Sea God Pavilion.
The wood grain of the dome glows with dark gold under the candlelight. Those lines are like knife marks blunted by time, engraved with the breath of thousands of years of history.
Mu En was leaning on an old wicker chair, with two teacups in front of him. One cup was completely cold. The tea leaves sank to the bottom of the cup, motionless.
The other cup was clean and untouched.
He didn't wait long.
The wind blew from the lake, passed through the gap between the pillars, and swirled in front of the pavilion door. The air inside the door sank slightly - as if someone stepped out of the void and brought a whole shadow into the house.
The door was pushed open.
An old man stood outside the door. He had gray robes, gray hair, and a beard as white as snow, but his back was as straight as a gun that had never been bent.
He walked in with a steady pace and didn't stir up any wind.
The candlelight flickered on his face for a moment, illuminating the face that was as old as Mu En but far more energetic than him. The brow bones were high and the eye sockets were slightly deep. The eyes did not hide the tiredness and malaise like Mu En, but were clear.
"You've lost weight," he said.
Mu En smiled and did not answer the question. He lifted the teapot and poured hot water into the empty cup. The leaves slowly stretched in the cup, and a thin white mist rose.
"You called me here so early in the morning just to treat me to tea?" The old man walked over slowly and sat down opposite Mu En.
"Xiaoyao, I thought you wouldn't come."
Mu En pushed the cup in front of him, "This is dragon grass tea, newly roasted this year. I know you never like drinking tea, but today, I'm afraid you will make an exception."
Long Xiaoyao glanced down at the cup of tea but did not pick it up.
"When you were summoned, you only said two words: one statement."
He leaned back slightly, and the back of the chair creaked slightly, "I thought at that time that you wouldn't be looking for me just to reminisce about old times."
Mu En was silent for a moment, picked up the cup of cool tea, touched his lips, and put it down again.
"Xiaoyao."
He finally said, "Between you and me, I won't beat around the bush."
"Zhang Lexuan--Can you give her back to us?"
Sea God Pavilion was quiet for a moment. The candle flame jumped a little, then returned to stability.
Long Xiaoyao stretched out his hand and picked up the cup of tea. Warmth came from the wall of the cup through the cuffs of the gray robe.
"You really came to beg me for this."
"I know you can't have much of a hand in this matter."
Mu En did not look away, "But I want to hear your answer - is that child still alive?"
"Alive."
Long Xiaoyao answered without hesitation, "Holy Son wants a saint, a woman who can be his wife, not a corpse. She is valuable only if she is alive."
Mu En's fingers gently closed on his knees, and soon they relaxed again.
"What a Holy Son... that's what he had in mind."
"Do you consider her your granddaughter?"
"She called me teacher."
He paused.
"That's why I came to beg you, Xiaoyao, that child - she is only in her early twenties. Chief of the Inner Court, Soul Douluo, she could have gone a long way. I don't force you to take her out, I know it will be difficult for you. I only ask you one thing -"
"Tell me her whereabouts. I, Sea God Pavilion, will figure out the rest. Whatever you want, we can discuss."
Long Xiaoyao listened quietly.
"Mu En, there is no need to talk about this between us."
His voice lowered a little, "I understand your feelings, but you should know that I don't have any control over Holy Spirit Cult's affairs. Offering Hall only listens to Xi Shui's orders and does not have much real power."
"You asked me to get Zhang Lexuan back - what I can do is very limited."
Mu En did not ask further questions, nor did he show a disappointed expression. He nodded, as if he had expected this answer.
"Xiaoyao."
He suddenly changed the subject, "How many years have we known each other?"
Long Xiaoyao didn't count. "... can't remember clearly."
"I do remember."
Mu En said, "On Soul Master Tournament more than two hundred years ago, you, me, and Xishui - the three of us were the most talented contestants. At that time, you didn't have this white beard, and I could still run faster than the wind."
The corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
"Later, you went your way, and I went mine. You became Holy Spirit Cult Great Enshrined, and I became Sea God Pavilion Master. We are both old."
He picked up the cup of herbal tea.
"I have never asked you for anything in my life."
Long Xiaoyao is holding the cup of hot tea, and the temperature of the cup wall is gradually dropping between the palm and the tea soup.
"I checked," he said, "Zhang Lexuan has not been transferred to Holy Spirit Cult headquarters..."
Mu En's fingers paused slightly.
"She is probably still at Sunset Forest, being guarded by Third Offering herself. There are four or five other worshipers and elders assisting her."
"Third Offering?"
"You should know Blood Prison, level 97 Super Douluo. He is not bad, so he will not embarrass the child too much."
He paused, "But just last night, someone broke into Sunset Forest and robbed the person."
Mu En's eyes were filled with light.
"Who?"
"I don't know."
Long Xiaoyao shook his head, "I only know that Third Offering was captured and two elders disappeared. The entire escort team was wiped out, and not even the one who reported the news escaped."
He met Mu En's eyes.
"Xishui has ordered a thorough investigation and is preparing for revenge. I thought... you sent someone to do it."
"No, it's not me. But I probably know who it is."
Long Xiaoyao nodded. "... Yes. There are really not many people who can do this."
He didn't ask further, but both of them knew that they were thinking of the same person. That green figure Mingdou Mountain Range appeared out of nowhere, and that aura that was enough to make Di Tian retreat - besides her, who else could there be?
They all became quiet. The morning light outside the window was just right.
After a while, Mu En spoke again.
"Xiaoyao. I know you had your difficulties in Holy Spirit Cult. I also know that you had your reasons for taking that path back then."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I've never asked you - and I don't plan to. But there is one thing I want to ask you for one more favor."
Long Xiaoyao is waiting for him.
"If Holy Spirit Cult wants to take action against that child, and Ye Xishui personally comes to seek revenge and wants to silence him, please help me stop him."
He paused.
"There's no need for a head-on conflict. Just let me have some time to prepare."
Long Xiaoyao was silent for a long time.
"Don't worry. I will."
He said, "After all... I'm sorry for you for that matter. If I had known earlier that that little guy was your new disciple, I wouldn't have said anything to distract Xuan Zi."
Mu En shook his head. "It's all over."
"Yes, it has passed. But some things cannot be overcome after all."
Long Xiaoyao stood up, and the hem of his gray robe brushed against the chair surface, making a slight friction sound. He walked to the window, with his back to Mu En.
"But your worries may be a bit unnecessary."
"Oh?"
Mu En looked at his back.
"A strong person of that level, even me, may not be her opponent."
He turned his head and said, "With her here, who dares to touch him?"