Of course, I didn’t let him see my tear-streaked face. Because from childhood, Mother had warned me: “A daughter’s tears should not fall lightly; crying too much makes tears worthless.” If I truly made myself cry, I would research the reason behind it and avoid that source next time.

Therefore, it didn’t take many days for me to understand the source of these tears: Master hadn’t taken me along to play.

Fortunately, after this quarrel with Master, he treated me much better, taking me wherever he went and personally teaching me the immortal arts. It was sweeter than grapes from Loulan. And whenever we went out, whether ascending to heaven or descending to earth, everything was effortless for him. With just a distant glance, demons and devils would turn to ash and vanish.

As long as he was there, monsters couldn’t even touch a single hair on my head. I always had the illusion that I, too, was becoming divine.

He also asked Fu Chenzhi and me about matters concerning Suozhao. After learning about the immortal arts Father King had used, he pondered in deep thought for a long while, then suddenly said: “Your hometown, Suozhao—was it built beneath the azure moon?”

I honestly nodded my head. He sighed softly: “I too was confused, never thinking that Suozhao was the moon-city I built back then.”

“Yes, that’s why I said Master is like our ancestor, yet you always get angry with me.” Speaking to this point, sensing the air around us had grown cold again, I cleared my throat and pushed Fu Chenzhi: “Master is wise and mighty—how could he be the ancestor of our small Suozhao? Brother, don’t you think so?”

Yinze said, “Speaking of this city, Chenzhi, it was originally built for your mother.”

Fu Chenzhi said in astonishment: “My mother?”

Yinze said: “Yes. She loved the moon and preferred quietude. During those years when she wept bitterly for your father until her tears dried and her heart broke, I diverted the divine realm’s Luoshui River and built this city facing the moon, so she could go there from time to time to ease her heart.”

“Wow, the legend is true!” Hearing this story again, and from the person himself, I clapped my hands: “Master, Master, is brother’s mother your sister?”

Yinze said, “She is older than me, but she’s not my sister. She and I are merely old friends.”

“Regardless, this story is truly beautiful and moving! My entire hometown was indeed built by Master’s own hands. Master, you truly are our ancestor, the first god in disciples’ hearts!”

I had originally been kneeling before him, massaging his legs, but now I stopped and looked at him with longing, leaving him bewildered. He glanced at me and pushed my forehead: “Making strange faces again.”

But I hugged his leg, twisting about like a loach: “Master is so amazing, Master is so amazing. Disciple admires Master the most.”

Fu Chenzhi said: “Master, can you still not tell disciple who my father is?”

Yinze said decisively, “I cannot. You won’t be able to see him for now anyway, so knowing would be useless.”

“…Yes.”

Since Yinze began taking me along, I indeed became particularly clingy to him. And two months later, that fox immortal indeed disappeared from our sight as he had said.

However, as the time I spent with him increased, I gradually understood the true meaning behind Fu Chenzhi’s words about “Master is also a man.” That was: Master was essentially a great lecher!

Of course, I didn’t dare say this even in front of my brother. But the women around Master were replaced every two to three months, each more gorgeous than the last, each more seductive than the previous. When gorgeous, they outshone all flowers; when seductive, they couldn’t distinguish between human and beast. I truly didn’t understand—Master was so exquisitely beautiful, standing there from afar could instantly turn even the most ethereal immortal into a common mortal. How could he like this type of woman? Could it be for complementarity?

No matter how many times I pondered, I couldn’t figure out this logic. Later, I simply stopped thinking about it and directly adapted to his taste. Occasionally passing by his bedchamber and hearing women’s goosebump-inducing coquettish laughter, I could manage to let it go in one ear and out the other.

Some fellow disciples had also heard whispers about Yinze’s romantic affairs. They said Master’s behavior was called “debonair and unrestrained,” just like Tianshi City’s number one flower thief, Xiaoxiao Immortal, and the upper realm’s number one romantic god, White Tiger—it was male nature. But I had seen Xiaoxiao Immortal in person, and a senior sister had unfortunately been accosted by him. His appearance of waving a fan with a frivolous smile bore absolutely no resemblance to Yinze.

No matter what women were beside him, Yinze’s appearance was no different from usual, nor did he ever display the anxiety and vulgarity that other men showed when philandering. I often saw him ascending clouds and treading mist, drinking alone under the moon, ascending Mount Baidi, and descending to the Floating Buddha Star Sea. Except for when I occasionally thick-skinnedly insisted on following him, he was always alone.

How should I put it? I often felt that Master was a lonely person. But he was quite able to endure solitude, preferring to let people sleep in his bed rather than allowing them to reach the depths of his heart.

Thus, time passed relentlessly, seasons flowed like water, and another ten years hurried by.

This year, Fu Chenzhi’s rank jumped two levels, and now we all had to address him as “Tianheng Immortal.” He was truly majestic in all directions, like a fluttering battle banner.

Of course, being an otherworldly being, I naturally had nothing to advance in rank, but under Master’s guidance, my immortal arts had become quite remarkable, and even my hair had become much lighter. If I could find Suozhao one day, I would surely astonish everyone.

This year, the senior brothers and sisters from Qinghong Mountain also successfully ascended and moved to Tianshi City. In early spring, with evening rain falling, Chongming birds spread their wings and flew, flying catkins sticking to their sleeves.

Fu Chenzhi and I went to the foot of Mount Baidi outside the gates to welcome the senior brothers and sisters arriving by roc. Still in the mist, we could see Ruoli enthusiastically waving at us. Before the roc had even stopped at the post station, she had already flown over herself, smiling like brocade flowers: “Third Senior Brother, after ten years apart, have you thought of me?”

Fu Chenzhi said, “Of course, I’ve always worried about the senior brothers and sisters at Qinghong Mountain.”

“Third Senior Brother, you’ve grown taller. Oh no, I should call you Tianheng Immortal now.” Ruoli cupped her hands toward him, obviously ignoring my existence: “Tianheng Immortal, please accept this young woman’s bow.”

Just then, several other senior brothers also came over, greeting Fu Chenzhi one by one. Although they did so, their gazes occasionally glanced toward me. After a round of pleasantries, they finally came to speak with me.

Second Senior Brother said: “Junior Sister Luowei, long time no see. I hope you’ve been well.”

Skinny Monkey’s opening was as unconventional as always: “Is this Luowei? I almost didn’t recognize her!”

Ruoli pouted and scanned me several times, snorting: “Luowei, are you a disciple personally taught by the Great Master? How do you look even more like a demon than before?”

Second Senior Brother said, “Sigh, Ruoli, don’t speak like that…”

Indeed, no matter how much time passed, this girl’s mouth always made people want to tear it. The corner of my mouth twitched as I linked arms with Fu Chenzhi: “Brother, brother, I want to buy hairpins later. Will you accompany me?”

Fu Chenzhi said without hesitation: “Alright.”

“I don’t have money anymore. Will you buy them for me?”

“Alright.”

Seeing that Ruoli beside us was about to vomit, I smiled smugly and wickedly at her. Ruoli pointed at me: “Luowei, you, you, you’re getting more and more disgusting.”

I said: “Senior Sister, do you know that the person brother dotes on most is this little sister of his? If you want to be his wife, fine, but first you’ll have to pass my test. If you don’t come flatter me, brother won’t pay attention to you.”

Seeing Ruoli so angry, I was already rolling on the ground laughing inside. Following the Master had its benefits. Did they still think I was that little kid from before, ready to be bullied by anyone?

I linked arms with Fu Chenzhi and turned to leave. Looking back at them, I winked at Fu Chenzhi: “Brother, thanks. Look at them all glaring at me—I’ve vented a lot of anger.”

Fu Chenzhi said: “They’re not glaring at you, they’re staring at you.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“Of course not. They’re staring at you because you… Forget it. Pretend I didn’t say anything.”

I blinked innocently at him, putting on a confused expression, about to cry: “Brother, please tell me. I don’t understand at all.”

“I don’t want to say. Figure it out yourself.”

Seeing Fu Chenzhi was sulking, I couldn’t help putting my hands on my hips and laughing loudly: “Ha! Little Tianheng, do you think you can deceive the heavens by not saying anything? They stare at me because I’m as beautiful as a flower, resembling Mother Empress! But how can the beauty of this little princess of the great Suozhao Clan be coveted by these common immortal mortals! Hahaha… ah, wah! Brother, big brother, I was wrong…”

In any case, Peach Blossom Buddha’s words had some truth. Over these ten years, this little princess’s romantic prospects had bloomed one after another. To use words that would make all fairy maidens want to beat me to death: being pursued by so many people is sometimes quite tiring. But I didn’t think it was because I was good-looking, but because I was Divine Lord Yinze’s most treasured disciple.

Look, I had to run errands for Master again.

After Fu Chenzhi and I helped the new disciples settle into their accommodations, I went to Yangshui Harbor and found a delicate, willow-like figure. There was a slender beauty draped in colorful gauze, attracting many sidelong glances from passing men.

“Miss Rousang.” I patted her shoulder and handed her a bottle: “This is the Hundred Flowers Pill, Master asked me to give you. After taking it, you can increase your cultivation by a hundred years. Be careful on the road—it’s still quite far from here to the demon realm. You all, remember to watch over her.” This last part was directed at the servants beside her.

“The Divine Lord… is he truly so heartless?”

Rousang’s face was covered with glistening pink tears, making my heart clench. This was all Master’s fault. These past two years, his tastes had become somewhat varied. He used to particularly favor gorgeous women with black hair and vermilion lips, but now he was no longer interested in fox women, demon mirrors, lute spirits, or peacock immortals. Instead, he preferred pure, snow-skinned girls like Rousang. Previously, whenever he parted from various seductive women, I inevitably had to fight with these women at the docks.

I remember a firebird once said resolutely here, “Tell Yinze that henceforth he need not send brocade letters.” I honestly replied, “Miss, rest assured, Master won’t anyway,” and she spewed fire, burning me to a crisp on my return.

After Master changed his taste, most pure girls were relatively gentle, but I had to waste words every time explaining his heartlessness. Like this, Miss Rousang—beneath her shell was hidden a jade butterfly, and her little heart was incredibly fragile.

I scratched my head and smiled apologetically: “Actually, Miss Rousang, you’ve already stayed by Master’s side long enough. I’ve never seen him with anyone for more than two months. Besides, when you first followed him, didn’t you also say you didn’t like him at all and only wanted cultivation?”

“I did say that…” Rousang wiped away her tears: “But I never thought the Divine Lord was such a good person… I know I’m not worthy of him…”

She didn’t cling desperately, leaving behind an ink-wash-like silhouette. Singing “Yangshui parting feelings, if heaven had feelings, heaven too would age,” she drifted away. Seeing her so pitiful, not only I, but even Xuanyue’s eyes were filled with tender compassion.

I really couldn’t bear it and went to Bagua Peak on the outskirts to find Master.

Bagua Peak got its name because the mountain range resembled the eight trigrams, with two points, one solid and one void, naturally formed and quite interesting. This place had dangerous terrain but gathered heaven and earth’s spiritual energy—a good place for raising animals.

Yinze had recently obtained an ancient divine beast, a fire qilin, from somewhere. Treasuring it immensely, he kept it at Bagua Peak for care. When I reached the peak, he happened to be walking out of a cave with a group of immortals, looking at me indifferently: “Wei’er, what are you doing here?”

Before I could speak, one of his divine realm friends had already said: “Divine Lord Yinze has excellent taste—this girl is truly incomparably moving.”

“Wei’er—such an intimate address.” Another young master pointed at me with his folding fan: “It’s rare to see the Divine Lord bring out his beloved. Won’t you introduce us to which immortal maiden this little sister is?”

Yinze just looked to the side and sighed deeply. I also slapped my forehead hard, wanting to beat myself to death on the ground. This had been happening these past two years—whenever Master and I went out, we would always be mistaken for a couple.

Once I couldn’t stand it anymore and asked an immortal maiden who had misunderstood the reason. She said: “The Divine Lord never lets anyone get close, yet he’s so intimate with you, and your ages are compatible. It would be difficult not to misunderstand. If you were a bit older, you’d be more suitable.”

Someone, please, judge—do these people have eyes or not? Ages compatible? Do I look that old? Master appears to be a beautiful young man, but inside he’s an old ancestor. It’s one thing for ordinary wandering immortals to mistake us, but even these divine realm masters can be wrong? When Master calls me Wei’er, it’s an elder’s caring address for a junior, yet they interpret it as something else.

After repeated consideration, I felt this was still Master’s fault for being too beautiful.

Yinze said, “Wei’er, go back to my residence first. We’ll discuss anything after I return.”

That young master tapped his fan against his palm, looking at us with amusement: “Keeping a beauty in a golden house. Interesting.”

“Fine, I’ll go back. But before leaving, I still must say…” I took a deep breath: “I am Divine Lord Yinze’s disciple. Please don’t misunderstand, immortal lords.”

Seeing their disappointed faces, I finally left with peace of mind. In the afternoon, I heard Ruoli and the others clamoring about going to Fahua Cherry Plain, but I had no interest in joining the conversation. I just lay on the windowsill alone, gazing at the boundless spring night, heavy with thoughts.

Age was truly an annoying thing. Now fifty-two, I was in the prime of my young maiden years and should be carefree, yet because of age, I had to be cautious about many things. For example, ten years ago, I could kneel by Master’s legs and hug his legs like Xuanyue hugged me, but now that was completely impossible.

Before, I could follow behind him like a little tail, and people would at most take me for his little maid, never thinking anything else. Now I didn’t even dare stand too close to him. It was the same with my brother—we had much less physical contact than before. But somehow, brother and I were rarely misunderstood. Perhaps others could see we were fellow disciples, but with Master…

In the afternoon, Yinze returned, but I had no heart to see him and discuss future matters of showing tender care. I just stayed in my room feeling vexed. Until evening, I finally thought of a perfect idea.

Hearing that Yinze had gone to the Floating Buddha Star Sea again, I took Xuanyue and hurried over. Over these years, Xuanyue had grown considerably. Although still not large enough to carry me, its flight was more than twice as fast as before. So, on the way flying over water toward the Floating Buddha Star Sea, it even bit my clothing corner and pulled me along much faster.

That night, the flying mirror hung high in the purple void, the jade river stretched far, clouds and mist crisscrossed, stars brilliant as intoxicated beauty’s eyes. Yinze stood at the cliff’s edge, shoulders arched like eaves, sleeves like smoke. Still with his back to me, he said: “You didn’t come during the day—what are you doing here now?”

I walked forward a few steps, smiling: “Master is in a bad mood, so the disciple came to visit. Is that not allowed?”

“When did I say I was in a bad mood?”

“When your mood is good and when it’s bad, you both come to the Floating Buddha Star Sea. Today you bid farewell to Butterfly Sister—surely that couldn’t be because you’re in a good mood.”

“Don’t think you understand me so well.”

“Speaking of understanding, disciple does understand Master’s temperament somewhat. But you are so powerful and deep in schemes—disciples certainly can’t see through you. For example, why do you constantly change women? Disciple are almost tired just trying to remember their names. Is being with one person for a long time so boring? Or are you afraid that staying with someone too long will cause pain when parting?”

“Nonsense.”

“Even raising a beast for three to five years develops feelings, let alone with people. Why do you deny it?”

Yinze was silent for a long while, then said: “This isn’t a question you should ask.”

I said, “Disciple knows this is wrong.”

“Your mouth gets more glib, and you admit faults faster and faster. I haven’t managed you well.”

“Disciple just wants to say that if Master ever feels even the tiniest bit lonely, please find disciple anytime. Disciple will be here.” Knowing he definitely wouldn’t admit it, I quickly continued: “Ah, what foolish things am I saying? How could Master possibly feel lonely? The lonely one is a disciple, so the disciple often comes to talk with the Master.”

Yinze turned his head and looked at me with displeasure, obviously tired of my little cleverness. But having followed him for so many years, my skin was naturally not thin. I continued smiling brightly and went over to massage his arms. He was very accustomed to my massages—as soon as my hands touched him, he would relax and sit down. Just like now.

I rolled up my sleeves and rubbed his shoulders and beat his back, sweetly whispering honeyed words in his ear: “Master, disciple promises you that even after completing training, disciple won’t leave Master.”

Of course, his feedback was always less than ideal: “You’re still far from completing training. Don’t daydream.”

“Disciple has no home to return to, and Master’s home is everywhere under heaven. We’re the same. Master, if someday I can find Suozhao, you must wait for me. After I finish handling my hometown affairs, I’ll come back to find you. Then disciple won’t need to cultivate anymore—as long as the Master isn’t too busy, with one command, the disciple will come whenever called. Maybe I can cultivate to become an immortal, then become a god, staying by your side for eternity, not letting you be lonely.”

Yinze laughed softly: “That sounds nice. But I’ve already told you—a spirit cultivating to become immortal is almost impossible.”

“Disciple is willing to climb mountains of knives and descend into seas of fire for the Master, to be shattered to pieces without regret. I will try.” I rolled my eyes and said: “There’s a book in Jiuzhou that writes: ‘The Master said: A disciple is the master’s little padded jacket.’ That is to say, disciple is the Master’s little padded jacket.”

“That’s something you made up yourself.”

“Eh, how does Master know?”

I thought he would say he had read the Analects, but unexpectedly his answer was: “I am acquainted with Kong Zhongni.”

“Master, this topic can’t continue.”

Hearing him laugh softly, for some reason, I suddenly didn’t want to voice that perfect plan. I sighed and still forced myself to continue: “However, after following Master for so many years, the disciple has always had one unfulfilled wish.”

After speaking, I carefully glanced up at him. Yinze said: “Speak.”

I don’t know if it was because of the backlighting, but although Master wasn’t smiling, his eyes seemed somewhat gentle… No, this must be my poor eyesight. If it were gentle, would that still be Master?

I lowered my head shyly: “Disciple wants to accompany Master to find a master’s wife to bring back.”

Before us, the nebula swirled, moonlight boundless. For a long while, I received no answer from him.