As dusk fell, Shang Lu led Zi Su down the mountain.
Chang Shan remained kneeling before the temple gate.
“Master, this disciple understands your meaning. I will not disturb your peace. I will kneel longer, making up for the time I haven’t kneeled…”
Chen Changsheng also descended the mountain at dusk.
As he passed Chang Shan, Chen Changsheng said, “If a dragon is trapped in the wild, how can it still be called a dragon?”
Chang Shan paused, looking up at the Great Master.
But the Green-Robed Gentleman had already turned away, stepping down the mountain path.
The gates of Flowing Cloud Temple closed once more.
Only Chang Shan was left alone, kneeling at the entrance.
After descending, Chen Changsheng went to Autumn Moon Market.
Before even entering, he spotted the Old City God already waiting. Perhaps the Old City God had received news early, hence this anticipation.
“It has been a long time, Mr. Chen.”
“Three years apart. I trust you’ve been well, Old City God?”
After exchanging pleasantries, the Old City God led Chen Changsheng inside the market.
The Old City God was particularly pleased by Chen Changsheng’s arrival. His steps even became a bit more lively.
The Old City God said, “Three years ago, when Young Master Tong asked me for a loan, I wondered how he could be so bold. Later, I learned it was at your request.”
“I was embarrassingly short on funds at the time, so you were my only thought.”
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The Old City God teased, “Adding what you still owe Young Master Tong, that’s a total of five and a half taels, Mr. Chen. Time to pay.”
“Can I not?” Chen Changsheng laughed.
The Old City God chuckled too and waved his hand. “Since it was Mr. Chen who borrowed it, repayment is unnecessary.”
Chen Changsheng waved back. “Ah, I must, I must repay. When I have the money, I will naturally return it.”
The Old City God refused outright, insisting he didn’t want it back. Chen Changsheng couldn’t argue him down, especially since he truly couldn’t pay now.
The two eventually arrived at Tongji Hall.
Entering, they saw Tong Caizheng taking a pulse.
Chen Changsheng spoke first, “Are you Doctor Tong?”
Tong Caizheng looked up at the arrivals.
One gentleman wore an elegant blue robe, his aura extraordinary. The elder beside him also dressed finely. Though Tong Caizheng didn’t know them, he sensed they were figures of importance.
“That’s right. Are you two here seeking treatment?”
“Not for treatment.” Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I’ve come today to see your esteemed son.”
Tong Caizheng was puzzled; his son had never mentioned such a friend.
“Please wait a moment. I will call him out.”
Tong Caizheng walked to the back room and summoned the young man, Tong Zhihuan, who was reading a medical text inside.
At first, Tong Zhihuan wondered what friend it could be.
But the moment he stepped out and saw them, his legs went weak.
Tong Zhihuan’s lips parted, but the Immortal Lord winked at him.
Understanding the signal, Tong Zhihuan quickly corrected himself, “Mr. Chen! Why have you come?”
He then glanced at the other figure beside Mr. Chen and froze again.
The elder standing beside Mr. Chen.
“Young Master Tong, long time no see,” the Old City God smiled.
Tong Zhihuan couldn’t prevent his legs from trembling slightly.
He felt utterly undeserving of having both the Immortal Lord and the City God come specifically for him.
Tong Zhihuan turned to his father. “Um, Dad, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Chen. I… never told you about him before…”
Tong Caizheng remained confused but politely offered, “Please, Mr. Chen, come in and sit.”
Chen Changsheng raised a hand. “No need for trouble. I was hoping Young Master Tong might accompany me for a stroll around the Civic District. Might Doctor Tong allow it?”
Tong Caizheng glanced at his son. Seeing nothing unusual, he agreed.
As soon as his father was placated, Tong Zhihuan left Tongji Hall with them.
Outside, Tong Zhihuan hastily bowed low. “Tong Zhihuan greets both Masters.”
“No need for formalities.”
Chen Changsheng smiled. “Three years have passed. You’ve grown quite a bit taller.”
Tong Zhihuan grinned and rubbed his head, “Ate well, so I grew taller.”
Chen Changsheng patted his shoulder. “Indeed. And your physique seems stronger too.”
Feeling bashful at the praise, Tong Zhihuan changed the subject. “Mr. Chen, you were gone for a whole three years. I thought you might have forgotten.”
“My time away was just longer than expected. But I always meant to return.”
Their conversation then turned to the matter of the sword.
Tong Zhihuan said he had retrieved the sword long ago and kept it hidden at home. He then led Chen Changsheng away to fetch it.
He slipped back inside unnoticed by his mother and brought out the sword wrapped in cloth.
“Sir, this is the sword from back then.”
Chen Changsheng uncovered the cloth and took the sword in his hands.
A flicker of Golden Light passed through his eyes.
In that one glance, he detected something strange about the weapon.
The Old City God seemed to notice Mr. Chen’s expression. “Is something wrong?”
Tong Zhihuan’s heart skipped a beat. “Is there a problem with the sword?”
After a moment’s thought, Chen Changsheng replied, “No problem at all.”
He tucked the sword away. Addressing Tong Zhihuan again, he said, “Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Tong. I will be accompanying the Old City God on a wander through Autumn Moon Market now. If you have matters at home, you should return.”
Tong Zhihuan took a second, then nodded. “Oh… right. Mr. Chen… you…”
“I will seek you out another time when free.”
“Do go carefully, Sir.”
Tong Zhihuan watched Mr. Chen and the City God depart, feeling something was amiss.
Once Chen Changsheng was farther away, he brought out the sword again.
The Old City God remarked, “It seems the sword indeed has an issue. Sir, you said nothing was wrong to spare Young Master Tong any difficulty?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Indeed. Tong Zhihuan is incapable of playing tricks with this sword. The problem definitely isn’t his doing.” Find the newest release on novel✦fire.net
“Then where could…” the Old City God pondered.
Chen Changsheng lifted his hand. He counted on his fingers.
Frankly, he had only learned the basics of the Art of Divination, but tracing the path of a single sword was easy enough.
Chen Changsheng lowered his hand. “My sword… was actually sold to someone else.”
The Old City God exclaimed, “This humble god will find out who dared to fool you, Sir!”
Chen Changsheng gently halted him. “Ah, while the blacksmith did wrong, his crime doesn’t warrant such fury from you, Old City God. A lost sword simply needs finding.”
The Old City God protested, “That won’t do! Autumn Moon Market falls under my domain. Such an affair happened here? This humble god faces deep humiliation.”
Chen Changsheng sighed softly. “I will resolve this matter myself, Old City God. Please calm your anger.”
The Old City God took a slow, deep breath, trying to settle himself.
Chen Changsheng’s sword was no ordinary blade.
That it was lost within Autumn Moon Market… The affair wasn’t huge, but it wasn’t minor either. The Old City God’s indignation lingered, difficult to soothe.