After daybreak, a magical cloud arrived from the Heavenly Realm, bearing two female divine officials from the Celestial Weaving Bureau. General Crab had come along as well, of course.
Looking down from afar at Fishmulberry Village, they saw what seemed to be a lingering halo over it. Perhaps this was because it had drawn in the radiant clouds for so long, even though Zhuo Qing had not refined any silk while Yi Shuyuan was there.
"General Xie truly deserves to be the Water God who replaced Nian Chaosheng. Fishmulberry Village is a wonderful place!"
"Please don't put it that way. You could call it timing and fate, but hardly a matter of replacing him. Ladies, allow me to lead the way when we pay our respects. Please don't make a fuss and disturb anyone."
Having been left waiting for three days, General Crab feared these two goddesses might also act too haughtily. Clearly, however, he had misunderstood them.
His words apparently reminded the two women of what had happened earlier, and one hurried to explain.
"General Xie, we have a favor to ask of that immortal master. How could we dare act presumptuously? We'll follow your arrangements entirely!"
That was quite reasonable of them.
Somewhat reassured, Xie Qing brought them straight down into the village. Amid the greetings and curious gazes of the Aquatic Folk, he led them to the fence outside Zhuo Qing's courtyard.
The first people they saw were Stoneborn and Du Xiaolin, who had risen early. In plain terms, though the two cultivated immortality and sought enlightenment, they were still children. Du Xiaolin was a little more mature, but a child nonetheless. They were playing with a dozen or so baby silkworms in a bamboo tray on the wooden veranda table.
Hui Mian watched from the side.