A silver-gray glint flashed in Bu Bu's eyes. Before Yun Ze and the old beggar could react, she closed her eyes and collapsed backward, losing consciousness!
Fortunately, the old beggar was quick. Before Yun Ze could react, he stepped forward and caught Bu Bu, holding her in his arms with a puzzled expression.
"What... what's going on?"
Yun Ze was caught off guard by Bu Bu's sudden action and stepped forward to inquire.
The old beggar did not reply. His brow furrowed tighter. He then placed Bu Bu on the ground but remained silent.
"Senior?" Yun Ze asked again.
"Hm?"
The old beggar finally responded and looked up at Yun Ze. "It's nothing. Today's task ends here. Let's take this girl to find an inn to stay first."
"An inn? Don't we need to find a doctor?"
"Do you know more than I do?"
The old beggar raised an eyebrow and looked at Yun Ze. "Go, find an inn!"
"Yes."
Yun Ze could only comply. He then picked up Bu Bu and walked towards the nearest inn he remembered.
The old beggar watched their retreating figures, his brow furrowed even deeper.
Bu Bu's reaction just now was clearly that of someone who had reincarnated and was seeing something deeply imprinted in their past life's memories.
Could it be... Master is dead and has now reincarnated?
Although his Master was a man in his previous life, given his personality, it wasn't impossible for him to reincarnate as a woman to escape enemies!
Or, was this little girl part of his plan, merely a smokescreen to deceive others?
Never mind. It's best to observe for now. With the immortal jade within reach, there's no need to rush.
The old beggar clasped his hands behind his back and whistled as he followed.
The three found an inn and checked in. The owner was initially reluctant to serve the old beggar, but upon seeing a silver coin produced by Yun Ze, his smile became radiant.
To save money, Yun Ze only booked two rooms.
After all, Bu Bu was still young. While there was a difference between males and females, it was fine as long as they didn't share a bed.
He settled Bu Bu in her room and then went to find the old beggar.
Tonight, he had killed three people, directly faced the terrifying power of immortals, and glimpsed a sliver of the world's profound mysteries.
Naturally, he needed to find someone who understood everything to have a good chat.
*Knock knock~*
Yun Ze lightly tapped on the door. "Sir, may I disturb you for a moment?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Come in if you want to!"
"...Yes."
Yun Ze had thought the old beggar was merely pretending earlier, believing that all immortals enjoyed his current demeanor. He hadn't expected him to remain the same even after revealing his true identity.
Well, it made him seem more at ease.
Yun Ze pushed the door open and saw the old beggar sprawled on the floor, picking his toes with one hand and gnawing on a braised chicken leg with the other.
"Sit, want to share?"
"Alright."
Yun Ze sat down beside the old beggar and casually picked up another chicken leg from the bowl, completely letting go. "Old senior, the breathing technique you taught me..."
"What taught me, what taught me!"
Before Yun Ze could finish, the old beggar interrupted him, even putting down his chicken leg. He stared at Yun Ze with a serious expression. "Kid, remember this clearly: I never taught you anything!
I merely told you to swim in the water. As for what you saw and what you realized, it's all your own fortune. Understand?"
He didn't want to take responsibility!
It was understandable. Immortals lived carefree lives and naturally wouldn't want to be entangled in the mundane world.
It was already a blessing that he had taught him something. To want to become his disciple and embark on the path of immortality was likely wishful thinking.
"Understood."
Yun Ze nodded. Just as he was about to get up and leave, he heard the old beggar's voice again.
"However, regarding immortals..."
Yun Ze's eyes lit up instantly. He sat back down and looked at the old beggar, his eyes filled with curiosity and longing.
"I can't tell you for now."
"Hm?"
"What 'hm'?"
The old beggar turned and glared at Yun Ze. "I didn't say I'd never tell you. Once you officially cross that threshold, I'll tell you everything you want to know. But before that...
You just stay in the lake and soak. Understood?"
"...Yes."
Yun Ze replied helplessly.
If this old beggar didn't want to talk, he couldn't force him. He picked up the chicken leg and prepared to take his leave.
But after only a few steps, he remembered something and turned back to look at the old beggar. "Senior, I still don't know your name. I can't keep calling you 'Sir' or 'Senior,' can I?"
"You're not worthy of knowing."
The old beggar waved his hand. "Alright, alright, hurry up and leave. I need to get some sleep. If you don't leave, I'll have you help me undress!"
"Yes, junior takes his leave!"
Yun Ze fled the room as if escaping. After closing the door, he still felt his heart pounding in his chest.
Although the old beggar hadn't given a definitive answer, his words clearly conveyed one meaning!
He was indeed an immortal, and the technique he taught... no, the technique he allowed him to learn on his own, could indeed lead him to the path of immortality!
This unexpected joy felt somewhat unreal!
He adjusted his breathing, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and constantly analyzed what he should do next.
The bodies of the three were still submerged. If he wanted to retrieve them, he would have to go back into the lake.
The immortal from the boat earlier hadn't discovered him, so he likely wouldn't return tonight. He should take this opportunity to retrieve the heads of those three beasts first!
Perfect, he could also cultivate some more!
Yun Ze's mind raced. He took a bite of the chicken leg and returned to his room to check on Bu Bu. After confirming she was fine, he left the inn.
The streets of Weishan Prefecture were deserted in the dead of night, with only the sound of the night watchmen's clappers echoing.
Yun Ze deliberately avoided the night watchmen and made his way to the lake, but not to the spot where he had entered the water before.
From this angle, the lakeshore was still dotted with sparse lights in the deep night.
Unlike the myriad lights of households, those flickering lights were all cast by the pleasure boats on the lake.
Yun Ze couldn't understand why the pleasure boats swayed so much when there was no wind or waves on the lake.
He stretched a little and then plunged into the water. The icy lake water instantly enveloped him, but it didn't make him feel suffocated.
Even when Yun Ze reached out to touch the immortal jade in his embrace, that profound sensation surged again!
The cold lake water seemed to be an extension of his body. He could clearly sense every fish, every blade of grass, and even every grain of sand in the lake.
It was as if he could hear the water's joyful clamor!
With a mere thought, the two heads he had severed earlier were sent to him by the current. The body of the one who had been drowned was also decapitated by the current and then sent over.
Yun Ze looked at the three heads before him and felt the changes in the lake water. A thought faintly arose in his mind.
The lake was not far from the prefectural yamen, was it?