The two watched Huang Bai's figure fade bit by bit until he vanished completely into the mountain wind.
Little Jin's eyes widened as he stared blankly at the empty space. After a long while, he finally asked in a small voice:
"Master, was that Mountain God Grandpa?"
Rongbao remained where he was, his gaze lingering as though his whole being were still trapped in the scene from moments ago.
"That's right."
"He is Mountain God Grandpa, but he is also the grand master of Xiangxi, a Daoist True Man, and an alchemy grandmaster."
Little Jin was left completely bewildered. Counting on his fingers, he asked doubtfully:
"So many people?"
Rongbao could not help laughing. He reached out and lightly flicked the boy's forehead.
"Not that many people. From beginning to end, he has always been just one person."
Little Jin nodded as if he understood, then could not help asking again:
"Will I get to see Mountain God Grandpa again someday?"
Rongbao looked down at him and rubbed his head.
"There'll be a chance."
Yet after saying that, an indescribable complexity appeared in his eyes.
Before Old Foreigner and Hualing left, they had specifically asked him to keep Little Jin's curse a secret. Under no circumstances could the child walk the path of tomb raiding and pearl-seeking again.
Even someone as exceptionally gifted as Partridge Whistle had traveled the world and endured countless brushes with death, yet found no answer.
It would be better for him to remain in the Miao village and live out his life in peace.
With that prescription scroll, at least they could prolong his life somewhat. Living into his sixties was not considered short.
Thinking of this, Rongbao sighed softly to himself.
"Let's go."
The sun was setting, and the mountain path was dimly yellow.