Menghu was so annoyed by this Ding guy he wanted to bite him, but there was no movement from the flying ship. Had something happened to his master? The thought made him even more anxious. Just as he was about to check, though, a phantom palm suddenly hurtled toward the still-rambling Ding Zijin.
Startled, Ding Zijin summoned a defensive treasure artifact. When the barrier from the activated treasure was struck by the forceful rush of wind from the palm-strike, the ensuing impact threw him back several feet.
“Shizun.” Menghu looked back to see Qingtong standing with his hands behind his back. He still looked a bit unwell, but his lips were no longer as pale as they had been earlier.
Ding Zijin quickly summoned his flying sword to catch and steady himself. His heart sank when he saw the man in the ship. If he’d encountered the sect leader of Woyun Sect, he’d still have room to maneuver, but it was just his luck to run into the bad-tempered Qingtong-zhenren! “I—ARGH—!” He didn’t even manage to get another word out when he was struck by another palm-strike.
“Beat it!” The cold voice, thick with spiritual power, boomed through the clouds.
“I didn’t know it was you. Please forgive me!” Ding Zijin didn’t dare say another word. This man didn’t care about anyone’s sensitivities—he wouldn’t give him the time of day. Displease this fiend, and even if his father were here, he’d beat him up without mercy. Throwing out these words behind him, he fled on his flying sword.
To be fair, when a nascent soul cultivator met a soul transformation cultivator, he could still put up a fight if he was strong enough and had enough spiritual treasures. But Ding Zijin had only wanted to gather information, not risk his life for it. He was still planning to visit Woyun Sect later to trade for the Meteorfall Stone, so he couldn’t risk fighting back and offending Qingtong. But if he didn’t fight back, he’d be in for a thrashing. Retreat was the best strategy.
“Shizun, are you all right?” Menghu helped Qingtong back to the chair.
“I’m fine.” Qingtong sat down and glanced at Mo Tianliao cowering in the corner.
“Hm? Shidi, what’s up with you?” Menghu went over to check on his junior, who was huddling against the stern, holding his head.
“N-nothing…” With his head still lowered, Mo Tianliao shuffled to the helm. “You should take a rest now that Shizun is fine. I’ll steer the ship.” He commandeered the spot at the steering wheel without any further explanation.
Qingtong snorted and smacked his eldest disciple on the head before he could get any closer.
Menghu scratched his head. Although he was curious, he couldn’t defy his master, so he obediently transformed into a tiger and let his master single-handedly carry him to the stern. Well, it was more like he grabbed the tiger by the scruff of his neck, and the tiger compliantly followed. Once there, the tiger plopped down, looking submissive.
Qingtong leaned against the warm tiger and looked at the silent figure at the stern through narrowed eyes. The black outer robe billowed in the wind, revealing the dark-colored inner garment beneath the shredded fabric of the outer robe. Extending his fingers before him, he looked at them, then at the guy hunched over at the front, feeling the itch in his palm again.
Meanwhile, Mo Tianliao touched the scratches across his face and the bite mark on his chin, not daring to make a sound.
✦ ✦ ✦
MINI EXTRA
A Fulfilling and Meaningful Day
Little birdie: So, what did everyone gain today?
Six Harmonies Bazaar: Tons of spiritual stones! Ka-ching, kaching!
Ding Zijin: A slap from Qingtong-zhenren! Scared me shitless!
Tiger: A scandalous secret! Shh! (⊙ω⊙)
Woodworker: A faceful of wood shavings… Ehehehe…