Many Mouths Can Melt Gold?

The blazing sun shone high, and Yi Xiang Peak lay in brilliant splendor. Beside a secluded, level mountain path, a pair of cranes strolled leisurely. From time to time, their long beaks lightly touched; their snow-white wings flecked with black spread gracefully, then folded again, painting a picture of tranquil ease.

Suddenly, as if they had heard some sound, the pair of cranes startled. Spreading their wings, they took flight, but having only just risen, they turned their heads to look back. Perhaps they recognized the newcomers. After circling once, they descended again, landing atop a boulder.

"Look at you, Senior Brother. Every time, you deliberately scare those little cranes."

"Not at all. I merely wanted to remind them that not everyone in this world is kind. They mustn't let down their guard just because others treat them well. If one day they leave Yi Xiang Peak, wouldn't they be caught and roasted in an instant?"

With a soft, charming laugh, a young man and woman emerged from around the bend.

The woman's skin was exceptionally fair, her features picturesque. Her face had originally been cool and aloof, but when she smiled, a hundred charms bloomed at once. She was Zhang Ping'er of Lihuo Hall. As for the man, there was no need to say—tall and thin, with small eyes and a flat nose, he was Zhang Xiaohua.

Zhang Ping'er smiled like a flower. "They say burning the qin and cooking the crane. You, sir, are even better—you go straight to roasting them to eat. Truly... truly... shameless!"

Zhang Xiaohua still rubbed his nose and said in puzzlement, "What? How had I never noticed this virtue of mine?" Then, seeing Zhang Ping'er already doubled over with laughter, he continued with a perfectly solemn face, "Meat gets tough when boiled. Roasting