Seeing that his disciple had truly thought things through and dispelled the gloom in his heart, with a trace of resolve now on his innocent face and a touch of maturity in his bearing, Xuanming stroked his beard, full of relief.
Whether in his previous life or this one, conflicts between first, second, and third children existed.
Willing or not, Li Zizai had to face this problem. Some things were better dealt with sooner rather than later.
Though his heart ached a little for his disciple, Xuanming did not soften. This was the first lesson he gave him after leaving the mountain:
Growing hurt; growing up was beautiful.
This disciple had not disappointed him.
At the same time, Xuanming had witnessed a parting filled with sorrow and joy, accumulating a little mortal world aura in his heart.
Outside the Li Residence, Li Daniu and his wife wept with joy at their son's growth. After returning to the courtyard and comforting his wife, Li Daniu intended to attend to his affairs, but a few steps later, he stopped short.
"When did I give that brat a present?"
An ominous premonition stirred in his heart.
Li Daniu hurried toward the doghouse in the front courtyard, lifted several paving bricks beside it, and opened a wooden box. It was completely empty.
In an instant, his expression darkened, and he ground his teeth.
"Li! Zi! Zai!"
The private stash he had painstakingly saved had been swept clean—all eight hundred and twenty-three taels, two mace, and three copper coins.
That little rascal had not left him a single coin.
Too ruthless.
After leaving Floating Cloud County, Li Zizai walked along the main road in high spirits, humming a tune and occasionally skipping along.
Lifting his gaze from the Daoist Scripture, Xuanming looked at his cheerful