The Unruly Immortals

Li Sui didn't care why Xuan Pin's voice sounded different from before; after all, a hundred and eighty years had passed. It's only natural for the voice to change a bit.

Upon hearing that the other party knew exactly what was happening, Li Sui was thrilled.

"Really? That's great, then take me to Da Liang now. I'll wait for my father there. Oh, and my father needs Dragon Qi, lots and lots of Dragon Qi. We need to prepare a lot in advance to help my father when the time comes."

However, upon hearing this, Li Sui was surprised to find the other party shaking their head at him. "No, you shouldn't come along."

"Ah? Why not!? I want to go home!" Hearing this, Li Sui became anxious again.

He had finally gotten this far, yet now there was a problem.

"You know too much and your mind isn't complete. Talking carelessly about these things in Da Liang could disrupt causality. It's safer to stay in Da Qi."

"I won't say anything to anyone! My lips are sealed," Li Sui promised repeatedly.

At this time, Zuo Qiuyong came over and gave Li Sui a disapproving look. "Tsk tsk tsk, you silly little kid. You're not discreet; you almost told everyone we met along the way where you come from. Don't worry, I sent someone to clean up."

"You stay here in Da Qi. Stick close to your aunt; she'll teach you well so you won't end up like Zhang Baizhi, being deceived by others."

"But...."

"No buts, consider it for your father's sake. It's decided. I'll come for you in a hundred and eighty years," Xuan Pin said, then vanished like smoke.

"Don't think about sneaking over here. If I catch you, there will be consequences!"

Li Sui pressed his lips tightly, tears welling up in his eyes. Although Xuan Pin wasn't wrong, he didn't like this new Xuan Pin — not trusting him at all.

Their words were hard and uncompromising.

"Come on, let's head back. After all, you need to wait a hundred and eighty years. What's the difference if you stay in Da Qi or Da Liang?" Zuo Qiuyong reached out to touch Li Sui's head.

"From now on, we'll treat you like a daughter. It's just right since we have no child of our own. Don't dislike me for being a flawed person."

Hearing this, Li Huowang shook his head and wiped his tears, "I don't dislike it. I know Auntie is a good person."

"Take the carriage back. We still have things to do, so we can't see you off. You know, being with the Astronomical Bureau of Da Qi, I'm always busy."

Watching the disheartened Li Sui get on the carriage and leave, Zuo Qiuyong stood in the Bamboo Forest and didn't leave, watching the bamboo leaves as if waiting for something.

Once the sound of hooves completely disappeared, Zuo Qiuyong spoke softly, "Come out."

As soon as the words fell, a wide red Taoist Robe dropped from the air, and it was none other than the Xuan Pin who had just vanished.

This Xuan Pin reached out, removed the robe, revealing a human pyramid of three atop one another — two men and one woman, who looked like siblings. The Xuan Pin just now was actually them in disguise.

The three quickly disbanded, kneeling on one knee before Zuo Qiuyong, hands clasped. "Lord of the Astronomical Bureau!!"

"How do you handle things? Even such a small matter requires me to step in. Don't you have mouths? Do you not want to keep your mouths?"

Upon hearing the threat in Zuo Qiuyong's words, cold sweat broke out on their foreheads. If they said something wrong, they indeed wouldn't have mouths anymore.

"My lord, actually I ----"

"Enough, stop wasting breath, go back. Remember, this is the last time; there won't be a next." Zuo Qiuyong turned and left as he spoke.

Just as the three let out a breath of relief, Zuo Qiuyong's voice came from ahead, "Don't throw away that robe. You might need it to discreetly handle that little rascal without a trace. Your Xuan Pin disguise will come in handy."

"Yes! My lord, we three brothers will always be prepared!"

"Not too long now, once I've extracted everything she knows, you can take her to be refined into a Magic Artifact."

The faces of the three immediately lit up with joy, "Thank you, Lord of the Astronomical Bureau, for the reward!"

This Xinsu is a rare heavenly treasure — even more so since it's an Evil Spirit disguised as Xinsu.

In the following period, Li Sui gradually adapted to life in Da Qi under Zuo Qiuyong's care.

During this time, Li Sui realized Auntie was very curious about the events of a hundred and eighty years ago. Without defense against the always-kind Auntie, Li Sui told her everything he knew.

Even some things he had long forgotten, he tried hard to recall.

Initially, Li Sui felt uneasy about being in Da Qi, thinking if he were in Da Liang, he'd be closer to his father.

However, under Zuo Qiuyong's meticulous care, Li Sui gradually got used to life in Da Qi.

Moreover, he felt that Auntie was right; his father would come to Da Qi many times. Whether he was in Da Qi or Da Liang, he'd still end up waiting for his father to come.

One afternoon, Li Sui walked into the house with something hidden in his hands, smiling happily. Zuo Qiuyong, who was doing needlework, gave her a side-eye, "What are you up to?"

"Auntie, close your eyes."

"If I close my eyes and prick my hand on the needle, what then?" Zuo Qiuyong teased, brushing the hair at her temple with her thimbled right hand.

"Oh come on, just close your eyes."

Unable to resist Li Sui's pestering, Zuo Qiuyong finally closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she found a clay figurine looking exactly like herself in front of her.

"Auntie, I like you the most! You and my father are so good to me. You're my family now too!" Overjoyed, Li Sui clung to Zuo Qiuyong, pushing the figurine into her hands.

"Oh my, oh my, the needle! Be careful," Zuo Qiuyong hurriedly set aside her needlework.

"Stop clinging, it's hot. Hungry? There's food prepared for you in the study, go on."

Hearing there was food, Li Sui immediately let go of Zuo Qiuyong and ran to the study.

"Slow down, and remember not to disturb the ink monkey. It trembles on its legs whenever it sees you now."

"Got it!"

Listening to Li Sui's footsteps fading away, Zuo Qiuyong continued with her needlework, a smile on her face.

As she bit off the final thread with her mouth, the three siblings knelt on one knee before her. "Lord of the Astronomical Bureau! We are ready to serve at any time!"

The smile on Zuo Qiuyong's face gradually disappeared as she belatedly realized, "Oh dear, my mind is slipping. I've almost finished questioning her; I should indeed clean up. The fewer who know about this, the better."

She picked up the clay figurine beside her, studying it carefully, her expression showing a hint of hesitation.

"My lord?"

"Go, give her a swift end." Zuo Qiuyong casually tossed the clay figurine in front of them.

After they left, tears began to fall from Zuo Qiuyong's eyes. She wiped them away tenderly and resumed her needlework.

"Sigh... after being together so long, it's hard not to feel a bit reluctant."