For Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji, the dinner banquet at Li Ping's official residence was merely a formality. Mainly because they had matters on their minds, they observed the basic courtesies, but nothing more. Li Ping tried several times during the banquet to probe indirectly for something, but Zuo Wuji was sleepy to death, dazed and muddleheaded all over, and naturally gave no response time and again.
Yet Li Ping did not consider this reaction rude. Instead, he felt it was indeed the bearing of a master. He had also heard from Li Feng that this Martial Sage was still somewhat unaccustomed to the language here. Li Feng, on the other hand, could tell that something was not quite right with Zuo Wuji. Throughout it all, Ji Yuan merely drank and ate by himself, signaling Li Feng not to speak with him, serving as a proper foil.
As soon as the banquet ended, Zuo Wuji returned to his room and collapsed into sleep. This time, he truly fell unconscious. Even thunder for an entire month would not wake him, unless danger drew near and triggered him awake.
During Zuo Wuji's slumber, he spent the first half recovering his spirit. In the latter half, dreams occasionally came to him, chiefly of discussing the martial dao with Ji Yuan and Zhu Yan. Even the true qi within his body would react to varying degrees and circulate on its own.
Throughout that month, the servants of the official residence often came to see Zuo Wuji. Even Li Ping occasionally came in person, but Great Hero Zuo remained in "secluded cultivation."
Even so, Li Feng still ran over to this courtyard every day, staying beside Ji Yuan to watch him write and listen to him speak, just as he did today.
"Mister Ji, why