"It seemed to be Sister Shaozi, Sister Xiangling, and the others..." Li Zhier's expression held a trace of disappointment.
"These disciples have always been like this. Besides, after returning from their tour, they couldn't find a chance to see me because I wasn't here. You rest here for now. I'll go see them." I smiled.
"No... I'd better get up and make tea. I used to do this all the time anyway. When a paper servant makes the tea, it always feels cold and lifeless." Li Zhier quickly stood up. After rubbing her eyes, she headed for the tearoom.
I soon arrived at the reception hall as well. Shaozi, Xiangling, Shen Jinzhao, Jiufang Su, Longqiu You, Ye Xianyuan, Meng Daozhi, Si Niang, and Zhao Jing all flew down before the hall and walked in together, chatting and laughing.
"Nine people, all from the touring party. Could they have come to demand an explanation from me?" I sat in the seat of honor and looked at the disciples. I couldn't help feeling that a storm was brewing. After all, wherever Shaozi went, there was never a shortage of trouble.
"Master, what's the touring party?" Ye Xianyuan asked, utterly bewildered.
"It means you lot who've just returned from traveling." I smiled and looked toward Zhao Jing. The child was already no different from an ordinary person. I'd heard that he had been studying and training hard these past two years and had already developed the temperament of a boy around twelve or thirteen.
Unlike the other disciples, Zhao Jing respectfully saluted me when he saw me, though he remained silent. Even so, his bearing was excellent.
"We're just traveling around. Why lump us together as a party?" Shaozi had naturally sensed my wariness, so she tried to dispel my doubts.
I merely