Сity walk
Master Xia and Mei are strolling through the city now, with Mei holding an umbrella to shield Xia Tao and herself from the sun. As they walked Xia Tao couldn't help but express his frustration.
"Mei, how many times do I have to ask you not to carry this thing around?"
"At least one more time, Young Master."
"But why do we need it?"
"So that people can see that the Young Master is passing by."
"And why should they see that? Isn't my attire enough?"
" ... I enjoy carrying it for you. Please allow me to continue."
"fine, as you wish." I sighed
Along the way, we bumped into a familiar young cultivator, Lin Zhi.
"Oh, isn't this Xia Tao?"
"Hello, Lin Zhi."
"And greetings to you, my lovely Mei " he turned his head towards Mei, who transformed into an icy statue and replied:
"And greetings to you, Lord Lin Zhi."
"ekhhhm, you seems to not like me, but don't worry, Mei, I will eventually win your heart and take you away from Xia Tao.
"I wouldn't count on that." Mei replied
"Ahem, Xia Tao, what brings you here?" Lin Zhi asked
"Just taking a stroll. And what about you?"
"I'm in a rush to take care of my future wife. I'm planning to take her to the theater."
"How is Ma Jing doing?"
"Ma Jing? That was just a passing fancy. But what I have now is serious."
I raised an eyebrow and asked with enthusiasm and genuine curiosity:
"And what is the name of this unfortunate woman?"
"Why do you say unfortunate? I will make her the happiest person alive. Her name is Liu Qing, the only daughter of the Liu family."
At that moment, Mei and Xia Tao's faces lit up with genuine surprise.
I blurted: "But she got married into the Yang family, didn't she?"
To which Lin Zhi quickly replied, "That was a misunderstanding. There are no feelings there. She plans to divorce him. She... she loves me." Lin Zhi smiled dreamily. "We will live forever and happily together."
"And how do you know that she loves you?"
Lin Zhi stretched out in a smile and gazed into the distance. "She told me herself. Yesterday, when she escaped from the mansion, we walked under the moons and discussed our future plans. We are planning to join a sect, you know."
I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Seriously? Which sect?"
Lin Zhi chuckled. "I won't tell you yet. It's a secret. We still have a few obstacles to overcome on the path of our love. It will be eternal, like the sun!"
"Well, it's time for us to go," I said, pulling Mei away. I whispered in her ear, "Let him be. Life won't teach him anything. He won't see the problem even if it breaks his face."
With that, we walked away, leaving Lin Zhi behind with his dreams of eternal love.
***
As we walked away from Lin Zhi, I couldn't help but marvel at this fascinating fox, Liu. She never ceases to live an interesting life, even after getting married. I wonder how it will all end. Hopefully, Lin Zhi won't end up with a beaten black and blue. Hahaha.
Continuing our leisurely stroll, we reached the alchemist's shop. Mei folded the umbrella, and we entered. Inside, stood the elderly familiar alchemist, dressed in lavish attire, engaged in an animated whispering conversation with a middle-aged man dressed plainly without any distinct insignia. After a couple of minutes, they finished, and I greeted them, requesting the package. While the alchemist sent his young assistant to fetch it, I walked along the shelves, seeing if there was anything useful.
At that moment, the middle-aged man concluded his conversation with the alchemist. They shook hands like the best of friends, with wide smiles. The man decided to leave and glanced at us, catching sight of the clan mark embroidered on my clothes then looked at my face, turned around, and departed on his own business. Or at least, he attempted to. At the doorway, he collided with another young man slowly making his way through the entrance. Young man melodically but quite piercingly exclaimed looking at the man:
"Move aside, hobo! Can't you see the elegant and splendid Yang Hao approaching? Do not dare to block my path."
The man choked on the air, clearly taken aback by what was happening, and looked at the young master as if he were some strange creature.
"What's with your mouth hanging open? Move aside, trust me, you don't want to see me angry."
To this, the man mysteriously smiled, half-bowing, and said, "Oh, my eyes had sight, but I failed to perceive the magnificence of Mount Tai. Please accept my humble apologies, magnificent and resplendent young master Yang Hao. I am confident that everyone who witnesses your current appearance will forever remember and thank the heavens for this moment, even telling their children about this event. Please forgive me; I was simply blinded by your presence. I will undoubtedly boast to everyone about having seen your unique style and beauty." As he finished his words, he made a discreet hand gesture, releasing a burst of spiritual energy.
Unbeknownst to Yang Hao, an illusory lush tail and comb began to grow, shimmering with various colors. On his clothes, a large inscription appeared, "The Most Charming and Alluring."
"No worries, it happens to everyone who encounters such beauty and charm. Fortunately, you have enough wisdom to acknowledge it," the young master Yang Hao responded with a nod. And with that, Yang Hao began to walk toward the alchemist while the man, still wearing a mysterious smile, let him pass and went about his own business.
The young man, as he walked toward the alchemist, didn't even wonder why several people, including the alchemist himself, were looking at him with wide eyes. After all, today he was wearing a new outfit made from fabric brought from a neighboring province. *Yes, yes, feast your eyes upon the great me* he thought to himself.
But as he approached the alchemist, he caught a glimpse of his new appearance in the window's reflection. He froze in place, unable to believe what he saw. Waving his hand, he took out a beautiful golden mirror adorned with precious gemstones from a spatial ring, with a small tail-shaped handle. Looking into the mirror, he saw his tail, comb, and face begin to change different colors multiple times, depending on the thoughts swirling in his mind. Finally, with the words:
"Ah, you wretched vagabond," he burst out like a bullet and raced off in a direction he knew well, leaving behind a trail of puzzled but nonetheless smiling or even laughing people.
"I'll kill you!" came the enraged shout from a distance as he disappeared.