Chen Ping's Sword

And what about Mu Yuanzhen from the Shenxiao Sword Sect?

He is ranked fourth on the Hidden Dragon List, but whether he has broken through to the Unity Realm, or how long it might take him to do so, nobody knows.

Every time he encounters a strong or not so strong opponent, Mu Yuanzhen always wins by a narrow margin. Without making any waves, he has reached such a high ranking, which can only mean he is quite the hidden talent.

Fang Qingzhu’s attitude towards him is somewhat indifferent.

It’s not entirely because he has a bit of a flattering demeanor, but because she finds it hard to see through him.

He obviously puts on airs and has gained a reputation, as if he’s already become the admirer of this South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest Fairy. However, when trouble arises, he is nowhere to be seen.

When things calm down, well, he bounces back again.

He doesn’t even feel a tad embarrassed, as if he just went to visit relatives or friends recently, without explaining where he had been.

"No need for formality, Xiaoyu, go serve some tea."

Guests are guests.

Besides being devoted to gourmet food, Fang Qingzhu is actually very easygoing.

If she doesn’t understand something, she simply doesn’t think about it.

After completing the task entrusted by her master, she didn’t have much else to hold on to. Living in Cuihu Residence was merely to experience the world, leading a leisurely life and meeting all sorts of people, which was quite nice.

Xiaoyu looked up, chewed on a piece of fish blankly.

"Ah..."

She didn’t know how to host guests?

She was just a village maid from a deserted island, not even able to make tea.

Fang Qingzhu’s elegant fairy-like face immediately turned slightly red, thinking that bringing Xiaoyu along would eventually cost her face.

However, this maid was sent by her master, she didn’t dare to change her, nor did she want to.

She could only endure it.

Fortunately, Zuo Xiaoyuan, being very perceptive, deftly made the tea and took Miss Xiaoyu aside to chatter, easing the atmosphere somewhat.

Over here, Mu Yuanzhen explained his intentions.

He had come to apologize.

"A few days ago, I suddenly had urgent business and left Xingqing Prefecture. After the fact, I heard that Fairy Qingzhu was almost...um, almost accidentally hurt by King Ping. In a panic, I rushed back, only to find the fairy in good health, which is very good."

Mu Yuanzhen spoke flattering words, expressed loyalty, and suddenly felt a chill down his back, a slight chill in his heart. Turning his head, he found Miss Xiaoyuan looking down at her toes, staying quiet.

Meanwhile, Xiaoyu was squatting on the ground counting ants, even feeding them two grains of rice.

He turned back, feeling perplexed, and quickly fished out from his waist pouch a duck egg-sized green wooden mantis, placed it on the table, and said with a smile, "I heard that besides loving gourmet food, Fairy Qingzhu also particularly enjoys puppet carving. In my humble travels, I obtained a puppet and thought of the fairy, so I came to present it as a gift..."

Mu Yuanzhen’s pleasing words and willingness to humble himself won over with gift-giving.

Even if Fang Qingzhu was extremely impatient inside, she couldn’t outright ask him to leave directly.

She held the teacup for quite some time, seeing that he still seemed oblivious and hadn’t taken the hint to say goodbye, she sighed inwardly, thinking she might as well critique this mantis puppet, point out the craftsman’s shortcomings, and then send him away.

Just as she thought of this.

Fang Qingzhu noticed the mantis started to move.

"Hmm..."

"Yin Yang Saber Technique?"

Fang Qingzhu immediately recognized it; the mantis was wielding its arms like sabers, performing an exquisitely complex saber technique.

The two sabers interwove in dazzling arrays, falling like rain. Amidst the ebb and flow, its body spun, advancing and retreating with remarkable precision.

"It’s actually a puppet, what a fine wooden mantis."

Though she had previously decided not to keep this troublemaker of a puppet, Fang Qingzhu couldn’t help but brighten her eyes with interest.

Having grown up in the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest, the little island had its merits but was too desolate.

Especially lacking various spices.

Her master was also a reclusive cultivator, rarely leaving the island.

As a result, lively by nature, she found life very dull.

She could not spend every day learning with Mr. Bamboo.

Nor could she always accompany Uncle Xiong to gather honey...

Or follow Fire Child to roast fish every day.

As for her senior sister, that was out of the question. She wouldn’t play with her...

Besides practicing martial arts, in order to pass the long and tedious days, she learned to carve puppets. On the island, there was no shortage of bamboo, and with time, she became skilled at bamboo carving.

It was a rare good pastime.

As for Xiaoyu?

She remembered her master carrying Xiaoyu back when she was ten.

Somewhat simple-minded, couldn’t specify from which river or stream she hailed.

The island didn’t have delicious foods, so when she arrived in the Central Plains, she became obsessed with various delicacies, never getting enough.

Although she didn’t have money, there were plenty of heroes and young lords along the way fighting for the opportunity to treat, so she never lacked in spending money.

Among them, Mu Yuanzhen was the most persistent one, following all day with a smile, like gum stuck to her shoe, impossible to shake off, with skin seemingly thicker than city walls.

The most crucial part, he never got angry, no matter how scolded.

Every meeting was like the first.

He eagerly presented all sorts of tasty and fun things.

Despite appearing perfectly fine, Fang Qingzhu simply didn’t warm up to him, always feeling like ants were crawling when facing him.

Instead, it was Chen Ping, who fiercely wounded her with a sword, and usually ignored her, but for some reason, seeing him made her feel particularly at ease, not wanting to leave him.

Moreover, that guy went off to war, and she found herself foolishly worrying about him.

Really saw a ghost.

’Master, oh master, is there really an opportunity in Xingqing Prefecture? Could it be that you knew I was eavesdropping and deliberately played a prank?

You also said that once off the island, without forming a Dharma Body, one can’t return. What kind of rule is that? If I happen to die without forming a Dharma Body, you’ll lose me, your precious disciple.’

Fang Qingzhu’s thought process drifted, and she ultimately couldn’t resist, picking up the wooden mantis puppet to closely examine its joints and mechanism, gaining some insights, completely forgetting to send someone away.

"So, Fairy Fang likes Mu’s little gift, I can relax now. Unfortunately, I don’t understand Mechanical Technique. Otherwise, I could have a good discussion with the fairy.

I’ve heard that the best mechanicians not only make puppets but also, relying on terrain and structures, create infinitely intricate buildings. Using mundane materials, they align with the celestial bodies, forming arrays, such prowess is truly aspirational."

Mu Yuanzhen sighed introspectively, prattling on, and despite being ignored, showed no embarrassment.

After refilling the tea twice, he finally grew uneasy, smiling as he took his leave.

This time, Zuo Xiaoyuan did not escort him out.

Casually instructing someone to see him off, she stood in place, seemingly lost in thought.

"Mechanical Technique."

She clicked her tongue, turned through the corridor, and gestured, causing a gray pigeon to fly down from the eaves, landing on her hand.

Hastily writing a message, "Foolish fish takes bait, Xingqing incident, return quickly."

She released the pigeon, watched the sky for a moment, then smiled mysteriously, pretending nothing happened, and headed to the kitchen.