The whole of Heavenly Wave Valley was silent. Everyone stared blankly toward their Sect Hall. The disciples who had come forward to negotiate had long since fled in terror and vanished.
Li Xiucai nodded. "Two becoming one-now that makes for a good connection. All right... the stele base has been delivered, so I won't impose any longer. When your Sect Master returns, tell him I left once my business here was finished. From now on, Heavenly Wave Valley and Mianchi Academy are friends. There's no harm in visiting each other more often!"
Heavenly Wave Valley remained silent, as though it had died.
Li Xiucai brushed his sleeves and said to Lü Bufan, "Let us part here. As for Zhou Zhengyan and the matter in Huayin County, handle those yourself! If fate allows, we will meet again... cultivate well, and walk the broadest road in your own heart!"
Lü Bufan bowed. "I will remember your teachings, Mr. Li!"
"Mm. I'm off..."
A breeze blew past. Lü Bufan raised his head, and Li Xiucai had already vanished without a trace.
Lü Bufan glanced at the still deathly silent Heavenly Wave Valley, then turned and rode Wind-Riding, swiftly disappearing into the horizon.
The magistrate of Huayin County had been feeling unwell these past few days, so his wife had prepared a soup to replenish his blood and qi and sent a servant boy to deliver it. The concubine beside him felt rather jealous, but dared not sow discord.
Magistrate Meng lifted the soup bowl, took a sip, and smiled. "Stop pulling that bitter-melon face. My wife was born a daughter of a powerful family in the Capital City. I only became magistrate thanks to her family's standing... understand?"
"I wouldn't dare be jealous. I only wanted to make you a little happier, my