The three took their seats in the pavilion.
Duke of Huai first shared a meal with the two juniors. They ate quite a bit of spiritual food and talked at length.
Mostly, the old man asked, and Jiang Wang answered.
He answered truthfully about his operations on Star Moon Plain, who worked at the tavern, his experiences in the Floating Continent world, Wu Hangong, Ghost Dragon Devil Lord, and all the rest.
As for matters he could not discuss—such as why he had left Qi, or what he planned to do next—he merely said that he was walking his own path, seeking his own truth.
"Your tavern has that many talented people?!" Zuo Guangshu listened with growing excitement. "When can I go have some fun too?"
What truly thrilled him was the heart-stirring danger of the Floating Continent world. The Zuo Family watched over him very strictly, and his life in the Chu Kingdom had been far too dull. Every day, it was either the Great Void Illusion Realm or Mountain and Sea Purgatory. Though Qu Shunhua kept him company, life could hardly help being calm and uneventful.
Jiang Wang deliberately teased him. "It's not that much fun. Never mind Glazed Buddha Sons or a nation's Prodigies—at my tavern, they all have to work."
"I can work too!" Zuo Guangshu was even more tempted. He had never worked or earned wages before.
"What kind of work can you do?" Jiang Wang asked.
"I can help out in the kitchen, boil water, that sort of thing!" Zuo Guangshu said. "I'm very good at boiling water!"
"That's enough, Guangshu." Duke of Huai promptly snuffed out his hopes. "We have serious business to handle. Go to the Dharma Evolution Pavilion and practice some Daoist arts first."
Zuo Guangshu gave an "Oh," then left