Chen Ping'an accompanied Little Millet as they inspected the ferry boat. Two ferry boat stewards approached them.
Law Enforcement Chang Ming, dressed in a snow-white robe, had temporarily taken up the post of chief steward of the Wind Kite Ferry Boat because she was to attend the celebration for the lower sect. She arrived belatedly, stopped with graceful poise, and offered Chen Ping'an a formal salute. "Greetings, Young Master."
As the ferry boat's second steward personally appointed by the Young Mountain Lord, Old Immortal Jia had tidied himself from head to toe. His features were lean and refined, his beard and hair white as snow. One's bearing changed with one's station, and one's body was nourished by one's surroundings; he increasingly carried the air of a transcendent master. The old Immortal had brought out the finest garments from the bottom of his chest. He now wore a Daoist robe, cloud-treading shoes, and a small jade chime at his waist. This item had been bought years ago by the blind old Taoist priest with his own money from the Grass Head Shop in Qilong Alley—a spiritual artifact he had fallen in love with at first sight. Its jade surface bore archaic carving work and a line of tiny Ancient Seal Script: The heavenly wind blows the chime; I recite the Huang Ting. Golden sound and jade resonance; all heavens pay their respects.
Jia Sheng stood beside Chang Ming, positioned slightly behind her. He gave Chen Ping'an a Daoist bow and said with utmost respect, "Greetings, Mountain Lord."
As for the old Immortal's pair of lotus-silk cloud-walking shoes, they were one of the gifts bestowed by Mr. Xiao Mo.
Chen Ping'an smiled and explained, "I just took Xiao Mo on a trip to the Five-Colored World. We only just returned."
Jia Sheng's