The depths of the valley were quiet. In fact, few people had set foot here lately. For one thing, the people in the valley didn't want to disturb Dan Qiulin; for another, they wanted to show him the respect he deserved.
This place had practically become Dan Qiulin's private domain. He was content here. Though he hadn't left the clamor of the mortal world behind, at least he was free of its endless petty troubles.
When Bai Yang arrived, Dan Qiulin was sitting alone with his back against Mu Tong's tombstone, slowly drinking from a jar of wine. He was still dressed in coarse hemp clothes, with a black cloth blindfold over his eyes, looking like one of the most ordinary people on the street. Yet Bai Yang could sense the razor-sharp edge he had reined in to the utmost. Even Bai Yang felt his heart skip when he sensed it.
"Brother Bai, you're back. Did everything go smoothly?" Dan Qiulin asked, raising the wine jar in his hand.
At Mu Tong's grave, a seed in Bai Yang's hand sprouted rapidly and bloomed into a pure white flower. He placed it before the grave, then stepped back two paces and leaned against the multicolored peach tree beside him. "Some things happened while I was away, but fortunately, I made it back safe and sound."
Bai Yang didn't go into the details. Dan Qiulin could probably guess how perilous the journey had been. He didn't press for details, only nodded. "That's good."
Bai Yang raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at his left hand. "Old Dan, your hand..."
"I stepped into the Human King Realm. Severed limbs grow back." Dan Qiulin said it casually, as if he didn't care about his newly grown left hand.
Bai Yang nodded and looked at