Stillwater Teahouse was hardly known in Kang Capital. It stood among ordinary homes, its white banner embroidered with a large black character for "tea." Its greatest distinction from other teahouses was its unique terrace, half of which extended over the winding Wangkong Creek outside the entrance. The sun shone brightly, and the autumn air was crisp. The only two white clouds drifted lazily across the deep blue sky; only by looking down into the creek could one clearly see them moving.
It was just past noon, so there were few customers. A solitary old man sat on the otherwise empty terrace, his hair and beard entirely white. He glanced at Hu Xiaotian, a cryptic smile curling his lips.
Hu Xiaotian recognized Liu Yuzhang from that familiar smile. Smiling himself, he walked over and sat opposite him. "Nice beard!" he said softly.
Liu Yuzhang gave an awkward dry cough. This fellow just had to lift the lid on the one pot that would not boil. Even if the beard looked good, it was still false. Was he reminding him that he was a eunuch? Naturally, Liu Yuzhang did not get angry. His thin, withered fingers picked up a cup of tea and gently set it before Hu Xiaotian. "Please, have some tea."
Hu Xiaotian lifted the cup, inhaled its fragrance, and took a sip. Then he folded his upright frame into the wicker chair in an exceedingly languid posture, narrowing his bright eyes like a cat fond of sleeping. "I thought you wouldn't come looking for me again."
Liu Yuzhang chuckled. "Why?"
"You people are all very strange!" Hu Xiaotian said. That was not the real reason. Ghost Physician Fu Wan had behaved the same way before, appearing inexplicably and then vanishing just as inexplicably.
"It seems you still lack patience,"