In the lounge.
Li Ping sat in a chair, while Ji Shuchen stood respectfully beside him.
"No need to stand on ceremony with me. Sit," Li Ping said casually with a smile.
Only after hearing Li Ping's instruction did Ji Shuchen cautiously sit down in the seat below his. Looking up, he saw Li Ping's gaze resting on the boys and girls outside, who were peeking through the crack in the door.
He explained helplessly, "Uncle Li, I usually treat these children as friends to help them develop independent personalities. I never expected them to be this mischievous even in front of you."
Li Ping shook his head, amusement in his eyes. He remembered that when he first met Ji Shuchen, the boy had been about their age, a wild youngster who feared neither heaven nor earth-a stark contrast to Ji Shuxuan.
According to Daoist Ji Xiu, it was precisely this mischievous grandson who had stumbled upon the spirit vein beneath Little Plum Mountain while raiding birds' nests.
These children were much like Ji Shuchen in his youth, brimming with energy.
At that thought, he looked at Ji Shuchen. "These children are descendants of Brother Ji and my master, so they count as my juniors too. Let them all come in."
"Yes, Uncle Li." Hearing Li Ping's instruction, Ji Shuchen quickly nodded.
He slowly rose and called irritably toward the door, "Come in, all of you. Don't break my door prying at it."
"Heehee, Teacher Ji's door is so sturdy, we'd need a magic artifact to break it."
"Exactly, exactly! You can't blame us if the door breaks, Teacher Ji."
At Ji Shuchen's instruction, seven or eight youngsters darted inside like a wisp of smoke. They stole curious glances at Li Ping, guessing at his identity.
Afraid they might offend