Volume Two, Chapter Six: Still Tears

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How he had managed to ascend, Bing could no longer recall. He sat on the edge of the well, lost and distraught, one hand cradling the lotus flower, the other holding its stem. He Lingchi plopped onto the ground, while Jin Guishan and Qi Yuanxiao both lowered their heads. Xiaoyao's eyes burned with fury. The lotus flower had bloomed, yet no seeds had formed, and its multicolored petals were visibly fading.

"Is there any way?" Bing gazed pitifully at Xiaoyao.

"Sigh..." Xiaoyao shook his head.

"But Miss Zhao..." Bing was on the verge of tears. He desperately pressed the lotus flower and stem together, trying with all his strength to reconnect them, but it was to no avail.

"Stop tormenting it! There's no way to reattach them! Besides, the root isn't damaged. In a few years, it will bloom and bear seeds again," Xiaoyao hastily consoled him.

"A few years? By then, Miss Zhao will have faded into nothingness!" Bing kept his head down, still trying.

"Brother Jin, go find something to tie them with!" Bing suddenly looked up. Jin Guishan paused, seeing the tears in Bing's eyes. Though he knew it was futile, he began searching, but in the muddy swamp, there was nothing suitable.

"Use this!" He Lingchi hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket.

"Yes, yes..." Bing nodded, quickly grasping the junction of the lotus and stem with one hand, freeing the other to take the handkerchief.

"Ah..." He Lingchi stared at Bing in terror.

"What..." Bing hadn't finished his sentence when he realized what had startled He Lingchi. His body was glowing again—and not in the water! A bright spot emerged from his chest, traveling swiftly down his arm toward the hand holding the lotus and stem. It flickered, danced, spun once on Bing's hand, then slid abruptly to his fingertip. Instantly, a dazzling radiance burst forth!

After a long moment, everyone slowly made out what had happened. The tear was gone without a trace, and Bing's body no longer shone.

Bing's lips trembled incessantly.

"Whose tear was that..." He Lingchi broke the silence first.

"Wow..." Xiaoyao stared in disbelief at the lotus flower—it had become radiant again.

Bing nervously loosened his grip, and indeed, the lotus was seamlessly joined to the stem, as if it had never been broken! The lotus gently twisted, circling Bing, as if scrutinizing him.

"...Thank you for saving me! If I hadn't been so heavy, you wouldn't have..." Bing stammered in confusion.

"How do you know it saved you?" Xiaoyao muttered. The lotus immediately turned, facing Xiaoyao directly. Xiaoyao froze, thinking, "Oh no, even the lotus has gained sentience!"

Seeing Xiaoyao roll his eyes in silence, the lotus turned back to Bing, staring intently. The oppressive stillness made everyone feel short of breath. Then, the waters parted, and the lotus slowly retreated, finally resting quietly on the surface.

"It's about to bear seeds..." Xiaoyao said, moving Bing to the side.

Streams of light rose from each petal—multicolored petals, multicolored radiance—gradually weaving together, merging into a vibrant sphere. The sphere grew larger, and when it enveloped the lotus, it suddenly erupted in brilliance; all the petals seemed to scatter like wind-blown leaves, vanishing instantly into the air, leaving only a seed-filled lotus pod!

"Great Immortal..." Bing pleaded mournfully.

"I will do my best..." Xiaoyao assured him.

"Please! Without these seeds, Miss Zhao will be lost forever!" Bing said, tears streaming.

Xiaoyao said nothing more, stretching his mouth to take the seeds. Rather than wasting time here, it was better to ask the lotus's master for help. But Xiaoyao bit at nothing—the seeds were insubstantial, visible but untouchable, like phantoms.

"Hey, what do you mean by this?" Xiaoyao snapped at the lotus. The hell lotus tilted its pod, as if looking at Bing.

"Me..." Bing pointed at himself, and to his surprise, the pod bent downward. Bing glanced at Xiaoyao, who wore a sullen expression and kept silent, so Bing cautiously stepped forward and reached for the seeds—his hand closed easily around them.

"It wishes to give them to you; I have no say!" Seeing Bing look helplessly at him, Xiaoyao offered with resignation. He then tried to take the remaining six, but again grasped nothing.

"Hey, what is this... Sigh..." Xiaoyao understood the lotus's intent and sighed deeply.

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Bing had no choice but to reach out again, quickly gathering the remaining six seeds.

"Great Immortal, one is enough for me! Please return the other six!" Bing said, offering them to Xiaoyao. Xiaoyao was deeply moved—at least this could lessen his punishment—but when he tried, he again found nothing.

"Sigh... Forget it." Xiaoyao had lost all temper now. The lotus clearly intended to give them all to Bing; perhaps it was retribution for his neglect, which had allowed the lotus to suffer at the hands of the three golden toads.

"Lotus, oh lotus, the Great Immortal is a good person! I only need one..." Bing hadn't finished when another burst of light appeared before him.

Amazingly, seven more seeds emerged!

"Hahaha... I've been too narrow-minded! Too narrow-minded!" Xiaoyao laughed in embarrassment. This time, when he tried, each seed fell into his mouth. The lotus bowed slightly to Xiaoyao, then sank beneath the surface; the water in the well instantly became pitch-black.

"Great Immortal?" Bing looked at the seeds in his hand, then at Xiaoyao. Xiaoyao nodded and took flight, still remembering the three golden toads, gripping them in one claw. Frogs croaked overhead as he soared away.

Once Xiaoyao was gone, Bing and the others sat down, exchanging weary, rueful smiles.

"Brother Jin, take all these seeds—save Miss Zhao!" Bing handed over the seven seeds.

"One is enough!" Jin Guishan took a single seed, saying, "This is the lotus's gift; it's best not to waste it." He nodded to Bing, just as Xiaoyao had. Such precious things, given so freely, must have a deeper meaning.

Thus, Bing accepted them. He took out his uncle's pill pouch, placed the remaining six seeds inside, and hung it around his neck. He Lingchi burst out laughing, and Jin Guishan and Qi Yuanxiao couldn't help but chuckle. It was obvious—Bing's neck was so thick the pouch wasn't hanging, but choking him, buried deep in the flesh.

"Why are you laughing?" Bing scratched his head in confusion.

"Brother Mu, great kindness needs no thanks! We'll not stand on ceremony. We wish to bid farewell and hurry back to save our junior sister!" Jin Guishan quickly changed the subject.

"Yes, yes, saving Miss Zhao is most important!" Bing jumped upright.

"Once she's safe, we'll visit Baodun to offer our thanks!" Jin Guishan clutched the seed tightly.

"Brother Jin, I still worry! Maybe..." Bing reached for the pouch around his neck.

"Brother Mu, rest assured! Master said that with just one seed, our junior sister will be fine!" He Lingchi hurried to comfort him.

"Good, good..." Bing nodded repeatedly, but his face was still full of worry. Jin Guishan smiled, pulling out two bamboo dragonflies.

"Brother Mu, I have two bamboo dragonflies. One I keep, one you keep. When our junior sister is safe, mine will fly to yours wherever you are, bringing news."

"Really?! Wonderful!" Bing eagerly accepted the bamboo dragonfly.

"Alright! Let us part here—until we meet again!" Jin Guishan bowed in farewell.

"Until we meet again!" Bing returned the gesture.

He watched Jin Guishan and the others disappear into the distance, only when even their shadows were gone did Bing drag himself toward the Five-Colored Cave. His mind was filled with worry for the plump girl, and whether the seed would suffice. Only upon leaving Peach Marsh did he realize it was better to return and report, and consult his uncle for reassurance. He immediately sprinted off at full speed.

With previous experience, Bing dashed straight into the Five-Colored Cave.

"I guessed it would be you!" Before Bing had even steadied his feet, Senior Sister Mutong was already waiting at the mountain gate.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Mutong!" Bing bowed hurriedly.

"Senior Sister said a guest would arrive—turns out it’s this big Bing!" Mo Yan, just running out, laughed.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Mo Yan!" Bing's face flushed crimson.

"Brother Mu, what’s the rush?" Mutong asked, her expression blank.

"Reporting, Senior Sister, by order of our uncle, I’ve come to fetch some clothing for her..." Bing paused awkwardly, scratching his head. "I was delayed in the marsh, so I’m a bit anxious!"

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"Oh, I see. Come in!" Mutong nodded and turned toward the main hall.

"Yes!" Bing hurried after her.

"Hey, little chubby, why hasn’t my master returned yet?" Mo Yan mimicked Daoist Xifeng’s voice, startling Bing, who quickly replied, "Oh, the Ban Yue Mound is leaderless, so she intends to stay for a few days!"

"So we don’t need to guard here anymore?!" Mo Yan raised her eyebrows.

"Hehe, well..." Bing laughed awkwardly.

Upon entering the main hall, Bing saw Feixue and Chengyan already waiting, but Senior Sister Biyi was nowhere to be seen.

"Tell us about Ban Yue Mound," Mutong said, inviting everyone to sit.

"Where’s Senior Sister Biyi?" Bing finally blurted out.

"She was here just now," Feixue said, glancing back.

"I hear you’ve raised a bunch of demons?" Mo Yan suddenly asked. Mutong shot her a glare, but Mo Yan had already spoken, so she just stuck out her tongue.

"Yes! A rabbit, a fox, a turtle—they’ve all helped me a lot..." Bing replied nonchalantly. Everyone stared at him in curiosity.

"No need to mention the rabbit! It’s all because of Uncle—you all know that! As for the fox..." Seeing their interest, Bing swallowed and began his tale.

Mutong and the others listened silently, engrossed. The five rarely left, spending their days in cultivation; today, with a chatterbox regaling them with tales of the mundane world, it was a rare delight. Bing was no fool; the dubious stories he glossed over, focusing only on the amusing ones.

When Bing recounted being chased by Lord Jade Face, Biyi happened to enter. Bing immediately extolled Biyi’s heroism in saving him, as if without her, he’d already be dead. Biyi couldn’t help but laugh.

"Hey, little fatty, what's wrong?" Seeing Bing staring blankly, Mo Yan called out anxiously.

"Oh... and then..." Bing’s round face turned crimson. Mutong frowned.

Half an hour later, Bing finally finished recounting the entire ordeal. Though he was parched, everyone else still looked eager for more. The awkward silence was suddenly broken by a gurgling sound; everyone burst out laughing, making Bing hastily clutch his stomach in embarrassment.

"Go fetch him something to eat!" Mutong laughed, instructing Chengyan. Chengyan, barely stifling her laughter, went to the back hall.

"The red sparrow is better off destroyed!" Feixue, who had frowned throughout, finally spoke.

"Uncle says it won’t survive!" Bing quickly replied.

"Good!" Feixue nodded. "You never know with these monsters—they may lose their cultivation, but who knows what evil arts they’ll pick up to harm people again!"

"Yes, that fox spirit must have harmed countless people!" Mo Yan seemed more concerned about Meiniang.

"...She has mended her ways..." Bing’s voice was noticeably weak.

"Will those she harmed ever live again?" Mo Yan pouted.

Bing paused in confusion.

"Alright! Since Master spared them, she must have her reasons! Besides, their powers are gone, right?" Mutong hurried to say.

Just then, Chengyan returned with a plate of pastries. Bing’s eyes widened; as soon as the plate was set down, he devoured them with astonishing speed, leaving nothing behind. The others were so amazed their jaws dropped.

"Go... go... get more!" Mutong stammered in shock.

Seeing a trace of disgust flash across Biyi’s face, Bing’s heart suddenly grew cold.