Closed-Door Meditation

Years ago, Shangguan Fei had been ambushed by his younger sister on the road to Xiaowan Kingdom. A boulder had pinned him down, nearly killing him, and even now one of his legs was still a little stiff.

Returning to the old place, Shangguan Fei still felt a lingering dread. "Who picked this lousy place? They must be doing it on purpose to spite me." He muttered under his breath, though he knew perfectly well that he wasn't important enough for anyone to arrange this especially for him.

The Dragon King and Prince Dudun had chosen this spot to meet. Both sides were fully outfitted for a hunt, as if this were a chance encounter.

"Is this a Western Regions custom? It seems much the same as in the Central Plains, except our excuse isn't hunting, but drinking tea or visiting a mutual friend. Something like that, anyway. I've only heard about it." Tu Gou watched the whole scene curiously. "Will the Dragon King and the prince start fighting? Should we get ready?"

Old Man Mu picked at his ear. "See that? You're about to talk a callus right off my ear. I never thought you were so long-winded. If I'd known, I should've pulled out your tongue years ago. Let me tell you, they won't fight. At a time like this, everyone's putting on a show of false sincerity. Whoever acts more convincingly wins."

Tu Gou was a little disappointed. He was eager to experience another life-or-death battle and put into practice all the insights he'd gained over the past few days.

Shangguan Fei, however, thought there was something to it. "I don't mean anything by it, but the Dragon King doesn't seem to have the upper hand in this kind of thing."

Old Man Mu pursed his lips