Chapter 1018: The Old Mans Words (I)
Li Ximing only had time for a quick glance as Wang Long was already busy gathering up the book. Zhang Gui stepped forward in two strides, silently picked it up, and together they stacked the massive tome back. Only then did Zhang Gui lower his voice and say, "Truly nothing..."
The two exchanged a glance, as if sharing a tacit understanding, and said no more. Wang Long lifted the next book beneath, a purple-gold volume, while Zhang Gui put brush to paper, writing as purple-gold light flowed across the pages. Then Zhang Gui said, "...Hmm... Moongaze Marsh of Jing State, now the domain of Moongaze Lake..."
He paused, then lowered his voice, "Ximing, you haven’t been cultivating in some other place for many years, have you? This matter is too great; you absolutely must not conceal it from me."
Li Ximing reckoned that this was something that should have been recorded. Since the two couldn’t find his entry, they were making a private addition. There was no need for him to hide anything, so he spoke plainly, "Correct."
Zhang Gui wrote two more characters, then asked, "Dao title?"
Li Ximing thought for a moment before replying, "Zhaojing."
Zhang Gui bent over his writing once more. Li Ximing rested a hand on his storage pouch, searched for a bit, then drew out two jade boxes from his sleeve and said softly, "Thank you both for making this trip. I’ve prepared a small token to express my gratitude."
"You are too courteous, Daoist friend." Zhang Gui did not pause his writing. He looked up to offer thanks, then bent back down to continue inscribing.
Wang Long, meanwhile, promptly accepted the gift, gave a slight nod, and replied, "This is simply our duty. No need for such courtesy, Daoist friend."
Seeing how practiced the two were, Li Ximing realized these were all customary dealings. The jade boxes could not block spiritual sense. Inside one lay the Qianyan Radiant Fruit that Luken had once given him, while the other contained a portion of Earth Fiend’s Cold Spring.