Song Wen and Xuanchengzi talked until dusk.
Aside from Jadeglow Lotus and the Mirror Sea Mirage Abyss, Xuanchengzi did most of the asking, chiefly seeking advice on cultivation matters that puzzled him.
After agreeing to meet here again at noon the next day, the two rose and departed separately.
Upon returning to his cave abode, Song Wen first cast a minor spell to remove filth that did not exist on his body. Then he combed his long hair and changed into fresh clothes, inside and out.
He condensed an ice mirror and looked at the handsome young man reflected within. Song Wen nodded in satisfaction.
Surely... the Crimson-Scaled King would be satisfied as well.
That old bastard Xuanchengzi was treated like a treasure by the Silver Willow King.
There was no reason for the Crimson-Scaled King to be dissatisfied with his appearance.
Song Wen had planned to ask the Crimson-Scaled King about Jadeglow Lotus and the Mirror Sea Mirage Abyss that night.
When asking a favor of someone, one naturally had to be humble and cater to their tastes, just like—
The women in brothels had to satisfy their patrons before they could earn more money and make further demands.
Yet the Crimson-Scaled King did not arrive as Song Wen had expected.
He waited until the end of the Hour of the Rat, when the Hour of the Ox had begun, but the Crimson-Scaled King still did not appear.
Song Wen realized that the Crimson-Scaled King probably would not be coming today.
"What is going on?"
"Was she delayed by some urgent matter?"
"Or did she need to rest after several consecutive days?"
"Could it be... just as she said, her conscience had suddenly awakened? Did she decide she could not keep stealing her own little sister's man, and thus