A chance encounter

Without your chapter comments, o(╥﹏╥)o, I'm so sad I'm crying up a storm. But I can still see the pictures you post!

You can also say whatever you like. Even if you roast yourselves, nobody will know. When comments return on the fifth, we can see just how many goofy readers there are~~

The corner of Lin Zhishui's mouth twitched slightly.

Although he did not know this distinguished, handsome older gentleman, he had seen his photograph when Yan Shanshui had asked him to help find someone two days earlier.

Obviously, this was the destitute old man he had met in the underpass two days ago.

So he pretended not to recognize him, turned back around, and picked up the adorably dopey Little Pomeranian. He cradled her in his arms and gently soothed her. The puppy seemed to like him too, actually letting him comfort her without a fuss.

Little Pomeranian lay obediently in Lin Zhishui's arms, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. Good thing I didn't reveal my true form just now. If this mortal old man had seen it, I'd have been in trouble... I'll keep pretending to be a dog. Once this mortal old man leaves, I'll have this fellow take me somewhere secluded, then devour his memories.

Then she paused again. Wait, that's not right. I am a dog. What's there to pretend...?

The handsome older gentleman was, of course, Zhu Chenghuo.

He was feeling rather apprehensive.

He had heard from Yan Shanshui that Senior Lin did not wish to see him, so he had deliberately wandered around the area for the past two days, concealing his aura completely in hopes of running into Senior Lin. Now he had indeed run into him, but Senior Lin did not seem particularly willing to acknowledge him.

"Mr... Lin."

Zhu Chenghuo said respectfully, "My name is Zhu Chenghuo. We met just two days ago. You remember me, don't you?"

He had intended to call him Senior Lin, but then remembered Yan Shanshui saying that Senior Lin enjoyed posing as an ordinary mortal and followed mortal conventions. Mr. Lin would be better.

After standing up with the dog in his arms, Lin Zhishui shook his head. "I don't remember."

Zhu Chenghuo was stunned, momentarily unable to get a word out.

"Ahem, I was only joking."

Lin Zhishui knew he could no longer pretend not to recognize him. With an awkward chuckle, he said, "You're the old man who was waiting around to die and still wanted a peach."

The old man had hardly said anything reasonable last time anyway. There was no need to be polite to an old fellow who started talking about dying at the drop of a hat. He did not like elderly people who behaved so recklessly and willfully, leaving their families worried sick.

"Yes, yes. Thanks to your guidance and assistance that day, I was given a new lease on life."

Zhu Chenghuo nodded repeatedly. Although Senior Lin's words did not sound particularly friendly, he was already satisfied that he was willing to speak to him.

"It was nothing. Don't dwell on it." Lin Zhishui shook his head slightly, then lowered his head to play with the puppy's little paws.

It was just a few sophisticated platitudes. With a little thought, he could casually come up with a whole slew of them without repeating himself.

As for the peach, delicious though it was, it was only a peach.

"Well..."

Zhu Chenghuo could also tell that this immortal senior was not particularly interested in speaking to him. He hurriedly said, "I will never forget how you gave me a new lease on life two days ago. If there is anything I can do for you, please just say the word."

"No need. What could you help me with?" Without even looking up, Lin Zhishui said casually, "Or you could give me back that peach."

"Well..."

Zhu Chenghuo froze. That Lesser Immortal Peach was a precious immortal treasure. Where was he supposed to find one?

"Forget it. I was only joking. It was just a peach. I'm not that stingy." Lin Zhishui shook his head with a smile. Apparently, the old gentleman had mistakenly thought he wanted him to spit the peach back out.

Only then did Zhu Chenghuo breathe a sigh of relief. "Mr. Lin, your noble character and generosity truly command my utmost admiration. Your teachings that day benefited me greatly as well. I truly don't know how to thank you."

"There's no need."

Lin Zhishui scratched Little Pomeranian's belly and said offhandedly, "Take care of your own affairs first. All those things I told you can't have been for nothing, can they?"

He did not care about the old gentleman's gratitude. Just the day before yesterday, he had been as destitute as a beggar, clearly having suffered some devastating blow, such as bankruptcy. Now he was so presentable and particular about appearances. Most likely, he only looked prosperous while his pockets were actually completely empty.

It was best to keep his distance from someone like that. Otherwise, if they became involved, the man might turn into a problem someday.

"I understand everything you said," Zhu Chenghuo replied, hurriedly nodding.

He knew Senior Lin meant for him to cherish his time rather than squander it, achieve the Five-Pass Breakthrough as soon as possible, and not waste the five hundred years of lifespan granted by the Lesser Immortal Peach.

Meanwhile, Little Pomeranian, nestled in Lin Zhishui's arms, was growing rather confused as she listened to their conversation.

Why did modern people also speak in this half-classical, half-colloquial fashion?

And why was this old man so respectful toward this young fellow? Could he be the son of someone rich or powerful?

Humans really are complicated, she muttered inwardly.

"As long as you understand. All right, go take care of your business. Don't waste any more time."

Lin Zhishui waved a hand, then turned and walked toward his calligraphy and painting shop, carrying the thoroughly bewildered puppy.

Zhu Chenghuo did not dare say anything more. He could only bow respectfully in farewell. "Take care, Mr. Lin."

He knew his own place very well.

Even if others regarded him as a great master of the present age who had reached the Fifth Heavenly Pass, he knew perfectly well that in the eyes of an immortal powerhouse like Senior Lin, he was merely a slightly stronger ant. No amount of humility or respect would be excessive.

Senior Lin could casually give away even an immortal peach. How could he dare speculate about the heights of his cultivation and status?

An immortal master truly is extraordinary...

Zhu Chenghuo watched Senior Lin's retreating figure and could not help sighing inwardly. He hesitated over whether he should quietly take a look at where Senior Lin lived.

After standing there indecisively for a while, he decided it was best not to disturb Senior Lin. It would be terrible if he displeased him.

Just as Zhu Chenghuo was about to leave, his spiritual awareness stirred, and he looked up at the sky.

A streak of sword light and a streak of golden light shot across the sky like meteors, hidden from the many mortals below within the barrier of the Divine Concealment Art, rapidly flying toward him.

Then the two streaks of light landed before him.

One was a white-robed woman with a cool expression; the other was a bald young man radiating an imposing Buddhist light.

"Fairy Featherfall, Venerable Dragon Subduer." Zhu Chenghuo greeted them with a smile. "What brings you here?"

"Brother Zhu."

After scanning their surroundings, the white-robed woman, Fairy Featherfall, frowned and said, "Didn't I tell you in my message earlier? I left my sword intent inside the Heavenly Dog's primordial spirit. As long as she uses her Outer Demon power, I can sense her location. Just now, I felt her use that power right here, so Dragon Subduer and I rushed over as quickly as we could."

The bald young man, Venerable Dragon Subduer, asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, when did you arrive here? Have you seen the Heavenly Dog?"

"No." Zhu Chenghuo shook his head outright. "I only just arrived myself and happened to... meet an acquaintance. But I haven't seen any sign of an Outer Demon."

"Could the Heavenly Dog have merely been passing through?" Fairy Featherfall frowned slightly. "She only used her Outer Demon power for an instant. She stopped suppressing my sword intent for only that fleeting moment, so I can't pinpoint her whereabouts either."

Venerable Dragon Subduer frowned. "There are quite a few mortals around here. If she's hiding among them, how are we supposed to find her?"

Zhu Chenghuo, however, was rather puzzled. "Fairy Featherfall, are you certain an Outer Demon appeared here a short while ago?"

"Of course," Fairy Featherfall said with a nod.

"Then that's strange..."

Zhu Chenghuo frowned slightly.

An Outer Demon's aura was indeed extremely subtle. Unless one was right in front of you, its presence was very difficult to sense.

But Senior Lin had been right here just now. With an immortal master of his caliber, how could he have failed to notice that Outer Demon if she had not completely concealed her aura?

Zhu Chenghuo could not quite understand.

Once an immortal senior like him discovered an Outer Demon's whereabouts, surely he could annihilate a mere Heavenly Dog with a flick of his finger...

Hmm?

He suddenly froze, then understood in a flash.

Could it be... the Heavenly Dog's aura appeared for only an instant because Senior Lin annihilated her with a thought the moment she exposed it?

So that was it. Of course an immortal senior like him wouldn't be careless.

At that thought, Zhu Chenghuo could not help smiling. He shook his head and told Fairy Featherfall and Venerable Dragon Subduer with a smile, "Rest assured. You don't need to look for that Outer Demon anymore. She's no longer a threat."

"Oh? Why is that?"

Fairy Featherfall looked at Zhu Chenghuo in surprise, rather bewildered.

Zhu Chenghuo was just about to speak when a look of shock suddenly appeared on Fairy Featherfall's beautiful face, and she cried out, "She's appeared again! I can sense that Outer Demon's location! She's nearby!"

"Huh?" Zhu Chenghuo froze.

What was going on?

Had Senior Lin not killed that Heavenly Dog?

Wait! Nearby?

Senior Lin happened to be carrying a little dog, as docile as a pet. Could Senior Lin have...

At that moment, an incredible thought suddenly flashed through Zhu Chenghuo's mind.

PS: (I suddenly thought of a fun game. Post "The fifth and fifteenth commenters are the most handsome" here, and when chapter comments return on the fifth, we'll see who ends up fifth and fifteenth~~ Of course, remember to cast your recommendation votes too~~)