Chapter 2557 - 2555: A Title
In front of the Bamboo Forest Cottage, Wang Xiaoya filled Taibai Venus’s cup with the freshly brewed tea.
Taibai Venus stared at her in surprise and said, "Fairy, you remind me of a friend in the Heavenly Court."
Wang Xiaoya smiled at him, "A lot of people say that."
"The affairs of the world are truly amazing."
Taibai Venus picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and complimented, "The tea is very delicious!"
"Thank you!"
Wang Xiaoya smiled gently and stepped aside.
Long Fei came over carrying a hoe, wiped his sweat, and sat down opposite Taibai Venus.
He looked like a farmer, completely lacking the aura of a reclusive sage untouched by mortal concerns.
Dirt still clung to his feet, not yet washed off.
Taibai Venus smiled and said, "The Island Master really has refined tastes, living this life of picking chrysanthemums east of the fence."
Long Fei smiled faintly, "Just a bit of the craft of my past life, it’s been so long since I practiced, my hands are unfamiliar."
Taibai Venus curiously asked, "So does that mean the Island Master was born an ordinary person?"
Long Fei nodded, "I come from a farming background. Our family was very poor when I was young, and I had to help my grandpa work in the fields every day. Those kids brought in these peach trees but had no idea how to cultivate them, so I, the old farmer, had to step in."
Taibai Venus burst into laughter, "Having such experiences is also wonderful, unlike us, looking back on the past, everything is so ephemeral."
Long Fei drank a bowl of tea and asked him, "Noble Immortal, have you come to the Mortal Realm to hold me accountable?"
Taibai Venus replied, "Of course not, I’m someone who has never liked resorting to violence. This time, I came down mainly to get to know the Island Master. By the way, I wanted to ask if the Island Master is interested in taking an official position in the Heavenly Court?"
Long Fei lightly chuckled and shook his head, "As the Noble Immortal can see, I’m used to a carefree lifestyle and come from humble beginnings, only knowing how to farm. I’ve never been adept at being an official. I’m afraid I must respectfully decline."
Taibai Venus was prepared and calmly replied, "For cultivators, who prefer to transcend worldly things and live in seclusion, I can understand. The official position I’m talking about is merely nominal and doesn’t require the Island Master to do anything. With such a title, not only does the Heavenly Court save face, but it also makes things easier for the Island Master in the future—a win-win."
"That sounds good."
Long Fei looked at Taibai Venus and asked, "But I wonder how significant this nominal position would be?"
Taibai Venus laughed heartily, "As big as the Island Master wants."
Long Fei softly chuckled, "I heard there once was a monkey whom the Noble Immortal recruited and ultimately bestowed the title ’Great Sage Equal to Heaven’ upon."
"Such an event did occur!"
Taibai Venus smiled with furrowed brows, "If the Island Master desires, I can report to the Jade Emperor and grant the Island Master such a title."
Long Fei tapped the table with his fingers and softly smiled, "That’s indeed a good title, but I don’t want to share fame with a monkey. If the Jade Emperor is sincere, then make me an Eastern Emperor."
"Eastern Emperor?"
Taibai Venus’s fingers trembled as he stared at Long Fei, "Isn’t the Island Master’s request a bit too high? You understand the significance of this title, right?"
Long Fei picked up the tea bowl, "It’s just a title. Even though the Eastern Emperor once ruled the Heavenly Court, now it serves no purpose. If the Noble Immortal is inconvenienced, I won’t insist. Consider today’s meeting a moment to make friends with the Noble Immortal. Feel free to come over for tea anytime."
"Excellent!"
Taibai Venus laughed aloud, clinking tea bowls with Long Fei and sipping together.
He set down his tea bowl, looking content, "Tea made from Peach Hua is truly endlessly fascinating. As the Island Master said, I shall drop by for a cup of idle tea whenever I’m free, and I hope the Island Master doesn’t mind."
"Of course!"
Long Fei laughed, "The Noble Immortal can come over anytime."
Taibai Venus, holding his horsetail whisk, stood up and said, "Very well, very well. I’ve had my tea, discussed business, and now it’s time for me to return and report."
"Take care, Noble Immortal."
Long Fei clasped his fists in farewell.
Taibai Venus called out to the mountains below, "Girl, we’re heading back!"
Zixuan, who was chatting with the Little Kirin by the lakeside, suddenly returned to her senses and said shyly while folding her hands behind her back, "Then I’m leaving!"
Little Kirin nodded and said, "Visit next time, I’ll prepare delicious food for you, something you’ve never tasted."
Zixuan laughed, "You mean that Dragon-Headed Fish you ate last time? Indeed, I’ve never tried such a rare thing."
Little Kirin scratched his head embarrassed, "Then next time you come, I’ll treat you to this."
"It’s a deal then!"
Zixuan smiled, revealing two shallow dimples, waved, and bid farewell to the Little Kirin.
After Taibai Venus left, she followed suit.
The Little Kirin stood dazedly watching her, and only after she disappeared did he return to the mountain.
He found Little Bai and a few others, clenched his fists, ready to beat them.
Little Bai and the others hid behind Long Fei, shouting, "Father, Big Brother is bullying us!"
The Little Kirin frustratedly said, "Can you all behave properly in front of the Fairy?"
Little Bai laughed, "We weren’t improper, but it’s Big brother who’s slightly improper. Why do you always take the Fairy to secluded places when it’s just the two of you?"
"You’re asking for a beating!"
The Little Kirin raised his fist, then sat down by Long Fei and grabbed a tea bowl to gulp down.
Wang Xiaoya looked at him and laughed, "I think that girl has a good heart, she’s a good girl. If you like her, don’t miss the chance."
The Little Kirin blushed and said, "Second Mother, how can you be like them? I only met the girl once, and I’ve already ruined her reputation. I’d be grateful if she doesn’t blame me; I wouldn’t think about these messy things."
Little Bai asked Long Fei, "Father, tell us. Do my Big Brother and this future sister-in-law have any destiny together?"
Long Fei softly chuckled, "They do, and it’s not a shallow one."
"See!"
Everyone burst into laughter, making the Little Kirin cover his head, nearly banging it on the table.
Long Fei told the Little Kirin and Little Bai, "The seven emotions and six desires, human ethics and morals, are inherently the right path. Although you have Divine Beast bodies, what you cultivate is the Human Path. Without experiencing life, you won’t attain the Great Dao. So, if you have such feelings, don’t suppress them deliberately. I don’t oppose these things."
"Got it!"
The four of them secretly laughed, nudging the Little Kirin playfully beneath the table.
The Little Kirin, feeling overwhelmed, led them away while saying goodbye. After Long Fei’s explanation, he seemed to come to a sudden realization and felt much lighter.
"Being young is wonderful."
Wang Xiaoya watched them with amusement, her head full of memories, "I remember when you first pursued me, you were just like the Kirin, silly and easily blushing."
"Was I?"
Long Fei smiled and held her hand, "I still blush now."
"You’re annoying!"
Wang Xiaoya withdrew her hand and told him, "I think the Kirin has someone else in his heart, which is why he’s so conflicted."
"You mean He Tiantian?"
Long Fei looked at her.
She nodded, "Yes, they grew up together, there’s surely a bond. Since we’ve settled here, it’s time for you to consider when to bring up your sister and the others."
"I should think about it!"
Long Fei gazed into the distance, lifting the tea bowl for a sip.