Li Wu's appearance did not catch Pan Long by surprise.
He was bound to appear sooner or later. It was only a question of when.
To Pan Long, it made little difference.
He had already made up his mind.
"Seven years apart, and you're as impressive as ever, Senior Li. I truly admire you." He smiled at Li Wu. "Have you come to arrest someone?"
Li Wu shook his head. "The Imperial Court only ordered me to retrieve that strange Bamboo Slip. Whether I arrest anyone doesn't matter. If He Ping'an hands it over, I'll turn around and leave."
Pan Long looked at He Ping'an.
He Ping'an kept his head down and ate, without the slightest intention of looking up.
Pan Long sighed. "Could you at least let him get a good night's rest first, Senior Li?"
Li Wu shook his head. "He's not an exceptionally skilled fighter, but he has far too many tricks up his sleeve. I chased him for two months before wearing him down until his lamp was nearly out of oil. If I let him eat a proper meal and sleep, I'll probably spend another few months chasing him."
Pan Long was about to try persuading him, but Li Wu continued, "And he's extraordinarily gifted. After exchanging blows with me a few times, he's already grasped the key to Returning to the Natural State. A formal breakthrough could come any day. For all I know, he'll rest well tonight and wake up tomorrow in the Returning to Truth Realm. With how cunning he is, I might not be able to catch him then."
Pan Long was at a loss for words. With Li Wu putting it that way, there was little room left to negotiate.
After a moment's hesitation, he asked anyway, "Then... what would