In the icebound canyon, the river roared and surged, mist hanging thick in the air.
At the agreed time and place—the old spot, the cave where the Boundless Fruit had first been handed over to Zhao Xiongge.
By the time Niu Youdao arrived, Zhao Xiongge and Yuan Gang were already waiting inside the cave.
He swept inside and landed beside them, then looked Yuan Gang up and down. His gaze paused on the short new stubble growing from Yuan Gang's head. "All right now?"
Yuan Gang tore off the bandages around his hands. No matter how quickly wounds healed, it still took time. The bandages had been a disguise.
He showed Niu Youdao his palms, then clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking loudly. "I'm fine."
"That's good." Niu Youdao then looked Zhao Xiongge up and down. He had become somewhat cleaner, yet seemed otherwise unchanged. The only difference was probably that he washed more diligently now; overall, he still looked slovenly, and the wine gourd still hung at his side. Niu Youdao could not help asking, "Martial Uncle Zhao, didn't you say you'd let everything go once this was over? Why are you still like this? Tidy yourself up properly. Don't keep a wine gourd hanging off you all day."
Zhao Xiongge said, "What I find strange is, why are you always lecturing me? Am I the Martial Uncle, or are you?"
Niu Youdao chuckled. "We're family. No need for formalities."
Zhao Xiongge gave a cold snort, then sighed again. "After so many years, I'm already used to it. Putting on new clothes just makes me feel uncomfortable all over. As for this wine, I've been drinking it for too many years. I can't quit it all at once. There's no need to force it. Let nature take its course."