The woman froze at his words, a trace of wariness flashing through her eyes, but she soon returned to normal.
After studying Song Yan closely for a moment, she suddenly broke into a smile, a hint of admiration and gratitude showing in her eyes.
She turned toward the rear courtyard and called softly, "Feng, come here."
The faint rustling of someone pruning plants had been coming from the rear courtyard all along. At the woman's call, a man in a coarse cloth robe lifted the curtain and stepped out.
It was Liang Feng.
Compared with their meeting at Beiya Mountain several years earlier, much of the gloom between his brows had dissipated. His cultivation remained at the Qi Refining sixth layer, but his complexion was far better.
"Fellow Daoist Song!" Pleasant surprise flashed through Liang Feng's eyes when he saw Song Yan. He strode forward and cupped his hands. "It's been years, yet you look as distinguished as ever."
Song Yan smiled faintly. "You look well. It seems Lanxi Cave is a nourishing place."
"This is Xiao Ju, my companion," he introduced, turning slightly.
Liang Feng nodded to Xiao Ju in greeting, then lowered his voice. "This isn't a convenient place to talk in detail. Come with me."
He turned to his wife and said gently, "A Qing, I'll take our guests to look around the valley. I'll be back later."
Understanding, the woman took a green jade talisman from beneath the counter and handed it to Liang Feng. "Be careful on the way." She then gave Song Yan and Xiao Ju an apologetic smile. "Our humble home is rather plain. Please forgive our inadequate hospitality."
They turned to leave. Xiao Ju glanced back at the woman, curiosity on her face.
Sensing the girl's gaze, the plainly dressed woman smiled