"Steward Hao!" Xiao Jian seemed to have met the old man before. Without waiting for him to speak, he hurried forward several steps and called out.
Steward Hao looked somewhat listless. Though hope lingered in his eyes, even that hope seemed on the verge of being extinguished in the night. Yet upon hearing Xiao Jian's call, his brows lifted, and a ready smile instantly spread across his face. He stepped out through the moon gate and cupped his hands. "Daoist Master Xiao! This old man had long heard of Daoist Master Xiao and Jiangchao Temple's great reputation, but I never had the chance to meet you. Seeing you today, you are indeed just as I imagined—bearing the air of an immortal and the bones of the Dao, with the bearing of a true master!"
"I dare not, I dare not!" Xiao Jian returned the salute. "This humble Daoist is merely one cultivator among the myriad practitioners of our Daoist school! Jiangchao Temple, too, has only been able to bring the people of Changsheng Town the blessings of True Person Xiao thanks to the Sea God Lord's grace. This humble Daoist merely stands upon..."
Xiao Jian's customary modesty! Yet before he could finish, "Dong, dong, dong..." The sound of a wooden fish suddenly came from within the moon gate, making Xiao Jian frown deeply.
Xiao Jian's words were immediately cut off. Somewhat puzzled, he looked past Steward Hao toward the shadows within the moon gate.
"Hehe, Daoist Master Xiao..." Steward Hao looked slightly embarrassed as he said quietly, "This old man sent a letter by goose feather to Jiangchao Temple, yet Daoist Master did not come for a long time. I knew Jiangchao Temple was flourishing with incense offerings these days, and Daoist Master likely had little spare time. So I