Bai Wei's abrupt change of subject allowed Song Wen to breathe a small sigh of relief.
He forced a smile onto his face.
"My seclusion went fairly smoothly. Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Bai Wei."
Then Song Wen casually closed the door and gestured toward the wooden table.
"Bai Wei, Lan Chen, please take your seats."
At his invitation, the two women walked toward the table.
Meanwhile, Lan Chen paid her respects to Wang Qiuyue.
Ye Bing also rose to greet Bai Wei.
Yet there was not a trace of respect in Ye Bing's eyes as she looked at Bai Wei, only deep scrutiny and puzzlement.
"We're old friends getting together. There's no need for such formalities. With fine wine and delicious food before us, wouldn't we be letting down the joy of this long-awaited reunion if we didn't feast to our hearts' content?" Song Wen interrupted their exchange of courtesies.
Then he walked over to the wooden table and sat down, separating the four women into two pairs.
Song Wen waved a hand, and five streams of clear, richly fragrant wine floated out of the jug, filling the cups before all five of them.
He raised his cup and spoke again.
"Everyone, let's drink."
With that, Song Wen hastily drained his cup.
The four women raised their cups together and drank.
After setting down her cup, Ye Bing asked in a rather casual tone.
"Senior Extreme Yin, are Elder Bai Wei and Fellow Daoist Lan Chen old acquaintances of yours as well? Why have I never heard you mention them?"
"I've known them for a long time, but you weren't a member of the Jade Spirit Palace before, young friend Ye Bing, so naturally you wouldn't have known." Song Wen's answer was vague; he clearly wanted to