After making his way back, he arrived at Ten Thousand Bamboo Mountain, where the True Disciple's cave abode assigned by his Command Token stood.
A gentle breeze stirred.
Zhang Yuan pushed open the courtyard gate. Three women sat inside: Cui Yuanxi, Xiao Shi, and Tong Ke. Tea and pastries lay on the stone table. He did not know whose tea it was, but the pastries were certainly Xiao Shi's, though they were not the box he had given her.
He wondered whether she had finished those or deliberately kept them out of sight.
"Zhang Yuan, you're back!" Tong Ke waved.
Zhang Yuan nodded slightly, then looked at the three women lounging so comfortably and asked, "It's getting late. Aren't you ladies going back to rest?"
After dinner and a round trip chasing down Xuan Chen, it was now nearly midnight. It really was late. Although he was not alone here with a single woman, having Cui Yuanxi, Xiao Shi, and Tong Ke linger was still somewhat improper.
"Huh... why are you chasing us away the moment you get back?" Tong Ke asked.
Zhang Yuan flicked Tong Ke on the forehead. "You might not need rest, but I do."
Tong Ke huffed and rubbed her forehead. "Fine, fine. I was going to tell you some good news, too."
Zhang Yuan's interest stirred. "What good news?"
"I'm going back to rest. I'll tell you tomorrow." Tong Ke hopped down from the stone stool.
Rather than press her, Zhang Yuan asked, "Do you need me to escort you back?"
Tong Ke shook her head. "No need. The Mysterious Court's guest accommodations are right beside Ten Thousand Bamboo Mountain, less than a thousand meters away. See that residence on the mountain? The disciples of the Azure Talisman Grotto-Heaven and the Spirit Emperor Blessed Land