Tianguang Kaihe was a good omen, not exactly big or small, but it was rare for both immortals and demons to gather in such large numbers at once. In just one day, every inn in Yandu, from the grandest to the smallest, was filled to capacity, and many immortals and demons still couldn't find a place to stay. Adding to the problem was an unspoken rule in Chenshang Kingdom: neither immortals nor demons were allowed to create pocket dimensions or temporary dwellings within a hundred miles of Yandu to avoid disturbing the city's delicate balance.
These usually pampered immortals and demons had no choice but to rent civilian homes or even camp in the countryside, all eagerly waiting for the moment when Tianguang Kaihe would occur. Many demons who had yet to pass the celestial lightning trial hid deep in the mountains, hoping that the blessing of Tianguang would protect them and help them ascend to immortality.
On her way back to the inn, Tan Yin saw spirit beasts and birds everywhere, along with extravagant carriages stretching for miles. Every inn, no matter how small, was packed with guests, and the innkeepers were grinning from ear to ear, their faces full of wrinkles from joy.
However, trouble often accompanies joy. With Yandu now overrun with immortals and demons, both famous and obscure, it wasn’t surprising that some, like the trickster who had used illusions to pass off fake silver, would appear. As Tan Yin made her way through the streets, many shopkeepers surrounded her, begging to buy Forgery Detection Mirrors from her. Her once-flat purse soon bulged again, fat with silver—a speed of wealth accumulation that left Yuan Zhong in the dust.
“Three hundred taels,” Tan Yin said, weighing her purse, which was now filled with large silver ingots instead of loose change. Yet it was so full it seemed ready to burst. “It’s the first time I’ve ever made so much money in a single day.”
Yuan Zhong snatched the purse and tucked it into his robes. “Mine now.”
Just as Tan Yin was about to respond, a commotion broke out in front of the inn. The crowd parted to make way for a young man in a purple robe, elegantly fanning himself. Two stunning maids followed closely behind him. As soon as he appeared, the noisy street seemed to fall silent for a moment.
"Oh, heavens! Where is this immortal prince from?!" one of the young women in the crowd gasped, nearly fainting. "Even a single strand of his hair is more beautiful than all those other immortals combined!"
The elegant and noble young man clearly enjoyed being the center of attention. He didn’t so much as blink at the adoring gazes. Looking up at the sky, he gracefully waved his fan and spoke with a refined air, “Wanqiu, Lanxuan, I’ve heard there’s a hot spring resort nearby in Tuo Mountain. Let’s go there.”
Just as he was about to take a step, he caught sight of Yuan Zhong and Tan Yin in the crowd. His eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open. His fan shook violently as he pointed at them, looking utterly dumbfounded.
“You… you… you…” he stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.
Yuan Zhong smiled mischievously. “Tang Hua, did a battle ghost steal your tongue?”
“You—you still have the nerve to show your face!” Tang Hua finally managed to shout. He glanced around, realizing the street wasn’t the place to talk, and angrily grabbed Yuan Zhong by the sleeve, hissing, “Come with me!”
Tang Hua dragged Yuan Zhong into a corner and spoke in a furious whisper, “Elder Ding Xu was absolutely livid! Fine, leave if you must, but at least go somewhere remote! Yet here you are, parading around Yandu for Tianguang Kaihe! Are you trying to kill him with rage?”
Yuan Zhong grinned like a rogue. “I left, didn’t I? Isn’t that enough? You’re still around.”
Tang Hua, uncharacteristically, didn’t lose his temper. Instead, he spread his hands and smiled bitterly. “Me? What good am I? I couldn’t even handle one battle ghost, let alone six. Besides you, who in the clan can stand up to them? You killed six of them, no matter how cleanly you destroyed the evidence, the battle ghosts will eventually find out. When they come for revenge, are you suggesting we just wait to be slaughtered?”
Yuan Zhong still smiled, rubbing his nose. “Tang Hua, don’t belittle yourself. You know your own strength.”
Tang Hua was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly. “It seems you’ve been secretly investigating me as well. Orders from Elder Ding Xu?”
“I’m tired of it,” Yuan Zhong said, patting his shoulder, his tone indifferent. “Even within the clan, there’s so much scheming. I’m sick of it. In short, I’m not going back.”
“Is that really your decision?”
“It is.”
“Then you’re no longer the Grand Monk of the Fox Clan?”
Yuan Zhong fell silent. He had chosen to become a monk in the first place because monks presided over celebrations and rituals. He could never forget the eyes he had seen on the platform, the eyes that haunted his dreams in his youth, making him obsessed. But three cycles of sixty years had passed, and those eyes had never appeared again. He had even begun to hate those beautiful eyes, though he couldn’t explain why. His purest, most fervent emotions as a young man had all been offered to those eyes, like a crazed fool.
Even though he had left Fangwai Mountain, he still clung to the title of Grand Monk. He couldn’t bear to give it up, fearing that if he did, he’d never see those eyes again. He was selfish, he was despicable, and Tang Hua’s question left him speechless.
“…Maybe after some more time,” Yuan Zhong murmured wistfully, “I’ll give up the title of Grand Monk.”
Tang Hua sensed the weight of the conversation and coughed twice before changing the subject. “So, where do you plan to go next?”
“I’ll just wander around, enjoying the sights…” Yuan Zhong smiled. “By the way, you mentioned something about a hot spring resort earlier. That sounds interesting…”
Before he could finish, Tang Hua’s expression darkened. “Are you joking? There’s no way I’m hanging around with you!” He quickly turned to his maids and ordered, “Wanqiu, Lanxuan, let’s leave this inn. It seems… unclean.”
Yuan Zhong looped an arm around Tang Hua’s neck, whispering playfully in his ear, “Little Tang Hua, are you scared of me?”
Tang Hua shivered, goosebumps covering his skin as he shook Yuan Zhong off violently. “If you keep this up, I won’t be so polite!”
“Fool, I have no interest in men.” Yuan Zhong blew gently on Tang Hua’s face, laughing as he walked away.
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