"Tap, tap, tap."
The door knocker struck its base three times, crisp and clear.
The ring scraped against the doorplate, producing a trembling metallic rasp. The bronze handle was oily and gleaming. Xu Zishuai planted one foot on the White Marble step, folded his arms, and waited, his gaze wandering idly. There were no black ants to find in winter, so he stared at the pebbles on the steps and counted them one by one.
"Creak."
Oolong's dog head poked out first.
"Hall Master Xu!" Fan Xinglai cried in delight as he pulled open the gate. "What brings you here?"
Xu Zishuai casually rubbed the dog's head. "The River Conservancy Office's fishing fleet came back today—its last haul before the New Year Festival. Master sent me to purchase a batch of Treasure Fish for the Martial Hall, so I stopped by while I was at it. Is A Shui around? I have something to ask him."
"The boss went out to cultivate. We haven't seen him for five or six days—he doesn't even come back for meals. But the mistress is home today. Shall I report it to her?"
Gone out to cultivate?
Xu Zishuai stroked his chin, seized by an ominous premonition.
His junior brother had only returned from becoming a celestial being less than two months ago. He couldn't possibly be pulling off something like Unity of Heaven and Man, Severing Heaven and Earth, could he?
"Hall Master?"
"Oh, never mind if he's not here. It wouldn't be convenient for me to go in." Xu Zishuai waved a hand. "It's nothing major. Master asked me to find out how A Shui planned to spend this year's New Year Festival—whether he was going to the Imperial Capital or staying in Pingyang. If he's staying in Pingyang, does he have