It was just a simple sentence, and everyone present merely nodded. Ruyi also carelessly played with the ribbons at her waist, as if she hadn’t paid any attention at all.

However, the next day, the group from Meeting Immortals Tavern quite coincidentally encountered Crown Prince Zhao Shu, who was touring in civilian clothes at Liang Garden.

Zhao Shu’s personality was opposite to his father’s. Though born of noble blood, he had no arrogant bearing. He could engage in refined debates with scholarly gentlemen and also drink merrily with peddlers and laborers.

Today, having received orders to leave the palace and celebrate with the people, he didn’t go to the places arranged by the palace officials for banquets. Instead, he brought four guards and secretly went fishing by the stream. The fish in Liang Garden’s streams were famously fresh and tender. Most nobles sent servants to catch them, but he alone drove his guards to stay on shore while he rolled up his trouser legs and worked hard with his head down.

Fuman also happened to want to use those stream fish for cooking, so Yanning and Qingyi both rolled up their pants and went into the water to help, while Supreme Lord squatted on the shore fanning himself alongside Ruyi and Tinglan.

He felt a bit embarrassed: “Should I also go help?”

Tinglan was about to say that at his advanced age, it would be inappropriate for him to go down, when she heard Ruyi say cheerfully: “Go ahead.”

The deepest part of this stream could reach a person’s waist, so the fish were naturally not easy to catch. Even Qingyi, who had martial arts skills, hadn’t succeeded after quite a while, let alone Fuman and Yanning beside her.

Hearing this, the Supreme Lord went down, making Tinglan very worried: “His hair and beard are all white—how can he still wade through water?”

Ruyi laughed while fanning herself with a silk fan: “No need to worry. His body is more robust than anyone’s.”

Never mind a small stream—even throwing him into the sea would be fine.

However, that head of white hair was indeed eye-catching, and when the sun shone on it, it was even more dazzling. So much so that Zhao Shu, three zhang away, spotted it immediately. His expression changed at once, and he waded over in panic: “Old sir, old sir!”

Supreme Lord didn’t feel at all that he was being addressed, since he was only about ten thousand years old. Compared to those old immortals in heaven who were hundreds of thousands of years old, he was just a child.

However, the next moment, someone steadily supported his arm.

Amid splashing water, a young man looked over with eyes full of concern: “At such an advanced age, how can you still wade through this cold water? Quickly come up—here, let me help you.”

Before he’d even touched a fish tail, he was helped back to shore. Supreme Lord didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “I’m not afraid of cold water.”

“At such an advanced age, how could you not fear the cold?” He frowned and squatted down, using his robe hem to dry the water from his feet.

This action was completely natural, leaving the Lord stunned for a moment: “You… we don’t know each other at all. This isn’t proper…”

“Respecting the elderly extends to all elderly people—there’s nothing improper about it.” Zhao Shu had him support his shoulder with one hand while lifting his other foot to dry it.

There were no scholars with paper and brush nearby, and not many people in the distance were looking this way. This person wasn’t performing for others to see—it was simply his nature.

Ruyi nodded slightly.

“Good deeds bring good rewards” was something immortals often said. Zhao Shu’s good deed today would naturally be repaid by the Supreme Lord.

Supreme Lord looked at the faint golden light above this person’s head, thoughtfully. Seeing Zhao Shu help him put on his shoes and socks, then turn to look for his family, he spoke up: “I was being greedy, wanting to taste these stream fish.”

Zhao Shu stood up: “Just a few fish—I’ll give them to you.”

As he spoke, he called over his guards and generously gave him his fish basket, then advised: “You mustn’t go into the water again. Be careful lest your children be accused of unfilial conduct at the yamen—they’d have to take a beating.”

Supreme Lord smiled and stroked his beard: “I have no sons or daughters, only some friends. Meeting today is fate—would you be willing to join us in tasting these few stream fish?”

As he spoke, he pointed into the distance.

Several young men and women came ashore, all looking over with puzzlement.

Without thinking, Zhao Shu smiled and said, “Wonderful.”

Dining with people met by chance was much more interesting than seeing those who had been arranged.

“Young master.” Several guards wanted to speak but hesitated.

He waved his hand: “Since we’re here, naturally, there aren’t so many formalities. Come, old sir, let’s find a stove.”

Liang Garden had imperial refinement and naturally also had the wild charm of mountains and forests. On the grass beside the woods, cooking platforms were specially built for visitors’ outdoor cooking, equipped with pots, bowls, ladles, basins, and oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar. For just fifty cents, one could occupy a spot to celebrate with friends.

Yanning ran ahead and chose a cooking platform that was best for gathering firewood, then waved to them from afar: “Over here!”

Since Zhao Shu was a stranger, the young ladies all kept their distance. Only the Supreme Lord sat down with him, smiling as they chatted.

It was fine when they weren’t talking, but once they did, Zhao Shu discovered that this old gentleman was not only learned but also had very profound insights. He couldn’t help but become interested, sitting up straight to ask: “Some time ago, Lin’an suffered disasters, causing sudden chaos in society with theft and robbery occurring constantly. What kind of laws do you think should be enacted to calm this turbulent current?”

Supreme Lord stroked his beard and smiled: “Laws can punish evil, but cannot eliminate it. If you want the world to be peaceful, you must let everyone afford food, clothing, and sturdy houses to live in. As long as these are available, theft and robbery will naturally gradually disappear.”

At first glance, it seemed like he was speaking in platitudes, but when Zhao Shu thought carefully, yes, hadn’t these chaotic phenomena frequently appeared only after large numbers of people’s houses and farmland were flooded? As long as their lives could return to the previous prosperity, who would suddenly devise wicked schemes?

The elder before him had kind brows and gentle eyes, with an immortal bearing. In just a few words, he had resolved something that had troubled him for a long time. Zhao Shu couldn’t help but stand and bow to him: “I wish to take you as my master and receive long instruction.”

Supreme Lord wanted to decline, but Liu Ruyi beside him suddenly muttered quietly: “Eating someone’s fish and then accepting them as a disciple—you old thing are making out well.”

It wasn’t easy to earn her envy. The Lord felt pleased and went along with it: “Long instruction probably isn’t possible—I won’t be staying in Lin’an much longer. But I can accept a disciple. If you become my disciple, you’ll naturally have lucky stars shining on you and a wonderful destiny.”

The guards beside them frowned, unable to help, tugging at Zhao Shu’s sleeve: “Young master, this person is mysterious and strange, not like a proper person. With your noble status, how can you casually take a master?”

Zhao Shu disagreed: “Based on what he said, how can he be an improper person? Besides, are masters who aren’t casually taken necessarily good?”

He was referring to Grand Preceptor Liu, who murdered his wife and seized wealth.

Hearing this, the guard lowered his head and said nothing more.

Fuman quickly finished cooking the fish and served it. Over this table of food and wine, the Supreme Lord truly accepted Zhao Shu as his disciple and gently touched his forehead.

He was a generous immortal. Having received just a bit of care from Fuman, he was willing to let her have good fortune and turn danger into safety. Having received such respect and care from Zhao Shu, he naturally gave him the great benefit of having his heart’s desires fulfilled without reservation.

His most sincere wish would be realized in the coming days.