CHAPTER 207: FAREWELL BANQUET

A week had passed since the battle at the Ziyan Temple. During this time, Wang Sheng had been taking care of his master until Qing Yanzi's heart meridian began to stabilize and no longer required the constant support of enchanted power. Only then did Wang Sheng prepare to return to the Wudang Mountains to "move."

Just as Xi Lian had said earlier, wherever Wang Sheng went, she would follow. It seemed that only by staying close to him could she feel at ease. Perhaps she also feared losing control and stepping over a line that she could not go back from. Hence, throughout their week of stay at the military base where Qing Yanzi was recovering, everyone was on edge.

Because Mou Yue and Xi Lian had developed a fairly good relationship by bonding over the new phone, the Special Investigation Unit suspended all of Mou Yue's regular assignments and had her stay behind to accompany Xi Lian for leisure. Afterward, she would be required to write an observation report of no fewer than eight thousand words.

After all, Xi Lian was not just any fox fiend. She was a highly educated and refined cultivator who was already close to becoming an immortal. After spending just a few days practicing modern pronunciation, her language ability had become... roughly equivalent to Mu Wanxuan's level.

Meanwhile, Daoist masters and Special Investigation Unit personnel had all joined the nationwide crackdown on corrupt cultivators. Huai Jing had also taken Liu Yunzhi and Shi Qianzhang along to participate in various battles. Their enthusiasm was extremely high, as if slaying corrupt cultivators in real life would grant them actual experience points.

Defeating corrupt cultivators did come with monetary rewards and other substantial bonuses. Eliminating a Golden Core Realm corrupt cultivator could even earn them enough to buy... a restroom in the most expensive cities in the Hua Republic.

Previously, Xi Lian had stepped in and wiped out an entire battlefield, greatly reducing casualties and earning considerable "military merit." This was converted into the mountain-view villa now registered under Wang Sheng's name. The authorities even formally informed Xi Lian of the reward, though she didn't really care much for it.

Living day by day, she seemed indifferent to everything. When Mou Yue and Mu Wanxuan played funny videos to amuse her, she only smiled faintly and revealed little emotion.

She was clearly trying to suppress her feelings.

Wang Sheng had been secretly observing Xi Lian. Beneath her calm and gentle demeanor, she seemed to carry a deep melancholy and restlessness.

That much was understandable, though. After all, hundreds of years of unrequited love were hard enough, yet the very Daoist master she loved for a thousand years also sealed her away. That would almost inevitably lead to a devilish transformation.

Thinking it through, what troubled Xi Lian the most was likely the hatred that she had developed toward Qinglin after turning into a devil. It had sunk deep into her bones.

Now, although Santong had purified her of devilish qi, the emotional attachment remained. The remnants of her devilish nature still lingered because that obsession could not be removed. Between love and hatred, she likely carried immense sorrow.

Emotions had to be released, not repressed. Who could possibly counsel someone whose cultivation was nearly the same as an immortal, though?

Troubled by the question, Wang Sheng discussed the matter with Qing Yanzi before heading to the Wudang Mountains. His master offered simple but enlightening advice.

"If you don't try, how will you know if she's willing to open up? Maybe she's just looking for someone to vent to. After a thousand years, that attachment should have faded quite a bit. Don't be afraid."

Hence, Wang Sheng decided that after leaving the military base and returning to the Wudang Mountains, he would ask Mu Wanxuan to try talking with Xi Lian. Though not particularly expressive, his senior sister was his only option.

Ever since Xi Lian got her phone, it had only taken a few days for her to become inseparable from Mu Wanxuan. At first, Mu Wanxuan taught her how to use the phone and how to search for information with it. Being able to teach a senior expert something—no matter how simple—gave Mu Wanxuan a bit of pride.

In the first two days, Xi Lian had developed a keen interest in modern science, the stars, and literature. The many cultures that existed on Earth today also surprised her.

By the third day, she had started watching documentaries, going from human warfare to the exploration of space, and then into the evolution of Western mythology and philosophy. She looked every bit like a scholar, though she mostly just gained surface-level understanding.

By the fourth and fifth day, things took another turn. Wang Sheng happened to see their chat log on Mu Wanxuan's phone.

Mu Wanxuan: Senior Xi Lian, these are the three most heartfelt and brilliantly written manga I've ever read. Highly recommended!

Xi Lian: Oh? That sounds interesting. No need to call me Senior. Just use my name. I don't care for all that formality.

Half a day later.

Xi Lian: Little Xuanxuan, do you have more? These illustrated stories are quite fascinating.

Mu Wanxuan: Top fifteen completed anime series that made me cry! Highly recommended! Bonus: fifteen exclusive meme packs unlocked!

Xi Lian: Thanks for the resources, Manga Expert!

All Wang Sheng could do was sigh heavily and feel the loneliness of life wash over him.

Taking all that into consideration, having Mu Wanxuan talk to the half-immortal fox was the most logical approach and probably the most effective for opening her up.

Following Qing Yanzi's advice, Wang Sheng added another secret weapon: alcohol.

Alcohol was useful. It could stir emotions and set the mood for heartfelt conversations.

He asked Mou Yue in advance to procure a few good bottles of liquor, and also called Zhou Yinglong to prepare a table full of delicious food. It would serve as a proper farewell to their little courtyard at Wudang.

Normally, whenever Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan assisted the Special Investigation Unit on missions, they were automatically given good treatment. They were even given dedicated cars and personal handlers.

This time, though they were simply returning to Wudang, the level of reception spiked dramatically due to the stunning half-immortal fox. They were flown by helicopter to a military airport, then transferred by private jet to the airport nearest to Wudang. From there, a luxurious car drove them to the mountain gate of Wudang.

They were treated like top-level figures.

Wudang did not send any sect disciples to formally greet Xi Lian, which was understandable. Major sects had their own dignity and reserve. Still, the small courtyard where Wang Sheng and his master had lived for years had been thoroughly cleaned. The path up the mountain had been repaired as well.

Zhou Yinglong, Meng Hong, and Hao Ling, all close friends of Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan, were waiting for them near the Huilong Temple. Mou Yue had also come along. They arrived on the mountain in the afternoon, and she immediately began preparing the farewell banquet that Wang Sheng had requested.

They only returned to pack a few clothes. It was more about ceremony than practicality. They didn't even have to bring his master's small color TV and their "heritage notebook" to their new home.

That evening, Zhou Yinglong and Meng Hong carried over a long table and a few bamboo chairs, setting everything up in the courtyard. The group of young people and the half-immortal fox made just the right number to fill a full table.

Xi Lian's presence dramatically raised the average age of the group.

Tonight, everyone drank except for Hao Ling, whose cultivation forbade alcohol. Hearing that Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan were moving away to continue their cultivation, Meng Hong and Hao Ling looked a bit reluctant, while Zhou Yinglong let out a long sigh.

They all knew the real reason but dared not bring it up.

Zhou Yinglong opened a bottle of baijiu and placed it in front of himself. Then he opened another bottle and set it before Wang Sheng.

"Cheers!"

He raised his head and took two big gulps, then burped loudly. "No one's going home sober tonight!"

Wang Sheng smiled and shook his head, then also took a swig. "Think I'm afraid of you? No one's allowed to use true essence to sober up. We're drinking properly tonight!"

Meng Hong smiled helplessly, opened a bottle of baijiu, and grumbled, "There are only three men here. If I don't drink straight from the bottle, I'll look weak."

The liquor was rather expensive. Mou Yue tried to stop them, but it was too late.

Half an hour later, Hao Ling repeatedly apologized while holding up the completely drunk Zhou Yinglong and Meng Hong on each side. She brought them back.

After seeing them off, Wang Sheng sat at the courtyard gate. Already halfway drunk, his cheeks glowed red as he stared at the stars.

At the still mainly untouched table, Mou Yue, Mu Wanxuan, and Xi Lian toasted to one another, chatted softly, or typed on their phones. It was quite peaceful and warm.

Mu Wanxuan was slightly flushed, while Mou Yue remained sober. Xi Lian's enchanting gaze always seemed dreamy, which made it hard to tell whether she was drunk or not.

They had agreed beforehand not to use enchanted power to neutralize the effects of alcohol. This had been one of Wang Sheng's subtle little schemes.

Mou Yue had not forgotten the real objective. Using the mood that the alcohol had created, she first targeted Mu Wanxuan, steering the conversation toward love and relationships.

"Daoist Master Bu Yu, when are you going to finally be with Daoist Master Fei Yu?"

Xi Lian's eyes lit up; she was clearly intrigued.

Mu Wanxuan blinked and typed a few words into her phone.

Mu Wanxuan: Do you mean becoming immortal? Even after ascension, there seem to be many more realms. Reaching true fruition still feels like a long way off.

"I mean romantic stuff!" Mou Yue pressed her thumbs together, gave them a little twist, and lowered her voice. "Are you two officially a couple?"

Mu Wanxuan finally understood. She glanced at Wang Sheng, who was sitting at the courtyard gate, and found herself at a loss for words.

Xi Lian, using her newly learned modern phrasing, asked softly, "Are you childhood sweethearts?"

"Not really," Mou Yue said. "Daoist Master Fei Yu joined the mountain at seventeen. They didn't grow up together."

"Oh? Fei Yu must be quite talented, then," Xi Lian said with a faint smile. She looked at Mu Wanxuan and quickly brought the topic back. "Little Xuanxuan, have you developed feelings for him?"

Mu Wanxuan pursed her lips, frowned slightly, and typed another line into her phone.

Mu Wanxuan: Isn't my current relationship with my junior brother as martial siblings good enough?

"It is, but you two could be even closer," Mou Yue replied with a blink. "There's such a thing as Daoist partners in cultivation, right? It's a much more intimate bond than just being martial siblings."

She then began signaling frantically to Mu Wanxuan, urging her to keep the conversation going. After all, the main goal tonight was to help Xi Lian open up her heart.