Chapter Thirty-Two: The Oil-Paper Flower Umbrella

Just as Tianjizi was preparing to go in search of Hua Sheng and his companions, the three of them tumbled right in front of him.

"Bad luck! I feel like my bones are about to fall apart." Hua Sheng stood up while rubbing his backside, only to realize that the entire room full of eyes was fixed on the three of them.

Hua Sheng was stunned for a long moment before whispering to the equally shocked Mie Ying beside him, "Ask your big sister if it’s mandatory for Immortal Masters to hold a work summary meeting in the middle of the night every day..."

Mie Ying was also dumbfounded and replied softly, "I’ve never heard of such a thing..."

Taishang Xiaojun, thinking quickly, jumped forward and said, "My apologies, esteemed Immortal Masters! Look on the bright side—at least the disciples didn't spend the night out."

"That’s right! We’ll definitely have this roof fixed by tomorrow!" Hua Sheng immediately chimed in, turning around to add, "You masters finish your meeting and get some rest! Bye-bye!"

With that, Hua Sheng grabbed Mie Ying and prepared to bolt out the door.

"Stop right there!" Tianjizi pointed at Hua Sheng and barked, "I was just looking for you!"

Hua Sheng sighed, turned back, and said, "Tianjizi, you really have no idea what I’ve been through today. I’m so filthy I actually stink—smell me. Can we talk about this tomorrow?"

Before Tianjizi could answer, a voice came from behind him: "Since you are here, that is perfect!"

Hua Sheng poked his head out to look and saw a bald man holding a crutch. Standing behind him were a man carrying a sword and a young woman holding a lotus flower.

Hua Sheng was just about to burst out laughing: "Oh my! Is everyone imitating the Eight Immortals so late at night? Are you rehearsing for a performance of the *Journey to the East*? I admire Iron Crutch Li the most for his indomitable spirit! Be sure to call me to watch, ha..."

He took another look and saw that the massive hall was deathly silent.

"Uh... did I say something wrong?" Hua Sheng asked awkwardly.

Taishang Xiaojun looked at Hua Sheng with a blank expression: "No, quite the contrary. You were right."

"No way! Is that really a living Lu Dongbin?" Hua Sheng was astonished. He pulled out the Ruihua Treasure Mirror and said, "I’ve liked him since I was a kid! Can we take a photo together? Ha..."

Seeing that everyone around him looked solemn and no one echoed his enthusiasm, Hua Sheng had to awkwardly put the mirror away.

Just then, Iron Crutch Li said, "Since we were just missing this disciple named Hua Sheng, we might as well begin the inquiry into Lan Caihe's whereabouts."

Hearing that they wanted to track down Lan Caihe, Hua Sheng quickly said, "Great Immortals, I also wish to find Lan Caihe. Unfortunately, I suffered from memory loss. Although I have recalled part of it and remember seeing Lan Caihe on a cruise ship called the *Bedlam*, I truly do not know where he went after that."

Immortal Master Yuran added, "Esteemed Immortals, what Hua Sheng says is the absolute truth."

At this moment, He Xiangu, who had been silent, spoke up: "Since we have arrived here tonight, we cannot simply listen to Hua Sheng’s side of the story. The Academy must provide an explanation! In my view, the disappearance of Lan Caihe must be related to this person!"

Seeing that he couldn't get past this hurdle, Hua Sheng suddenly remembered that the Star Lord Daoling had told him that he might be able to recover his lost memories if he went to the Panxian Cave.

Hua Sheng thought he could use this as an excuse to go to the cave. First, he could search for clues about Lan Caihe and solve the mystery of the Samadhi True Fire inside him; second, he might discover why the purple-gold thread on his body had ended up on the other side of the Earth in Paris.

Wouldn't this be killing two birds with one stone?

He immediately said, "Right! The Panxian Cave! I’ve heard that one might be able to see past events there. Why don't we go there tomorrow and try?"

He Xiangu frowned and said, "Panxian Cave? Do you realize that is a restricted area in the Han Shu Niuzhou?"

Lu Dongbin said, "I have indeed heard before that the Panxian Cave can generate an immortal array that reflects time."

Iron Crutch Li heard this and said, "What do you think, Immortal Fairy? You, the Honorable Lady of Great Mercy, are currently the acting dean of the Taoist Academy."

He Xiangu bowed and replied, "That depends on the will of the Immortals."

Just as Iron Crutch Li was about to speak, Immortal Master Yuran interjected, "Regarding the trip to the Panxian Cave, should we defer to the decision of Taibai Jinxing?"

Iron Crutch Li shook his head: "This can be considered a private matter among the Eight Immortals; if we report every step up the chain, it will never end. Let’s treat finding Lan Caihe as helping a nephew find his father, and helping Han Zhongli find his disciple. I, Iron Crutch Li, will take responsibility for this. I will explain it to Taibai Jinxing in person another day."

Immortal Master Jueguang was silent for a moment before asking, "Are the three Immortals suggesting we go tomorrow?"

"No! We depart immediately! Lu Dongbin, I entrust this matter to you." Iron Crutch Li slammed his crutch onto the floor with a thud and said, "Take Tianjizi and this Hua Sheng to the Panxian Cave right now!"

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this!

Hua Sheng quickly asked, "L-leave right now?"

Taishang Xiaojun hurriedly said, "Everyone must be exhausted today. Could we rest for the night and depart early tomorrow morning?"

Iron Crutch Li scolded them with a majestic voice: "You can afford to wait, but can Lan Caihe? Say no more!"

Immortal Master Jueguang frowned, but in his current position, it was not appropriate for him to say anything more.

"You’ve got to be kidding! It’s already midnight. At least let me go back and take a shower!" Hua Sheng felt a bit emotional. After spending a hundred days of focused cultivation at the Daqian Zen Temple, he never expected that his first day out would be such a frantic race, without even a moment to catch his breath.

Iron Crutch Li leaned on his crutch and stood up, saying, "If there is nothing else, the Immortal Masters may disperse. I must take my leave as well."

Having heard this, the present Immortal Masters rose one by one and left the Yingyan Hall amidst a flurry of whispers.

After the meeting ended, Immortal Masters Jueguang and Yuran were busy seeing off Iron Crutch Li and arranging accommodations for He Xiangu. Once everyone had dispersed, the bustling Yingyan Hall instantly became empty.

Taishang Xiaojun saw his chance, immediately furrowing his brow as he pulled Hua Sheng and Mie Ying aside to whisper a few words. Before Xiaojun could finish, Lu Dongbin and Tianjizi walked straight toward the three of them.

It was Hua Sheng's first time seeing Lu Dongbin up close, and he felt deeply that the man was worthy of his fame as a renowned Immortal. Standing beside him, Hua Sheng felt not only a head shorter but also afraid to even breathe loudly.

Tianjizi asked, "Shall we head out now?"

Taishang Xiaojun yawned, ready to leave, and said, "Mie Ying, why don't you accompany Hua Sheng? I’ve been busy all day, so I’m going back to rest."

Tianjizi quickly said, "It’s the middle of the night; it’s highly inconvenient for us to take a young girl out. Mie Ying, you should go back and rest as well."

Mie Ying looked at Hua Sheng with a troubled expression.

Taishang Xiaojun, who had just taken a few steps, turned back and said to Lu Dongbin, "Lord Chunyang, I, Taishang Xiaojun, have a word to say. This Tianjizi and Hua Sheng have long been at odds, and Hua Sheng is just a simple-minded mortal. Since going to the Panxian Cave is an official matter, let’s not let personal grudges interfere. Mie Ying is the goddaughter of the Fire Wheel Heavenly King; bringing her along is not a burden, and she might even be of some help."

Seeing Taishang Xiaojun’s persistence, Lu Dongbin said, "I have long heard of Taishang Xiaojun. In the Heavenly Court, I once heard your grandfather mention that his grandson is a clever child. Since you have concerns, and Mie Ying has Nezha as a half-guarantor, let the girl come along."

"Thank you, Lord Chunyang!" Mie Ying said smartly, "Let me return to my quarters to prepare!"

"It’s too much trouble for a girl to go out! We don't have time to waste." Tianjizi was already somewhat displeased, but since Lu Dongbin had agreed, he had to swallow his frustration. Hearing that Mie Ying needed time to prepare, he seized the chance to object.

Mie Ying quickly retorted, "I just checked, and there might be a heavy snowfall in Hanzhou tonight. I’m just going to my quarters to grab a snow-shielding umbrella."

Tianjizi said, "Why go to such lengths? Just conjure an umbrella."

"No, no, no! I refuse!" Mie Ying shook her head like a rattle, saying, "The oil-paper umbrella I want to take was carefully selected from the market—it’s absolutely beautiful! It’s hard enough to wait for a heavy snowfall; wouldn't it ruin the mood to use a cheap one?"

"We are here on business, not to admire the snow," Tianjizi snorted. "Go quickly, and be back in a moment. We won't wait if you're late!"

Hua Sheng also took the opportunity to say, "Then, given that I’m covered in sweat, may I also return to my quarters to bathe?"

"Stand still!" Lu Dongbin barked. "You brat, don't be so reckless!"

Hua Sheng sighed and had to stand to the side.

Taishang Xiaojun, seeing that Mie Ying was accompanying Hua Sheng, felt relieved: "Then I shall take my leave. Everyone, be careful on your journey, and return soon."

With that, Xiaojun bowed to the group and walked out of Yingyan Hall with Mie Ying.

The empty Yingyan Hall was left with only Hua Sheng, Tianjizi, and the famous Lu Dongbin. He felt the atmosphere was stiff. Although he had seen flashes of Lan Caihe after shattering the Year Star Gauze, he truly had no idea what had actually happened.

Fortunately, Taishang Xiaojun was clever enough to have Mie Ying tag along. If he discovered at the Panxian Cave that those memories were disadvantageous to him, wouldn't he be turned to dust right in front of Tianjizi and Lu Dongbin? Having Mie Ying there provided some support; if something went wrong, Tianjizi and Lu Dongbin might not dare to act rashly out of deference to Nezha.

Even if Mie Ying wasn't their match, they would certainly be wary of the Fire Wheel Heavenly King.

Moreover, recalling the words of Star Lord Daoling in the Liannu Heaven Prison, Hua Sheng felt a lingering unease. Because he had encountered this situation immediately upon returning to the Academy, he hadn't had a chance to report the matter of the purple-gold thread to Immortal Masters Yuran and Jueguang. It seemed he would have to wait until he returned from the Panxian Cave to discuss it with them.

Before Hua Sheng could ponder further, Mie Ying had already returned.

Surprisingly, she had changed into a gorgeous, vibrant outfit. She had traded her Academy robes for a red, gold-embroidered, thin-lined jacket with a beige, waist-high, printed pleated skirt. Under the thousands of flickering candles in Yingyan Hall, the moment Mie Ying walked in, she looked stunningly beautiful and graceful.

The dust, smoke, and fatigue of the journey were gone; she looked like a delicate, budding flower. Hua Sheng, who was used to seeing her in robes, was momentarily dazed. She had been gone for no more than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, yet she returned looking like a young lady from a prestigious family, meticulously groomed and dressed.

Not only that, but she also held a vibrant oil-paper umbrella painted with colorful peonies.

Seeing her like this, Tianjizi said impatiently, "I thought you were just grabbing an umbrella; why did you have time to groom yourself?"

Hua Sheng retorted, "She didn't take any extra time, so what are you complaining about?"

"You ant..." Tianjizi started, but was interrupted by Mie Ying's voice.

"What? With such a beautiful oil-paper umbrella, of course I had to choose a matching outfit." Mie Ying held her head high, her words laced with a sharp edge. "Official Registrar, why do you feel the need to manage what others wear? Is this what being a Registrar is all about—worrying about the attire of the Academy’s female disciples?"

This sarcasm left Tianjizi with no face. Constrained by Lu Dongbin’s presence, he couldn't say more and simply flicked his sleeves and walked out the door.

Mie Ying ignored him and bounced over to Hua Sheng like a child. "Hua Sheng, Hua Sheng, look, isn't this oil-paper flower umbrella beautiful? And what do you think of my outfit?"

Seeing Mie Ying’s radiant appearance, Hua Sheng’s heart skipped a beat.

Mie Ying used a delicate finger to point at the pattern on the umbrella. "You! You really need to appreciate this umbrella cover. It’s absolutely gorgeous!"

As they stood close, Hua Sheng could see her clearly. Mie Ying had traced light eyeliner, and her complexion was as pink as peach blossoms. In the flickering candlelight, dressed in her vibrant finery, she looked like a stunning temptress, leaving Hua Sheng intoxicated.

Seeing Hua Sheng’s dazed expression, Mie Ying hummed. "Why are you acting like a fool again?"

"Wh... what?"

"I just asked you what you thought of the umbrella and if it matches me?"

"So... so beautiful."

"Is that all?"

"Enchanting."

"Who is enchanted?"

"I... ah! No, I mean it looks very good," Hua Sheng quickly corrected.

Mie Ying giggled like silver bells and tucked her arm into Hua Sheng’s.

"Panxian Cave, oh Panxian Cave! I’ve heard of this place long ago." She raised her right hand, her orchid-shaped fingers pointing toward Hanzhou. "Since we are revisiting old ground tonight, why not reflect on those memories of the past? No matter, no matter. Just watch as I take the stage and see how I turn these tides of fate!"