(There was a lot going on at year's end, so updates were very irregular. Things would be much better next month.)
Chen Ping'an glanced toward the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. That stretch of land looked as though Old Blind Man had cut it away from Savage World with a single stroke of his blade. A hazy golden light lay over the earth, reflected from the golden-armored puppets charged with moving mountains. High above, autumn clouds rose like peaks, filling the vast void.
Chen Ping'an recalled that struggle to cross the waters in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land years ago. Quite possibly, within the next century, the worlds would witness something unseen in ten thousand years: everyone striving to cross the Great Dao, all vying for their chance.
Another matter came to mind, and Chen Ping'an said softly, "My teacher gave me a talking-to. I was slow to realize something, and I really shouldn't have been."
Ning Yao asked curiously, "What was it?"
The Literary Sage Master was willing to give his prized disciple a talking-to?
Chen Ping'an said, "He reminded me that when we're together, I shouldn't always leave it to you to start the conversation."
Perhaps many misunderstandings between people came from saying things they never meant to say without a thought, while holding back the heartfelt things they ought to say. Each muttered behind closed lips, wrongly believing the other already understood.
Ning Yao gave him an odd look.
"Is that not how it is?" Chen Ping'an asked.
"Of course not," Ning Yao said, shaking her head.
Whenever they were together, wherever they were, Ning Yao felt no awkwardness even if neither said a word. Besides, she certainly wasn't forcing conversation for its own sake. Talking with him had never felt dull.
Ning Yao could not help laughing.