Chapter 957 He's Dreaming

Under a sky full of stars, the three brothers slowly walked back.

Master's words still lingered in my mind, resounding and inspiring, leaving a lasting impression.

"Master, it's Master!"

"Our master came back together."

"Yeah, it's so late, could they have gone out for a nice meal behind our backs?"

"They might have been drinking behind our backs. They came back so late. Shouldn't we interrogate them too?"

"Haha, I think it's a good idea. You're brave, you go first, and I'll follow right behind you."

Tu Dan'er didn't answer, but walked down the steps and ran quickly towards Master Zhang, calling out, "Master."

Seeing Tu Dan'er bend down slightly to hug him, Master Zhang raised his hand to stop him on the head and said sternly, "You have no manners. You're an adult now, not a three-year-old. Don't hug your master anymore, or people will laugh at you."

Tu Dan'er raised his head, frowned, and said bitterly, "Master, it feels like three autumns have passed since I last saw you. I thought you thought I was useless and had secretly run away."

He even pretended to wipe away tears from both sides, saying, "Master, I will definitely cultivate myself well and be a good person from now on, and be a diligent and ambitious disciple. Please don't find a new disciple so soon, I'm definitely not as good as others. Let me have your special favor for a few years, okay?"

Everyone was both amused and exasperated by his words. The other four children laughed so hard they ran over to see Tu Dan'er's expression.

"Hey, did you go to an opera troupe? How come you're suddenly so eloquent? Let me see, are you shedding tears?"

"Go away, go away. I'm just being sincere. You're all so anxious because your masters are missing." Tu Dan'er looked at Chang Feng and Chang Yun. "Those two have been sitting at the door for two hours like abandoned kittens and puppies, but they're acting like nothing happened."

Song Chunxue raised her hand and rubbed Changfeng and Changyun's heads. "Really? You two are just like Tudan'er, thinking I don't want you anymore?"

"Master, we were mainly worried about your safety. Whether you want to go back on your word or not, you've already accepted us as your disciples, how could you possibly back out?" Changyun said with a simple, honest smile. "Master, where have you been? Today is the second day of the second lunar month, I even stir-fried some peas for you, would you like some?"

As they spoke, Changfeng and Changyun stretched out their hands, each clutching a handful of peas. "Master, here you go."

Song Chunxue felt a warmth in her heart. "Oh, okay, you two are so thoughtful."

On the other side, Wuji and Yebai followed suit, mimicking the others by clinging to Lord Zhao, massaging his shoulders and back, and spouting lies.

Lord Zhao was not used to this and pushed them away with a headache, saying, "You two, be normal. Have you eaten? Go and fill your stomachs first."

He stepped across the threshold and casually asked, "Where are Master Han and those two young ladies?"

"Oh, right, Master Han is waiting for you. He was just here a moment ago, oh..."

Just as Wuji was about to turn around and go outside to see if Master Han was sitting cross-legged on the roof, he saw Master Han appear in front of them.

"Where have you three been? You look so radiant. Did you go off somewhere having a good time?" He actually wanted to ask if you'd gone to a brothel, but that would be beneath his dignity, especially with the younger generation around.

Master Han pointed at Master Zhang's worthless grin and said, "What's wrong with him? What kind of medicine did you give him to make him laugh like that?"

Everyone turned to look at Master Zhang and found that a smile was indeed emanating from the corners of his eyes and brows. Even though he pretended to be serious, he couldn't hide the joy in his heart.

"It's a long story, let's talk while we eat." Lord Zhao looked at him with a half-smile. "I also want to ask, how did your talk with Senior Lan Jin go? You left when we weren't looking, forgetting your friend for the sake of beauty."

The abbot came over carrying a lantern. "Everyone is back. Hurry up and go to the dining hall for your meal. It won't taste good if it gets any hotter."

Everyone tacitly stopped talking and headed to the dining hall.

With a smile, Song Chunxue put the unevenly stir-fried peas into her mouth. Occasionally, two peas were as hard as rocks, almost breaking her teeth.

"Where did you get these peas? Did you cook a lot?"

"It's not much, just two bowls. Everyone has already finished. If Master thinks it's not enough..."

"I'll go soak some softened vegetables. Do you want to skewer peas for dinner tonight?"

Changfeng laughed and said, "I knew Master wanted to make skewers. They're already soaked and ready, just waiting for Master to stir-fry them."

Lord Zhao turned around and stretched out his hand, "Let me try it. Just how delicious are these stir-fried peas? Why all the fancy ways to make them?"

Song Chunxue placed a dozen or so peas in his hand. "Senior Brother, be careful with your teeth. You've eaten so many delicacies, you probably don't think they taste good, but where we're from, especially in families with many children, we really look forward to stir-fried peas."

She chewed loudly as she earnestly explained, "We're not allowed to stir-fry peas on ordinary days; we have to save them to grind into flour. So, on the night of the second day of the second lunar month, everyone makes a very long skewer, which we eat as a snack on other days to satisfy our cravings and fill our stomachs."

Lord Zhao nodded, "The taste is not bad, so you can eat as much as you want now. But you should still eat in moderation, because does this stuff make you fart a lot?"

"Pfft~" Master Zhang couldn't help but lower his eyes and try to suppress his laughter. "You've learned to be quite rough from your junior brother. I remember that the former Lord Zhao never spoke like that. You should be the kind of person who uses classical Chinese phrases like 'What brings you here, sir'."

Lord Zhao chuckled, "One is influenced by one's surroundings; there's nothing we can do about it."

Song Chunxue moved her lips slightly, "It means you're not Zhu enough, you can't blame me."

“Yes, because you’re dark-skinned enough.” Lord Zhao raised his chin and strode into the dining hall.

"..." Song Chunxue gritted his teeth, as if he had triggered Lord Zhao's penchant for bickering.

Inside were the Taoist priests and young Taoist nuns of the temple. Everyone obediently walked in and quietly ate their meal.

After coming out, Master Zhang chatted with the abbot for a while before arriving at their courtyard.

As soon as he entered the house, Tudan rushed at him again.

Master Zhang dodged in time, took out his whisk and pointed it at him, "If you continue to be so disrespectful, I'll throw you out. What's wrong with you?"

He never liked close contact with others, I don't know what's wrong with this country bumpkin.

Tu Dan'er stopped himself in time. "Hey, I've gotten used to hanging out with everyone lately, Master, please don't mind. I wanted to congratulate you on becoming the Moon-Accompanying Immortal's disciple, so wouldn't I be benefiting from your good fortune?"

As he spoke, Tudan knelt down before him, "Master, you are mine..."

Master Zhang stretched out his foot and placed it under his knees, then lifted him up. "If you don't follow the rules, I can still expel you from the sect. Stand still, we don't kneel."

Upon entering the room, everyone was there except for Song Chunxue.

Master Han held the golden spoon, examining it carefully, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Tell me, what does your master mean? What do you mean by saying that since I like it, he should give me one? Why doesn't he call me over to become his disciple?" Master Han tapped his knee with a golden spoon. "Old man, does he want me to be your junior brother? He's dreaming."

Lord Zhao leaned back, his smile growing increasingly unrestrained.

"Haha, I think this is a good idea. It would be my honor to become your senior."