The Old Lord looked at the young man before him and said nothing for a long time.
After a while, he finally reached out and gently rested his hand on Miaole's shoulder.
"It's enough that you're back."
"Rise."
Miaole straightened.
The Old Lord looked him over from head to toe, then reached out and pressed his shoulder again.
Miaole turned and first approached Yuanshi Tianzun, straightening his sleeves before bowing.
"Your kindness, Heavenly Venerable, is engraved upon this disciple's heart."
Yuanshi Tianzun glanced at the Old Lord and nodded with a smile.
"You're far better with words than your master."
The Old Lord hurriedly stepped forward.
"What are you grinning at? He's my disciple. Keep your distance!"
Yuanshi Tianzun looked at Miaole. "Everything about you is good. It's just your master who's a little unreliable."
Miaole did not answer, merely bowing again.
Yuanshi Tianzun nodded and raised a hand to point toward Xuanzang and the others. "If you're going to thank them, do it properly. Don't imitate your master and pretend to forget whenever you owe someone a favor."
The Old Lord glared at him. "When have I ever pretended to forget?"
Yuanshi Tianzun turned to Miaole. "Why not become my disciple instead?"
The Old Lord immediately planted himself between them. "I knew you were up to no good!"
"You just said you owed me a favor."
"That was then."
"And now?"
"Now it's up for discussion."
While the Old Lord and the Heavenly Venerable bickered, Miaole approached Xuanzang.
Xuanzang pressed his palms together.
Miaole bowed low.
"Miaole thanks you for your aid, Holy Monk."
Xuanzang extended a hand in a gesture of support.
"Benefactor Miaole, there is no need for such ceremony. This was what I ought to do. I would not presume to call it a kindness."
Miaole