"On a sunny day, the scenery is fine, red flowers and green grass..."
Li Ping'an hummed a little tune, his bamboo pole resting on his shoulder.
A woven basket hung from the other end of the pole as he arrived at the little river where he often fished.
Li Ping'an picked a clean spot.
Before long, a man with the bearing of an immortal sage walked over.
He too carried a fishing rod. "You're here, sir?"
"You're here too, sir," Li Ping'an replied.
"Indeed."
Then the two began fishing in silence.
Li Ping'an knew that the man was no ordinary person, and was most likely someone important at Demon-Suppressing Pass.
More likely still, he had come to make contact with him.
But since the man had not said so outright, he did not expose him either.
"You've caught quite a few fish today, sir." The man with the bearing of an immortal sage glanced at Li Ping'an's basket.
"Indeed. My Fairy is still waiting for my fish," Li Ping'an told him truthfully.
"We've known each other for so long, but you don't seem to know my name yet, sir," the man suddenly said.
Li Ping'an's expression did not change.
"I am Yang Jianbai, Second Palm Master of the Daoist Lineage."
"I won't introduce myself, then. I imagine you already know a great deal about me."
Li Ping'an said this not because he thought himself particularly famous, but because he knew the man must have investigated him long ago.
"What refined tastes you have, Mr. Li, opening a little inn here upon arriving at Demon-Suppressing Pass."
Li Ping'an smiled. "This little inn was actually lent to me by a cultivator here at your Demon-Suppressing Pass who goes by Qianlong."
"If you'd like a larger inn, Mr. Li, we have those here