Yet Old Daoist Yuan kept prattling on. "You're right, Third Brother, you're right.
"Oh, speaking of you, Third Brother Liu, that name of yours, Liu Sanbian, is quite legendary!
"It reminds this old Daoist of a famous lyric poet who also seems to have been called Liu Sanbian."
"That Lord Liu Sanbian was a man of extraordinary talent and immense learning. His line, 'By the willow bank, in the dawn breeze beneath the waning moon,' has endured through the ages. How much sorrow it expressed!"
Old Daoist Yuan swayed his head, putting on a scholarly air. "The loneliness and wandering conveyed in those words truly stir the heart! Third Brother, sharing the name Liu Sanbian with such a sage of old is truly splendid!"
Liu Sanbian's expression gradually darkened, and his brows knitted tightly.
He had never thought Old Daoist Yuan was quite such a chatterbox.
What had gotten into him today?
Had the prospect of securing the Mountain-Tapping Hammer made him so excited that he had gotten carried away?
Up in the tree, however, Cui Jiuyang stared at the pair with wide, unblinking eyes, his expression full of anticipation.
Liu Sanbian took a deep breath, forced down his impatience, and waved a hand. "Mr. Yuan, there's no need for unnecessary talk. You've had a tiring journey, so sit down and rest. Obtaining the treasure must take priority today. Once I've refined those two and obtained the Mountain-Tapping Hammer, you'll receive your share of the benefits."
But the smile suddenly vanished from Old Daoist Yuan's face, replaced by a calm expression tinged with mockery and indifference.
He slowly raised his head, looked straight at Liu Sanbian, and said, enunciating every word:
"You didn't understand me, Third Brother Liu."
"What I meant was, does a mere king rat snake like you