Yu Daochen asked, "Right, when is that group of young ones coming?"
"Now," replied Biao Tao from the other end of the line.
Hearing this, Yu Daochen realized the guy was just winging it. "Holy hell, Old Biao, you called me after all this time just to wing it?"
"I had no choice," Biao Tao replied, sounding a bit embarrassed.
Yu Daochen was speechless. "Alright, hang up. You never call me for anything good."
After hanging up, Yu Daochen closed the door and lay down in his rocking chair.
Honestly, among the younger generation, the only ones with any real strength were Qiang Zi, the Holy Master Wang Ming of Wanfo Temple, the spirit medium Wang Fubao, and Fen Yue from the Fu sect. Yu Daochen hadn't seen much power in the others.
However, he knew that there was always someone better, and mountains beyond mountains.
As he was thinking, Yu Daochen suddenly looked at the closed shop door. Speak of the devil.
Yu Daochen didn't rush to open the door. Instead, he brewed a cup of tea, placed it on the table beside his rocking chair, and reclined comfortably.
You couldn't act low-key with these youngsters; you had to hit them with a strong dose of reality.
Outside the Midnight Spirit Shop.
A girl in her early twenties, with her hair in a ponytail and wearing a tracksuit, looked at the shop sign with the words "Midnight Spirit Shop" and asked, "Senior brother, is this the place?"
A disciple of similar age to the girl looked up at the sign as well and nodded. "Senior brother Qiang Zi said it should be here."
The girl's name was Su Hui, and her senior brother was Xie Banghu. Both were disciples of the Maoshan Heavenly Master's Mansion.
As they were contemplating, a young man walked towards them.
"Someone's coming, senior brother," Su Hui said, turning to look at the approaching young man.
Xie Banghu also turned to look. "He's from this line of work."
The young man approached them, a smile on his face. He cupped his fists and said, "You two are likely from the same circle, right? I am Guan Xin from the Lingdao Sect. May I ask which sect you two belong to?"
Xie Banghu returned the gesture, cupping his fists. "I am Xie Banghu, and beside me is my junior sister Su Hui. We are disciples of the Maoshan Heavenly Master's Mansion."
"So, disciples of the Heavenly Master's Mansion, a pleasure to meet you," Guan Xin said with a smile.
As the three were chatting, two more people walked over.
Inside the Midnight Spirit Shop.
Yu Daochen was comfortably reclining in his rocking chair when his phone suddenly buzzed.
Yu Daochen took out his phone and opened WeChat. It was from Qiang Zi.
(Master Yu, I have two junior brothers and sisters coming down the mountain for training. Please look after them.)
Yu Daochen sighed. Even though Qiang Zi had left the Heavenly Master's Mansion, he still looked out for his fellow disciples.
Yu Daochen typed a message and sent it.
(You've left the Heavenly Master's Mansion, yet you still look out for people from there.)
A moment later, Qiang Zi replied.
(My master treated me well. If I can help, I will.)
Looking at Qiang Zi's message, Yu Daochen smiled faintly. The guy hadn't changed.
(Don't worry, I'll take good care of them,) Yu Daochen typed back.
In a traditional wooden house in Lijiang Ancient Town, Yunnan, Qiang Zi sat on the sofa, a cigarette in his mouth, and sent a reply.
(The martial world is dangerous. Those in this line of work don't even know how they died if they lack strength. While ensuring their safety, try to temper them.)
"Can't you smoke less? If you get lung cancer, you'll just watch your wife in another man's arms." Su Qing, who had just walked out of the room, glared at Qiang Zi, who was smoking on the sofa.
Qiang Zi quickly put out the cigarette in his mouth. "No, no, I'll put it out right away."
"Honestly," Su Qing huffed, a little sulkily.
"Oh, right, has Master Yu's eyesight been cured?" Su Qing asked, remembering something.
Qiang Zi nodded and couldn't help but pull out a cigarette from his pack. But seeing Su Qing's look, he quietly put it back. "Master Yu told me when his eyes were healed."
Su Qing nodded. "If it weren't for Master Yu, I might have been separated from you forever."
Seeing Su Qing reminiscing about the past, Qiang Zi chuckled and comforted her. "When we have time, we'll go to Jiangdu to visit Master Yu."
Su Qing nodded, a smile on her face. "Okay. I haven't properly thanked Master Yu for saving my life last time, and I miss Xiao Ya a bit too."
(I'm going to be with my wife now. Call me anytime if anything comes up, Master Yu. We'll come find you to hang out with Su Qing after some time.)
Qiang Zi sent the message.
Yu Daochen, lying in his rocking chair, rolled his eyes and typed a reply.
(Alright, alright, you two coming here is just bullying me, a single man.)
(╭(╯epsilon;╰)╮)
Qiang Zi sent an emoji and didn't reply further.
Yu Daochen put down his phone. It seemed Qiang Zi was living quite a comfortable life.
He also blessed them in his heart. May lovers end up together. Retiring from the martial world and living a peaceful life was quite good.
Yu Daochen also wondered if, when he reached twenty-three or twenty-four, he should casually find a wife and retire from the martial world to live a simple life.
After another half an hour or so, Yu Daochen glanced at his phone. It was about time; everyone should have arrived.