It was September, and Purple Emblem Mountain was cloaked in autumn yellow.
Linghu Qingmo walked down the steps outside the Book and Sword Pavilion, carrying his sword. His little junior sister A Cai held up the hem of her Mamian Skirt, her sparkling eyes full of envy.
Zhang Guan walked ahead in Daoist robes, looking somewhat wistful.
"A grown girl cannot be kept at home. I remember when you were about A Cai's age, clambering all over the Book and Sword Pavilion every day. In the blink of an eye, you're almost ready to be promised to someone."
Linghu Qingmo looked solemn, but there was obvious embarrassment in his eyes.
"Senior Zhang, what are you saying? Xie Jinhuan and I just work together at the Commandery Princess's Manor..."
A Cai held her skirt and muttered:
"Ooh~ Young Master Xie wanted some Heavenly Treasures, and Senior Sister rushed back to the mountain from Luojing without a word, pestering Martial Uncle with every soft and stubborn tactic. Then you were unhappy when you couldn't get them. Hmm... already turning your elbow outward!"
Linghu Qingmo secretly pinched his junior sister's cheek.
"Xie Jinhuan is refining pills to increase his cultivation so he can slay demons and exorcise evil, too. Besides, he isn't taking them for nothing. He'll certainly repay them in time."
Zhang Guan stroked his beard and sighed. "Xie Jinhuan and I have fought demons together. If our sect had those treasures, I would accommodate him even without you asking. But Diamond Dew comes from the Bodhi Ancestor Tree. Only the Buddhist Sect has it. You know the current situation: Daoism and Buddhism are at drawn swords. I really cannot easily ask to borrow something from the Buddhist Sect and owe them a favor..."
Linghu Qingmo had promised to ask around for