"I was such a fool, truly..."
Beside the bonfire, Verdant Green Maiden crouched with her hands tucked into her sleeves, her expression bitter.
The flames danced, while the young woman grieved.
"I knew this world was unusual, so I told you all to be careful when you went out. I never thought Stinky Monkey would still manage to bring back such an immense Karma!"
Hong Luan crouched beside her and patted her hair soothingly. "Oh, don't fret. It's only Ancestor Heavenly Master, isn't it?"
Only?
Verdant Green Maiden sighed. "He's the head of a sect. How could it be that simple?"
The Auspicious Fortune around him was immense, and he was exactly the sort she least wanted to get entangled with. Yet one careless remark from that Stinky Monkey had tied their fates together. If only she'd known!
Just then, Verdant Green Maiden gave Hong Luan a strange look and tilted her head. "How did you know he was Ancestor Heavenly Master?"
"I'm Qing Niao. Of course I know."
Hong Luan blinked and fobbed her off with the same old excuse.
Verdant Green Maiden was too troubled by Zhang Daoling's Karma to think much of it. She sighed again and again. "Stinky Monkey, why can't you keep that mouth of yours shut?"
"How was I supposed to know he had such a big name?" Sun Huo Wang muttered. Seeing Verdant Green Maiden sigh, he felt a little guilty.
Verdant Green Maiden waved a hand. "Never mind. I'll settle this Karma. Stinky Monkey, stay on Mount Tai and don't go wandering."
"Want me to go with you?" Hong Luan asked.
But Verdant Green Maiden shook her head. "No need. Keep an eye on them!"
This time, Hong Luan didn't insist on going along. She nodded. "All right. Come back soon."
After