Hua Che arrived alone.

Late autumn had passed, and winter had arrived in the blink of an eye. Snowflakes drifted in the sky, and even the lotus pond in the courtyard was covered with a thin layer of ice chips.

Mei Cailian came to welcome Hua Che.

Hua Che had anticipated this. Although Chu Binghuan was acting sect master, Mei Cailian's eyes didn't miss any of the sect's affairs. She wore a splendid silk dress embroidered with exquisite blue lotuses, looking exceptionally beautiful. Her head was adorned with pearls and jade, shining brilliantly, exuding an air of elegance and nobility.

Compared to the usual simple and dignified female cultivators, Mei Cailian looked more like a noble consort who had stepped out of the palace.

"Young Friend Hua, what brings you to Yuntian Shuijing again?" Mei Cailian asked.

After all, she was Chu Binghuan's mother, and Hua Che couldn't afford to be disrespectful. He bowed first and then said, "I have a message to deliver on behalf of my master."

Mei Cailian replied, "You can tell me, and I will convey it to Binghuan on his behalf."

Hua Che responded, "Please forgive me, Madam. My master instructed me to tell Chu Binghuan personally and did not authorize me to relay the message through another."

"Master Hua indeed follows his master's orders meticulously," Mei Cailian smiled faintly, her tone neither friendly nor hostile. "You also understand that Binghuan is busy with important matters. His uncle is critically injured and in seclusion, leaving him solely responsible for Yuntian Shuijing. Where would he find the time for idle conversation with you? If you tell me the matter now, when he's free, I will convey it to him."

Hua Che responded with a polite smile, "Too busy to spare a moment for a single word?"

Mei Cailian's expression turned colder. "Could it be, Young Master Hua, that you think I am intentionally preventing your meeting with him?"

"Seems like tonight is different from other nights," she continued, mocking. "Having achieved top rank at the Sect Tournament, you now dare to speak this way to your elders!"

Hua Che was utterly shocked, hesitating before realizing. He pointed at himself in disbelief, "How am I filled with pride? How do I disregard others? Have I spoken out of turn? I came all the way from the Lingxiao Palace on behalf of my master to pass on a message. Why does Madam interpret it with such malice?"

"I judge others by my own lowly standards?" Mei Cailian laughed loudly. "If it were a straightforward message, why would you need to conceal it? I suspect your supposed message from Zhuang Tian is false, and the real purpose is to meet Chu Binghuan privately."

Hua Che: "..."

"Madam," the maid bowed, interrupting, as Chu Binghuan stepped into the room ahead of her.

At the sight of Hua Che, Chu Binghuan inexplicably recalled the final scene from his previous life. Considering the unsettling nightmares that had disturbed him lately, he felt a sudden surge of fear.

Approaching Hua Che, Chu Binghuan attempted to steady his frantic emotions, lowering his voice reluctantly. "Why have you come to see me?"

"To meet with you privately," Hua Che replied.

Chu Binghuan was taken aback.

Mei Cailian widened her eyes in surprise.

After a moment of hesitation, Chu Binghuan murmured, "Private meeting... Shouldn't that be done discreetly?"

Hua Che held back his laughter and glanced again at Mei Cailian. Her expression clearly conveyed, ‘You sneaky, shameless vixen, making up nonsense about delivering a message. Ha! You've been exposed. You're really here to meet Chu Binghuan in private.’

Hua Che barely suppressed a laugh. Observing Mei Cailian's expression, he retorted with a smirk that seemed to say, ‘You're making me say things; it's none of my business. I'm innocent; I'm just doing as you wish.’

Chu Binghuan suddenly found himself smiling, a rare occurrence for him. Always cold and aloof, he kept others at a distance. Little did they know that when he smiled, he was gentle as water, warm as the morning sun.

Ignoring the presence of others, Chu Binghuan took Hua Che's hand and said with a smile, "We already have an engagement. There's no need for secret meetings. Come to me openly whenever you wish."

Mei Cailian: "..."

Hua Che: "..."

"Let's go." Chu Binghuan took Hua Che's hand to leave, and only then did Hua Che react, hastily saying, "I'm just here to deliver a message."

Chu Binghuan's smile was faint, barely discernible to those not paying close attention. "Since you're here, I'll show you around Yuntian Shuijing."

So what was supposed to be a quick exchange turned into Chu Binghuan dragging Hua Che around most of Yuntian Shuijing.

By the time they reached the Bamboo Pavilion, Chu Binghuan carefully observed Hua Che's expression, finding it calm as usual. He then casually brought him inside, pretending nothing was amiss.

The Bamboo Pavilion nestled by mountains and waters offered picturesque views. As they drew closer, the refreshing scent of bamboo permeated the air, complemented by a faint herbal fragrance, evoking a sense of of paradise, the leisurely feeling of floating clouds and wild cranes.

Of all Yuntian Shuijing, this was Hua Che's favourite place, where he inexplicably found peace of mind.

Inside the Bamboo Pavilion, the air was cool, filled with the gentle bubbling of boiling water, the scent of bitter herbal fragance, and the occasional soft sound of footsteps as someone moved inside and out with exceptional lightness.

All of this always managed to clear his mind, making him drowsy.

It was here that, after becoming the Demon Lord, he had his first peaceful sleep.

Lost in thought, Hua Che nearly ate a lotus seed from his plate, snapping out of it with a bitter taste lingering.

Chu Binghuan mischievously placed the lotus seeds and bean paste cakes close by, easily accessible to Hua Che if he drifted off again.

Chu Binghuan's explanation for this was, "Lotus seeds nourish the heart and calm the mind. There's no harm in eating a few more."

Hua Che forced it down and brought up the main topic. "On the 14th of the first lunar month is Xie Wanting's birthday. Master received an invitation from Yeyou Mansion specifically naming you, me, Senior Brother, Mu Rongsa, and Lin Yan to attend."

Chu Binghuan nodded, asking, "Did you come here specifically to inform me of this?"

Hua Che replied, "It just happened to be on my way. Since it's nearly year-end, Master wants us to return home for New Year's and then meet directly at Yeyou Mansion next year, skipping the return to the sect."

The Lingxiao Palace's reputation had grown considerably, so Xie Wanting's invitation to Zhuang Tian and the top three of the Sect Tournament — Hua Che, Chu Binghuan, and Mu Rongsa— along with Lin Yan who had formed a bond with the Chongming Bird in the third round, was quite reasonable.

Except for that Senior Brother Wen Yuan...

Nothing particularly special, his performance at the Sect Tournament was also just average, not outstanding.

Xie Wanting specifically mentioned on the invitation that he wanted them to bring Wen Yuan along. Could it be that... because of his status as the eldest disciple, he was likely to inherit the position of Zhuang Tian Sect Master in the future?

Zhuang Tian couldn't figure it out, Wen Yuan was clueless, and Hua Che couldn't be bothered to think too much about it.

*

On New Year's Eve, families reunited under the bright lights of a myriad of households.

Zhuang Tian celebrated in the Lingxiao Palace with his five disciples and an immortal crane. It was the same as last year, dispersing his disciples back to their own homes before the New Year, as they couldn't all stay at the sect and be prevented from reuniting with their parents!

Lin Yan returned to his hometown in the countryside. Ten li away, he could already hear the sounds of drums and firecrackers in the streets. The village head personally came out to welcome him, addressing him as an immortal teacher, treating him like a deity who could save lives and disasters. It seemed as if just breathing the same air as him could add a hundred years to one's lifespan.

Compared to Lin Yan's glorious return home, Mu Rongsa sneaked away with his tail between his legs. As soon as he stepped through the mountain gate of Fengming Valley, his own father chased him with a cane. In the end, Mu Rongsa tearfully sought solace from his grandmother, who treated her grandson as her lifeline and couldn't be reasoned with. She scolded Mu Qinian harshly, ending the matter on a sour note.

Then Mu Rongsa resumed his extravagant life of disowning his relatives.

When Hua Che returned to Hangzhou, Granny Jiang was no longer working at the Drunken Mansion. She took Hua Che's advice and started a small business herself.

It was all thanks to a casual remark by the old madam at the Drunken Mansion, praising Granny Jiang's skill in making noodles. Every time Hua Mei’er fell ill, Granny Jiang would make her a bowl of hot noodle soup, and Hua Mei’er would recover the next day.

Hua Che had tasted Granny Jiang's noodles himself and found them truly delicious—rich broth, firm and smooth noodles.

Working at the Drunken Mansion inevitably brought some troublesome customers. Hua Che arranged for Granny Jiang to have a not-so-small shop. At first, Granny Jiang was reluctant; being used to poverty, she hesitated to invest, fearing she might incur losses. But eventually, Hua Che persuaded her, saying, "Just go ahead and do it. If it doesn't work out, it's on me."

As it turned out, once you have an idea in mind, you should be brave enough to try it out. Hesitating and wavering will only lead to failure.

Granny Jiang had lived in this area for half her life, well-known to everyone in the neighbourhood. When they heard about her new shop opening, they all came to support. First in line were the girls from the Drunken Mansion, followed by the wealthy young gentlemen who liked to splurge. They made Granny Jiang's noodle shop lively and bustling. With good taste, generous portions, and Granny Jiang's genuine personality, her fame gradually spread.

Business was booming, but envy inevitably arose from other quarters. One family tried to cause trouble, but their luck was abysmal—on the day they caused a scene, Hua Che happened to be in the shop.

The outcome was predictable.

That troublemaker fled out pissing in his pants in terror. Since then, everyone knew that this old lady had an immortal backing her. Though frail in appearance, her immortal guardian was exceptionally fierce when provoked, and no one dared to mess with her.

And so, "Old Jiang's Noodle Shop" thrived and flourished.

On New Year's Eve, Granny Jiang closed her shop early and prepared a table full of delicious dishes for Hua Che. She chattered incessantly about all the things she had seen and heard these days, the joyful anecdotes from the neighbourhood. Hua Che listened with delight, and before he knew it, he had unwittingly had two extra cups of wine.

Outside, the lights were dimming, and in the ink-black night sky, colourful fireworks blossomed one after another. Inside the house, charcoal burners were lit, and Hua Che was starting to feel a bit tipsy.

"Master Hua Che, this wine is strong; don't drink too much," Granny Jiang said. In a moment of distraction, she hadn't noticed Hua Che had managed to drink two whole pots. Normally, someone who enjoys alcohol would be down after half a pot, but fortunately, Hua Che was a cultivator; otherwise, he would have been out cold for ten days.

"In 'Drunken Mansion’ your Mom used to deal with those customers who refused to pay their bills or cause trouble. Drinking so much at once, are you sure you'll be okay?" Granny Jiang said, preparing to brew sobering tea.

Hua Che grabbed her and smiled, "I won't be knocked down by mere mortal wine."

Relieved that Hua Che wasn't falling over drunk, Granny Jiang couldn't help but ask, "Master Hua Che, what's on your mind? Is it... related to Master Chu?"

"You mean Chu Binghuan?"

Granny Jiang was surprised, "Master Hua Che hasn't been thinking about him?"

"A little," Hua Che replied somewhat embarrassedly, "but mostly, I've been thinking about you, Granny."

"Old me?" Granny Jiang looked pleasantly surprised, "What about old me?"

"I..." Hua Che set down his cup, meeting Granny Jiang's curious gaze, "I don't want to go back to the Lingxiao Palace."

 

Translator: DarNan