As Xing Yan and the two girls headed back to Thousand Birds Cliff, they encountered several young Daoists from Shangqing Palace on the stone path of Embracing Rosy Clouds Peak.
Xing Yan had excellent eyesight. Before the four drew near, he recognized three familiar faces among them: Hua Piaochen, Du Ziheng, and Huang Ran. The remaining young Daoist, handsome and refined, was someone he had never seen before.
Before long, the two groups met on the mountain path.
Seeing his acquaintances, Xing Yan smiled and prepared to greet Hua Piaochen and the others. But he was a beat too slow; the unfamiliar young Daoist stepped forward first and said:
"Oh? Isn't this Miss Kou of Four Seas Hall? What a coincidence, meeting you here!"
Ah! Apparently this Daoist was not addressing him, the leader of the group.
Upon hearing the young Daoist's greeting, Kou Xueyi gave no reply. She merely lowered her head and eyes, moved her cherry lips faintly, and said not a word. More than that, she edged closer to Qiong Rong, who was hiding behind Xing Yan.
Such a response was perfectly normal for Xueyi, and stood in stark contrast to the young Daoist's warm greeting.
Seeing that Xueyi had not answered, the young Daoist took no offense whatsoever. He merely smiled faintly and said:
"Miss Xueyi, with your icy beauty and cool grace, you truly live up to your name!"
Only then did Xing Yan find an opening to ask Hua Piaochen, somewhat hesitantly:
"Brother Hua, this gentleman is...?"
By now, Hua Piaochen had also approached them. Hearing Xing Yan's question, he answered with a smile:
"This is Brother Zhao Wuchen, a disciple of our granduncle-master Ling Ting of Virtue-Venerating Hall. Brother Zhao has always prided himself on his refined tastes. Naturally, he has eyes only