“Mr. Chen.”
Stone tablets suddenly rose from the bottom of the Desolate Sea.
At first glance, they looked like an island, but it was actually a Water Demon in disguise.
Fuxi stood atop Baxia, holding a Folding Fan. He bowed slightly toward Mr. Chen.
Chen Changsheng looked at him and smiled warmly. “I haven’t seen you for a long ti.”
Many Water Demons like Fuxi wandered the Desolate Sea, but only those with enough power could do so safely. Otherwise, they quickly beca food for other Water Demons.
Fuxi had co earlier too, but he hadn’t gotten a chance to speak with Mr. Chen.
Now that they t again, they had more to say.
But most of it was unimportant things.
Just small talk about things they’d seen and heard.
When old friends et after years apart, maybe the unimportant chatter feels special precisely because it is so light.
Fuxi brought wine, saying he took it from a Demon King’s feast. Chen Changsheng didn’t refuse and accepted it.
Both gave freely, expecting nothing in return.
That was their friendship.
Chen Changsheng felt lucky. Over all these years, he rarely t people or demons who befriended him just for profit.
Such uncomplicated bonds were indeed a rare treasure.
After a while, Fuxi prepared to leave.
“The road ahead is long. Next ti we et, Fuxi will bring even better wine,” Fuxi said, bowing farewell.
Chen Changsheng laughed. “That won’t do. Next ti, it will be my turn to treat you.”
Fuxi smiled too. He always rembered Mr. Chen, not just because of the “Dragon Scripture.” Friendships should be light like water. That’s how theirs was.
“Farewell, Sir!”
“May the winds be fair.”
Baxia carried Fuxi away.
Chen Changsheng watched until they vanished from sight.
At that mont, Moyuan landed beside Chen Changsheng, now in human form.
“Sir…”
Moyuan called out.
Chen Changsheng glanced at him. “Just you again? I heard the Dragon Palace’s Eldest Prince was with you.”
Moyuan replied, “He felt his skills weren’t good enough. He was too shy to co.”
“Is that so…”
Chen Changsheng pondered. “He didn’t seem to mind things like that at the feast back then.”
“He’s more mature now,” Moyuan explained.
True, Moyuan was far senior to the Eldest Prince, older by many years.
Moyuan gazed out, watching powerful auras slowly fade away, heading back in the direction they ca from.
This looked ordinary.
But in the Desolate Sea, it was strange.
A saying in the Desolate Sea went: When Demon Kings gather, blood will surely spill.
Yet these cruel Demon Kings behaved unusually well this ti. They neither bothered nor spoke to each other.
“Sir, what do you think of these Desolate Sea Demon Kings?” Moyuan asked.
“I watch them standing there,” Chen Changsheng replied.
“Eh?”
Moyuan blinked.
Chen Changsheng explained, “I haven’t interacted with them much. I don’t know their nature. Without that, I can’t form an opinion. If I did, it would only be prejudice.”
Moyuan snapped out of it and chuckled. “Sir speaks truly…”
Through the years, Moyuan had cald and beco more reserved. His core hadn’t changed, but he’d gained so dignity, as was fitting.
“How are you these days?” Chen Changsheng asked.
Moyuan answered, “All is fine. Though it’s not as good as staying at the temple.”
Chen Changsheng countered, “The temple doesn’t offer the freedom of the outside world.”
Moyuan laughed softly. “Not really. At the temple, I could throw childish fits all I wanted. Outside… I can’t.”
Chen Changsheng sighed with a helpless smile. “Honestly, what’s so good about that?”
Moyuan scratched his head but didn’t answer.
After thinking, Chen Changsheng said, “After I finish this busy ti.”
Moyuan started. “Sir… plans to go back?”
“I must go back.”
Chen Changsheng said, “I can’t just drift with nowhere to land. After consideration, the mortal world feels best. People are there. Festivals happen. Wine can be drunk…”
Moyuan seed excited. “Back to the temple?”
“Not decided yet.”
Chen Changsheng said, “But returning to the temple would be wonderful.”
“Okay!”
Moyuan suddenly laughed again.
He looked a little silly for a mont.
He pondered, then asked, “Is there any way Moyuan can help Sir?”
Chen Changsheng thought. “Not for now.”
Opening the Underworld Palace’s reincarnation was sothing he intended to do alone. It was truly deadly.
When the ti ca, it would likely be just him.
Chen Changsheng added, “I’ll tell you once everything’s settled.”
Moyuan didn’t know what task Chen Changsheng faced, but he would trust his master’s word.
He still wanted to follow Sir, but Sir refused. Moyuan had to give up.
Even after so many years, he still pestered about becoming a mount. Even Chen Changsheng found it puzzling.
But during this eting, Moyuan didn’t chatter as much as before.
He had changed, carrying more of the majesty of a True Dragon.
After Moyuan left, Chen Changsheng traveled back toward the Cloudtop Manor, guiding the Evil Spirits.
He wondered how Cloudtop Manor was.
He wondered if the Tabby Cat still resented him.
…
In the Cloudtop Manor.
The Tabby Cat was pushing a fruit along the floor.
Who knew where this fruit had dropped from.
It played excitedly, darting and leaping all over the manor.
“Huahua!”
The Tabby Cat yelled. “Throw it to !”
Jian Shenghua tossed the fruit back.
“Thanks!” the Tabby Cat called, then resud its ga.
Jian Shenghua smiled, letting out a relaxed sigh.
Life in Cloudtop Manor was quiet. The Tabby Cat was the only fun he had, at least that’s what Jian Shenghua thought.
Just then, a woman in plain clothes stepped out from the trees.
Jian Shenghua paused, surprised. “Miss Manyue, it’s been so long since you last ca out.”
Manyue gazed into the distance. “Soone is returning.”
Jian Shenghua understood instantly.
“Ah, I see.”
The Tabby Cat’s ears were sharp. “Who’s returning?”
“Mr. Chen,” Jian Shenghua answered with a smile.
“Ah!”
The Tabby Cat yowled and raced to the very edge of Cloudtop Manor to wait.
It puffed up, looking quite fierce, as if ready to demand answers.
Manyue couldn’t help smiling and shaking her head.
Chen Changsheng flew back. Spotting Cloudtop Manor, he prepared to unlock the Formation Array barrier to enter.
But a Tabby Cat blocked his way.
“Stop!”
“Eh?”
The Tabby Cat stomped its paws. “You promised last ti you’d co back and take Lihua out to play! What did you do? After ‘next ti’ ca another ‘next ti’! You might as well never co back!”
Chen Changsheng paused, startled. Seeing the outraged face of the Tabby Cat, he burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at!”
“No laughing!!”
“I said NO LAUGHING!!”
“Aaaah!”
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