When Hu Xiaotian heard her call him by name outright, he could not help being startled. His first thought was that Granny Shadow might be deliberately bluffing him; by rights, his disguise should not have been exposed so easily. So he feigned ignorance despite knowing better. "Ma'am, are you speaking to me?"
Granny Shadow sighed. "Why bother hiding yourself from me?" She sniffed. "A person can change their build and appearance through martial arts, but changing their scent is much harder. Once I've met someone, I can remember their scent."
Hu Xiaotian inwardly admired her. When he had fought Old Monster Beize before, the old monster had possessed the same ability. He had never expected Granny Shadow's nose to be so keen. Having a sensitive nose did seem rather useful now.
Granny Shadow added, "The next time you disguise yourself, remember not to smile so readily. That smile of yours gives you away far too easily."
With her having gone this far, there was no point in Hu Xiaotian continuing to conceal himself. Besides, his identity had already been exposed, so he might as well show himself openly. There was nothing to fear. He grinned. "You truly are remarkable, Granny Shadow. Nothing gets past you!"
Granny Shadow said, "I really do admire your nerve. Do you honestly not know what this place is?"
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "I do, but I'm hardly an outsider. Your precious disciple is my wife. A teacher for a day is a mother for life. In fact, you're practically my mother-in-law."
Granny Shadow knew how sharp-tongued this fellow was. She was no match for him in a battle of words. Still, he was not wrong about that. Yan Nujiao was her disciple, and although Hu Xiaotian had never formally married her, the raw rice had long