The Immortal's Poison

Chapter 80: Congratulations

A hysterical scream completely shattered Wen Leyang’s happiness from being reborn. Mumu blushed so redly that it felt like her blood was almost seeping out of her face. She wished that the sitting toad would open its mouth so she could dive into it to hide her embarrassment.

Wen Leyang’s hair and moustache were in a mess. His hair was standing weirdly on one end. Wen Xiaoyi was also blushing but she circled around to Wen Leyang’s back. She frowned as she laughed, “Why are your buttocks still covered with two black patches?”

Wen Leyang, with one hand covering his front and another covering his back, clamped his two legs tightly and hopped away like a bunny... With his improvement in his power of poison, he could hop faster and higher.

After a long while, Wen Leyang came walking out clad in a full grey-colored Qing Miao clansmen’s attire. His face returned to its prior clean appearance. His moustache was cleanly shaved but the red scar on his cheekbone remained. Ah Dan, with his favorite hat on his head, circled around Wen Leyang. Bushuo, Buzuo, the Second Mother, Chi Maojiu, Wen Xiaoyi, Mumu, Ji Fei, Shui Jing and every Qing Miao clansmen smiled at him. The air was rippling with a heartfelt happiness.

However, in the midst of the fat monk and the old monk’s happiness, there was still some slight anxiety and fear.

The skinny lad threw himself in front of his precious beast Xiu Er, his eyes were brimming with tears while he moped and sighed. The giant toad was in low spirits as well. Clearly, it was wondering how could its food poisoning become so severe. After a while, the giant toad suddenly opened its mouth again. At the sound of a clatter, a small flying sword dropped onto the ground.

Ji Fei gave out a cheer from the bottom of his heart.

As Wen Leyang inhaled deeply, the pores on his body opened and closed. His eyes lit up. The entire infinite world formed a clear picture in his heart. His telegnosis ability had extended into faster and more direct manner. It is able to surround the entire world in a flash. Not only he is able to extend his telegnosis ability for an extremely long distance, it was exceptionally clear and distinct!

The resolution ratio used to be 800X600 and it was 1600X1200 at that moment.

The Three-Inch Nail Wen Bushuo knew what Wen Leyang was thinking about. He chuckled while he picked up a piece of pitch-black rock, and shouted towards Wen Leyang, “Catch!” Upon saying that he exerted his strength on both arms and the rock accompanied by the whistling sound of wind slammed ferociously towards Wen Leyang.

It was accurate and agile, slamming directly towards Wen Leyang’s face.

Wen Leyang stretched out a hand with his fingers and oscillated his fingers like a wheel. He hit with a speed so fast it was impossible to see with naked eye. At the sound of a poof, the hard granite rock erupted into a cloud of dust, which was so fine it was impossible to touch in the midair. As the mountain wind blows, the dust disappeared.

Everyone was left speechless. In the past, Wen Leyang could use the Faulty Punch to turn a rock into dust. However, he had to put in all his effort and exert all his strength. Moreover, it would take a long period of time unlike now where Wen Leyang crushed the rock into dust so effortlessly. The task was accomplished the moment Wen Leyang’s hand came into contact with the rock.

In the past, Wen Leyang had demonstrated the art of crossing through a wall soundlessly using the Faulty Punch in the Great Mercy Temple. it was unknown how many years that courtyard was left deserted and the building stones of the wall were only made of some normal bricks. Without the fortification of magic or spells, the wall would have crumbled on its own. If the wall was built by laying granite stones, it was reckoned that Wen Leyang’s face would be flattened instead.

Wen Leyang suddenly squinted his eyes and took a look at Wen Xiaoyi. He had only noticed that Wen Xiaoyi appeared slightly different than before. She was still delicate and pretty. Yet, her prior youthful immaturity has disappeared. Instead, she had a sense of graceful charm.

Wen Leyang continued to look at her for a while before he asked, “I...how long has it been?”

Mumu answered without thinking, “Nine months and ten...” She was halfway through her speech when her face blushed. She shook her head and said, “It has been almost a year now!”

Upon saying that, the two young girls gazed at one another and their eyes suddenly swelled with redness.

Wen Xiaoyi was more direct than Mumu. She pouted and said, “I thought you were never coming out anymore...” Tears streamed down her face as she squeezed into Wen Leyang’s arms and cried loudly. Her joy and her prior worry were all mangled together.

Mumu wanted to join in as well but she was too shy.

Wen Leyang finally understood now. He had spent almost a year in the giant frog’s stomach. Calculating in his mind, Wen Xiaoyi was almost fifteen years old now. No wonder she had gradually developed the graceful charm of a little beauty.

After Wen Xiaoyi cried to her heart’s content, the two brothers Ji Fei and Shui Jing cautiously gathered in front of Wen Leyang. The fat monk asked shyly, “Um...brother Wen, that matter that we’ve discussed before...” As the fat monk was stuttering, Mumu and Ah Dan with their hands stuffed in their pockets, they came walking side by side, their faces brimming with a maniacal smile as they blocked the monks and Wen Leyang.

Wen Xiaoyi poked Wen Leyang from the side and spoke smilingly, “It’s okay. Mumu has been waiting for this day to come!” As she was saying that, she picked up her big-muzzled weapon and took a stroll to the back of the fat monk and the old monk.

Mumu smiled sweetly as she stared at the two monks. Only when the two old thieves felt uneasy, she raised one of her delicate eyebrows and asked in a crisp voice, “You made an agreement on Mount Emei. Did Wen Leyang manage to catch the both of you within one month?”

The two monks stared at one another and nodded their head, “But...”

Mumu did not give them the opportunity to defend themselves, “On the mountain slope of the Seven Maidens Mountain, Wen Leyang gave you the instruction to take good care of me. Monk, did you take good care of me?”

The fat monk was almost crying. He shook his head honestly.

Mumu spoke faster, “The both of you committed that foolish act in the Red Leaves Forest that almost killed Wen Leyang. Did he seek revenge on the both of you then?”

The old monk Ji Fei’s forehead was starting to sweat. He tried to use the corners of his eyes to plan out an escape route. Nonetheless, Wen Xiaoyi raised the big-muzzled weapon and aimed at his direction.

Mumu’s voice was loud and clear. “When the immortal Chang Li did not want to forgive you, was it Wen Leyang who begged for her forgiveness and saved your lives? When you were cast with an evil spell and hunted down by the wicked witch, was it Wen Leyang who risked his life to rescue you? When both of you were on the verge of dying from the poison of the evil spell, was it Wen Leyang who pleaded the Qing Miao master cultivators to save you? When the old monk was caught by the giant frog, was it Wen Leyang who sacrificed himself to rescue you?”

Mumu bombarded them with her continuous accusations like a machine gun. She finally gave a fiery stare at Shui Jing who was dripping with cold sweat, “So fat monk, old monk, do both of you think you deserve that?”

The fat monk Shui Jing blushed scarlet. He knelt on the ground abruptly and gave three loud kowtows towards Wen Leyang as he spoke loudly, “Your disciple Shui Jing humbly meet his master!” Upon saying that he stomped his foot once and ran away with his sleeves covering his face.

The fat monk’s movement was extremely agile. He gave the kowtow and escaped in a breath. It was as if he had rehearsed it for many times. The old monk Ji Fei let out an ‘oh no’, and dashed away anxiously.

The fat monk had only run away for two steps when Wen Xiaoyi’s laughter echoed, “Our Wen family’s tradition in formally acknowledging a master teacher requires six kowtows.”

The fat monk squalled halfway through his escape, “Only your family has such a strange tradition!” Wen Xiaoyi corrected him smilingly, “Our family!”

The fat monk was like a fleeing cattle when he dashed back to the front of Wen Leyang in rage. This time Wen Leyang acted quickly. He stretched out his hand and grabbed hold of the fat monk’s arm. For a moment, he could not react to the situation. He stuttered, “You don’t need to, you don’t need to.” Shui Jing could sense that his body tightened vigorously, akin to a steel hoop that tightened around him, stopping him from resuming the kneeling posture.

This time the old monk Ji Fei had a distressed expression. He asked Wen Leyang, “Can I only formally acknowledge you as my master teacher but not give kowtows?”

Wen Leyang nodded his head but he did not speak. Shui Jing had already shouted loudly, “No! You must at least give three kowtows! No less than mine!”

...

The skinny lad did not partake in the Mo family’s conspiracy since the beginning. He only rushed over with Xiu Er upon receiving the wicked witch’s call for help. Yet it was as if he lost his wife as well as his soldiers – gained nothing but paid a double penalty. Even though he was the so-called demons of earthly ancestral, yet he had never committed any major evildoings his entire life. He spent all his efforts in raising the giant toad. In the past year, when he was held captive in the Miao stockade village, he had developed a relationship with the rest of the Qing Miao clansmen. The incident of the giant toad’s degeneration left him in great despair. After some discussion with the Second Mother, he decided to stay behind in the stockade village.

Wen Leyang was slightly concerned. He looked towards the dispirited giant toad and asked the Second Mother, “If the skinny lad suddenly turn hostile...” Wen Buzuo had already filled him in about on happened.

The Second Mother gave a pleasant smile and stretched out her hand to pat on Wen Leyang’s shoulder. “Don’t you worry, if he is as cruel as a wolf, we have no choice but to deal with him! We have never experienced this method of cultivation before. That’s why we suffered great losses. This time, we understand very well in our hearts. If there is a necessity to battle again, I guess no one can really tell who will win or lose this time!”

From a side, it could be seen that Little Chi Maojiu’s belly was bulging. This little fellow had tripled his size and doubled his height in the past one year. It seemed that his meals were well taken care and his appetite was good. “These cultivators are also human too. As long as one is a human, one will never escape the word ‘death’!”

Wen Leyang nodded smilingly and stopped speaking. He bided farewell to the Qing Miao clansmen without staying for dinner. The Second Mother brought along Little Chi Maojiu and sent them all the way until the highway.

As Mumu had stayed behind in the Miao stockade village for almost a year for Wen Leyang, even though she was still unwilling to leave Wen Leyang now, she really missed her family. So, she made a deal to promise to always keep in touch and they parted ways.

The two newly-acquired disciples wanted to leave as well. Unexpectedly, Wen Leyang refused to let them go. He insisted for them to follow him home, with the excuse that he had some things he wanted to ask from them.

Naturally, as Wen Leyang returned home, it called for another lively celebration. The women bustled around, preparing the traditional cuisines of the Wen family village (Author’s note: What is it? Make a wild guess!).

The following few days, as long as Wen Leyang had some free time, he would look for both Ji Fei and Shui Jing. He continuously pestered them about the cultivator’s method of channeling energy and power. The two monks tried to explain to him everything that they knew without hiding anything from him. From a cultivator’s point of view, even though the method of training and refining was slightly different from one person to another, it will never drift away from these ten words, “Refining vitality to attain tranquility, refining mind to manipulate matters.

All these while, Wen Xiaoyi followed right next to Wen Leyang, carrying a notepad, helping him to take notes.

There was another big issue that was troubling Wen Leyang. He struggled before he managed to ask, “In the cultivation world, is it divided into grades? Each grade is well arranged, where different grade means different types of supernatural power which comes with different types of method to channel energy?”

The old monk Ji Fei laughed as he spoke, “Of course there is a gradation. Each sect’s method of cultivation has its own gradation, the fat monk cultivates in the ‘Musical Divine Lotus Sect Suit of Armor Ancient Bagua Buddhist Hymn Supreme Spirit’s Crossing Over Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi’s supernatural power’, it is divided into eight levels. I am cultivating in the ‘Thousand miles of river with the moon over cloudless in the clear sky clear mind and clear heart divine-destroying Art of Sword’ that is divided into six levels...

Wen Leyang gulped, he was utterly shocked by the names of this two art of cultivation, he laughed reluctantly, “You have my admiration, both of your art of cultivation are really awe-inspiring!”

The fat monk and the old monk gazed at one another, they were like a pair of arrogant rooster as they squinted their eyes and raised their chins slightly.

Wen Leyang took out a carrot. He tried to keep himself composed before he continued to ask, “I wasn’t asking about the gradation for each type of cultivation method, I was asking whether there is an universally-recognized division of grades amongst the cultivators, for example, for example...” Wen Leyang could never fully express his mind in words. He was so anxious that he was scratching his ears and cheeks. He took a ferocious bite off the carrot, then he continued, “For example, if every person in the world is refining the Art of Poison of Wen family, the first level is to learn of how to soak in medicinal alcohol/liquor while learning about the art of attack and defense. The second level is to soak in poisonous alcohol/liquor while practicing the Faulty Punch. The third level is to refine the poison recipe and to dissolve poison into one’s body. Each level is clearly divided, for even the most outstanding cultivators of the first level, will never triumph against the worst cultivators of the second level...”

The fat monk was confused. Luckily, the old monk was considerably smarter and managed to understand what Wen Leyang meant. He laughed, “Gradation my ass, if there is a universally-recognized gradation, the folks will be fighting each other, constantly trying to compete against one another’s level. Who is the ultimate master cultivator of which grade? The one with the higher level wins, while the loser kills himself? Once the spiritual intelligence within those who engage in cultivation are awakened, some of them discovered it through their own adventures, while some of them received guidance from their masters. To improve their intelligence and strengthen their bodies and to achieve the qualification of their practiced method of cultivation, some sects call this process the ‘foundation-building’, some sects call this the ‘marrow-cleansing’. Anyhow, they mean the same. One who begins his engagement in cultivation depends on his natural talents, his effort and his creation. I will be damned if there is such a standard and the only way for every cultivator to find out who’s stronger and who’s weaker is by fighting each other.”

As the old monk finished his speech, the fat monk finally understood. He chuckled as he added, “The day one starts to engage in cultivation is the day one loses the concept of gradation. When the cultivation is completed, it is either one is dead or one has ascended as an immortal...I am uncertain where would one ascend, but one never returns after flying away.”

Wen Leyang heaved a long relieved sigh and nodded smilingly.

Looking at Wen Leyang’s earnest expression, the few elders of the Wen family thought he wanted to learn to cultivate into a nascent soul. However, no one bothered him, for the three families of Wen, Miao and Luo’s tradition was for the master teacher to lead his disciples as the method of cultivation would vary for each individual. If you are a disciple of the Wen family, but, in the end, if you managed to cultivate the supernatural power of chasing corpses away and vanquishing evil spirits, your capabilities will still be appreciated.

A few days later the Heads of the Luo family rushed over to check on Wen Leyang. The Second Mother bringing along Chi Maojiu, whom they have just recently bided farewell in the Miao stockade village, came for a visit. Hence, the bustling celebration lasted for another two weeks. After two weeks, the visitors departed for their homes feeling completely satisfied.

At that time, Wen Leyang had almost finished asking questions about the cultivation world. He then headed into the Red Leaves Forest. Under Wen Xiaoyi’s instructions, he started doing research on the poison recipes left behind by the ancestors of the Life Trademark. He became busy, spending every day fiddling with dozens of pans to refine poison.

When the two monks first arrived in the Wen family village, they wanted to leave every day. However, after they stayed for some time, they realized that not one person there treated them as junior disciples. Even Grand Elder Wen treated them with utmost courteous, the little mountain village was peaceful and in abundance, their lives were blessed with health and happiness. The two brothers had been living a wandering life in the world for so many years. As they have finally found what it felt like to be home, they suddenly refused to leave the mountain anymore. Hence, they spent every day doing nothing in the village.

Wen Xiaoyi was as calm as water. She was satisfied as long as she could be close to Wen Leyang. She ended up sitting next to him for a few hours, doing nothing. Her huge eyes followed his each and every movement. Her expression was exactly the same as Wen Leyang. Sometimes she frowned slightly, sometimes she was anxious and agitated, sometimes she heaved a relieved sigh. It was only until a few months later, Wen Leyang began to smile more. Sometimes he would leap up in an elated mood and giggle foolishly.

Wen Xiaoyi would then follow him and giggled foolishly.

A year ago, Wen Leyang cultivated into the evil path method of cultivation left behind by his ancestor and turned into a standard contestant of the Bastard’s Punch. He fought a few die-hard battles ferociously, especially his encounter in the giant toad’s stomach. Anyone would think that Wen Leyang would be out in the world, absorbing all the poison, to allow his body to advance to another level. No one would have thought Wen Leyang would attempt to refine poison recipe.

Once, Fourth Elder Wen became curious. He visited Wen Leyang when he was refining poison recipe. The moment he entered the house Wen Leyang used to refine his recipe, a gush of the sweet scent of scallions came surging into his nose. Fourth Elder Wen was stunned. He looked at the busy Wen Leyang who was drenched in sweat and asked, “Are you frying chicken eggs?”

Wen Leyang hastily let go of the pan in his hand and answered in an utmost respectful manner, “The disciple is refining his poison recipe.”

Fourth Elder Wen became red with anger. Wen Leyang hastily followed closely to explain but Fourth Elder Wen said, “Stop bothering me!” He flung his sleeves as he turned around left.

Ever since then Fourth Elder Wen stopped bothering him. Every time the house Wen Leyang used to refine his poison was opened, a type of peculiar smell would flow out, the scent of herbs, the smell of pepper, pollen et cetera.

Everything returned to as it was two years ago. Everyone’s life was peaceful yet busy. Sometimes, the two silly uncles would shout from the outside of the forest. Wen Leyang would run out and bring them to hunt for venison. The entire family was still living in harmony as before. The gloomy incident that happened not too long ago, where the Red Leaves Forest was attacked and the tragic deaths of the dozens of disciples on Mount Emei, was soon forgotten.

There was no days and months in the mountain, in the blink of an eye more than half a year had passed (Author’s note: Do you like this poetic style of mine?), it was the dragon boat festival and the Wen family usually holds a great celebration. Wen Leyang returned to the Wen family village from the Place of Birth, Life, Sickness and Death.

All the young and old folks of the entire family gathered together and celebrated the joyous festival. The empty land in the village hosted a series of feasts and banquets. The moment the moon rose above the willow tree was just the moment everyone was wining and dining, a burst of footsteps suddenly echoed from the entrance of the village. An unfamiliar voice laughed, “Congratulations to the Wen family, congratulations to the Wen family! He Yiping from the Star’s Sword Cottage came to pay respects to all the senior elders of the Wen family, I am here specially to congratulate the brother Wen Leyang’s big day!”

The person who was speaking was a strong old man holding a long bundle wrapped in red fabric in his cradle. He walked in great strides into the village. There were dozens of youngsters followed closely behind him. They all had valor and imposing expressions.

The old monk Ji Fei, being experienced and knowledgeable, spoke to Wen Leyang and his master teacher’s ‘grandfathers and ancestors’ in a low voice, “The Star’s Sword Cottage is a cultivator’s sect of the right path. They have existed for quite some time but their status was only ordinary. This He Yiping is the leader of the sect.”

The few old men of the Wen family were all puzzled. The Star’s Sword Cottage, He Yiping. They had never even heard of or made any contact with him. Yet, the cultivator sect came knocking on their door, and even congratulated them?

Wen Xiaoyi sat next to Wen Leyang. She squinted her eyes while she secretly held in her hands the big-muzzled that never left her side.

The first uncle Wen Tunhai stood up and greeted He Yiping. He asked smilingly, “Hello brother, what do the young fellow Wen Leyang owe the pleasure to bother you the elder to come to the mountain and grace us with your presence?”

He Yiping smiled joyously. He did not answer to Wen Tunhai but asked, “Your gracious is?”

Wen Tunhai dared not exaggerate, “I am Wen Leyang’s first uncle, you can discuss with me regarding the matters of the Wen family...”

Before the First Uncle could finish his sentence, unexpectedly, the old He Yiping saluted the younger generation’s respect towards him. He spoke respectfully, “He Yiping pays respect to the elder! May I ask the elder, which one is Wen Leyang?”

Wen Leyang was the most confused amongst all. He placed his chopsticks down and walked next to the First Uncle and did not speak a word. He Yiping gave a thumbs up. His tone of speaking was friendly as he praised, “Sure enough, they said you are the dragon amongst humans! Hah-hah, good brother, congratulations! Congratulations!” As he was saying that he unfastened the long bundle in his cradle. It was an antique style sword case.

The moment the sword case was opened up, a jet of sharp smell immediately enshrouded. A turquoise-colored long sword laid proud and aloof in the case. He Yiping did not wait for Wen Leyang to start speaking, as he continued to laugh, “This is the ‘Night Crusher’. It was the treasured weapon left behind by a sword immortal from three thousand years ago. Its sword aura was too wild and unyielding so no scabbard is worthy of its match. This is considered one of the rare top-grade sword! I am gifting this to you, brother, as a token of congratulation and coincidentally it matches brother Wen’s status too!” Following that, without a reason, he stuffed the sword case into Wen Leyang’s arms.

Ji Fei and Shui Jing gazed at one another. Their expression was both of admiration and surprise. The actual strength of the Star’s Sword Cottage was of an ordinary level. Yet, they were expert in collecting and maintaining swords in the world, if there was a sword that could not match to a scabbard, then, there were only two words that could describe the sword: Immortal’s blade!

Wen Leyang was virtuous and sincere yet it did not stop him from being a moneygrubber. He held on to the sword case without trying to decline.

An old man, who patted on Wen Leyang’s shoulder and called him a brother, gifted him with such an exquisite gift upon their first meet. He Yiping had a friendly smile and a sincere attitude. he did not seem like a spiteful person. That made everyone rather confused. Even Wen Leyang did not know what happened. He took out a carrot from his pocket habitually. Just as he was preparing to stuff the carrot into his mouth, he suddenly felt out of place. He raised the carrot and muttered, “Do you...want some?”

He Yiping’s expression was neither crying nor laughing. It was beyond peculiar. He was thinking that whether the carrot was considered a gift in return. Yet, he nodded his head, “Yes please!” He held out his hand and received the carrot from Wen Leyang’s hand.

Wen Leyang blushed scarlet. He hastily diverted the topic of discussion, “What is the purpose of the elder coming to the mountain and congratulating me, who is only a young fellow?”

He Yiping roared with laughter and made a bow with hands folded in front to all the young and old folks in the Wen family. He then turned around and left with his disciples without saying anything.

The fat monk scratched his smooth bald scalp and said to the old monk, “That fellow He Yiping must be crazy. He exchanged the one of a kind magnificent sword with a carrot...yet he was so happy?”

Just as the old monk was about to speak, suddenly a burst of footsteps echoed from the village entrance again. An old woman spoke with the most benevolent voice, “Tong Yixin from the Missing Iridescent Cloud Embroidery Village pays her respect to the elders of the Wen family, I am here specially to congratulate the brother Wen Leyang’s big day!” Before her voice died away, the sky suddenly showered down a sweet-smelling rain of flower petals. An old woman with white hair and wrinkled skin, leaning on a thick eccentric curled-up dragon cane, walked staggeringly into the village under the support of seven to eight beautiful young girls.

Similar to He Yiping from before, the old woman’s expression was elated. She asked which one was Wen Leyang and started making a series of praises and favorable comments. She regarded herself as an old sister in the rank of seniority. Finally, she took a silvery-white huge overcoat from her servant girls and personally drape the coat over Wen Leyang’s shoulders. Then, she took two steps behind and looked Wen Leyang from the top to the bottom, “This overcoat is embroidered by thirteen family elders in our embroidery village. We refine the snow lotus root’s silk into threads and use fire to make needle and embroidered this for four hundred years. Water and fire spells will not harm the overcoat. We shall now gift it to you, Wen brother. Consider it as the old sister’s kind intention to congratulate brother on his big day!” Upon saying that, she staggered and gave a full salute to the elders of Wen family. No matter how Wen Leyang tried to question her, she smiled but remained quiet and left under the support of the young girls.

The old monk spat out a foul breath heavily, “This time she didn’t even take a carrot!”

That night, from sunset until midnight, the Wen family village never had a quiet moment. A group of people would come visiting every once in a while. Every type of address was in a constant stream.

“Xia Yipin from the Hardly Flattened Valley requesting to see the brother Wen Leyang!”

“Xiong Yisheng from the Big Calm Cove saluting. We are here to pay an official visit to the elders of the Wen family, and to congratulate the brother Wen Leyang!”

“Bai Yimei from the Exquisite Jade Bowl Islet has come to congratulate the brother Wen Leyang!”

“Ma Yifan from the Eighteen Hooves Ridge is here, hah-hah, quick let me take a look at which one is the brother Wen Leyang. Congratulations, congratulations!”

...

Following the voices, groups and groups of people, whom the disciples of Wen Bucao had never heard of, came walking into the village in a messy formation. All of their faces were smiling and they regarded Wen Leyang as their same generation. They congratulated him, yet, they had never informed him what were they congratulating. They turned around and left the village immediately after leaving behind some expensive gifts.

The gifts given by each of the family were a dazzling array of beautiful exhibits. There were treasured sword, precious potions, immortal’s clothing, Buddhism spell-casting instruments, ancient seals et cetera. There was also a Bordeaux-colored little pony smaller than a Siberian husky, known as the delicate pony. It could run fast and was able to sustain long runs. However, its physique was too small so it could only be bred, as a pet, by the rich and powerful families.

By midnight, the crowd had finally stopped entering the mountain. The dragon boat festival feast of the Wen family was hastily concluded. Grand Elder Wen waved his arm once, “The inner chamber disciples, bring these items and follow me into the house!” Upon saying that, he stopped for a moment and he smiled and said to the two monks Ji Fei and Shui Jing in a courteous manner, “The two of you please come over as well.”

The little horse was nudging Wen Leyang’s hand asking for a carrot...