer? Is that still a brother?

Xie Lingyu reached out and lightly poked Chu Xingchen's shoulder, saying,

Well, I certainly don't see you suffering alongside your brother.

Chu Xingchen sighed softly and opened his arms toward Xie Lingyu.

That's naturally because my brother is living better than me. Lady Lingyu, my life is so bitter, come save me quickly.

Hearing these shameless words, Xie Lingyu sighed helplessly and could only gently pat Chu Xingchen on the shoulder.

Holding a chess piece in her hand, Bai Xuanling looked at the two who suddenly started acting inexplicably sweet and snorted coldly.

Shameless! Don't you know to hold back in front of your elders?

Lady Lingyu, someone is getting jealous.

What nonsense are you spouting, kid? What could I possibly be jealous of? Bai Xuanling gripped the chess piece tightly.

Chu Xingchen looked up, smiled, and blinked, saying rather playfully,

Ehehe.

Sometimes, not answering is even more infuriating than answering.

Naturally, Bai Xuanling didn't indulge him; she aimed the chess piece in her hand straight at Chu Xingchen's head and threw it.

Chu Xingchen didn't just sit there and wait to be hit. Bai Xuanling hadn't used any spiritual energy, and the force wasn't strong, likely because she still felt that Chu Xingchen's injuries hadn't fully healed.

Chu Xingchen simply raised his hand and caught the piece, though he didn't make any further provocative gestures in front of her.

Xie Lingyu felt that she was acting as a peacemaker more and more often lately.

She spoke up to change the subject,

Is it really okay to just let Cui Hao handle Zheng Zhaoling? Aren't you worried that Cui Hao might agree to some condition of hers, and you'll be the one who ends up having to do it?

Chu Xingchen smiled and said, If Cui Hao can do it, he can agree if he wants. If he can't do it, well, I wasn't the one who agreed to it, so Zheng Zhaoling can go find whoever is responsible.

Besides, Cui Hao is very clever. It's already a blessing if he doesn't swindle things out of Zheng Zhaoling; there's no way he'd let her take advantage of him.

Xie Lingyu shook her head. This Cui Hao is learning more and more of your bad habits. He'll understand once he suffers a loss someday.

Hearing this, Bai Xuanling raised an eyebrow slightly.

At the same time, she turned around and cast her gaze toward the Loving Family Peak.

Fellow Daoist Cui, we finally meet again.

Zheng Zhaoling was sitting in the same seat in the courtyard as last time, only this time, instead of facing Chu Xingchen, Xu Jin, and Daoist Yuyang,

she was now facing different people... and demons.

A flood dragon that only stared at the fruits on the table, stuffing spiritual fruits into its mouth.

A flower spirit that curiously observed her while eating sunflower seed kernels.

Cui Hao, wearing a gentle smile, poured tea for Zheng Zhaoling while also entertaining Qinghe and San Dong, whom he had gone to great lengths to trick into coming.

His master was unreliable and nowhere to be seen. If his eldest senior sister came, she might actually help Zheng Zhaoling. If his second senior brother came, he could only act as a door god—it would be better if he didn't come at all. His fourth senior sister was busy caring for Mr. Li, and Yun Li was still cultivating at the entrance.

Looking inside and outside the entire sect, he couldn't find a single reliable person.

Meeting Zheng Zhaoling alone was definitely not a good idea.

Left with no choice, Cui Hao could only find two mascots—one from the Tianyan Sect, and one from his own sect.

San Dong was responsible for acting cute to melt Zheng Zhaoling's heart.

He had cooperated with Qinghe when selling pills before, so if things went south, she could provide him with some backup.

Although he would have to treat her to a meal afterward, Qinghe's appetite would certainly be much smaller than Zheng Zhaoling's.

When the situation turned bad and he needed to play dumb, he would rely on Qinghe's keen eye to play along.

Since returning from Beiju Luzhou, I have also been looking forward to meeting you for a long time, Fellow Daoist, Cui Hao said, his smile as refreshing as a spring breeze and his tone gentle.

Although you and my master are of the same generation and I should rightfully call you Martial Aunt, having worked together in Beiju Luzhou, I feel that we are kindred spirits. I don't really want to call you Martial Aunt, as it would seem too distant.

As his words fell.

Cui Hao looked up, only to see Zheng Zhaoling staring intently at him, not replying for a moment.

Was this... tactic of pulling connections and talking about friendship failing?

Seeing this, Cui Hao smoothly adapted and said:

I overstepped my bounds, Martial Aunt.

Zheng Zhaoling's gaze shifted, looking at San Dong beside him, and she said calmly:

There's no need. Calling me Fellow Daoist is fine.

Although Cui Hao found it strange, he didn't hold back and continued his ingratiating smile:

Alright, Fellow Daoist. I knew you weren't someone who gets bogged down by trivialities.

Listening to the flattery, Zheng Zhaoling's expression didn't change. She looked at Cui Hao and suddenly asked:

Where is Chun Nuan?

Ah?

Fellow Daoist Cui, are you trying to fool me?

"Ah... no... how could that be?"

Zheng Zhaoling looked at Cui Hao's somewhat stiff expression, and only then did a faint smile touch the corners of her lips.

She said calmly,

"Then I shall quietly wait."