I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

"My loyalty to Ah Xi is as clear as day."

"Come on, even the sun and moon have illusory appearances, let alone words."

Although the artist despised her brother's habit of making oaths at the drop of a hat, they were still family and shared some common ideas, so it wasn't difficult for her to guess some of her brother's thoughts.

"You still haven't told me what you want me to do."

The artist continued by asking the same question.

She never understood why her brothers and sisters had come to find her.

Even if she finds out about the little fool's arrogant behavior, how will it affect their relationship?

"October 11th."

Her brother looked at her and then poured her a cup of tea.

"Don't blame your brother for not thinking of you; it's just that the situation forced me to."

"what?"

Xi was somewhat dissatisfied. They were all family, and this guy was still spouting riddles. Had he never been beaten before?

"in short."

Her elder brother revealed to her the plan that had been discussed by all the brothers and sisters.

"In that case..."

The artist hesitated, unsure whether to do it. He then tossed aside his brush and paper.

"Don't hesitate, it's October 1st."

Her brother interrupted her thoughts and forced her to make a choice.

"If we get together now, it will only cause a devastating blow to Ah Xi's plans."

"Let's save both the reunion and the greetings for after the plan is finished!"

"That's not necessarily a bad thing."

The painter looked at his elder brother, then took out his brush.

"But you have to tell me everything that has happened to him over the years."

"Sigh... fine too."

The elder brother glanced at his brothers and sisters standing silently to the side and sighed helplessly.

He's not very good at storytelling... I hope the audience won't misunderstand Ah Xi's heartwarming growth story as a chronicle of an evil dragon.

"..."

"And so, the adorable little boy turned into a stern-faced, unsmiling dragon."

The elder brother told his sister about some of the key points he thought were Ah Xi's behavior over the years.

"He lives such a frugal life... Ah, that's just his nature."

The painter looked at his elder brother and showed him the portrait he had drawn based on his brother's description.

Is that how it is?

"It's very close. I must say, no wonder he's called Eleven. His ability to draw from words is truly remarkable."

Looking at the figure in the painting, which differed from the real dragon in only a few details, the elder brother couldn't help but praise his younger sister.

"I understand everything now."

The painter put away the painting and then looked at his elder brother.

"But what if I insist on waiting for him here?"

What else can we do to you?

The older brother looked at his younger sister with a hint of envy in his eyes.

"With Ah Xi protecting you, what can we do to you? We can only kindly advise you to leave."

He looked at his sister and sighed softly:

Why is it that all the hard work I've put into being around you for over a decade can't compare to the short two years you've spent with me?

"How would I know? If you want to know, go ask him yourself."

The artist spoke nonchalantly, but her tail, which was wagging uncontrollably, betrayed her happiness.

"I can go with you, but I want to leave something here. In case that fool comes here and leaves empty-handed."

Although he learned from his brother that the fool was indeed searching for his information, the artist wanted to leave something behind before leaving, to put his mind at ease and to give him more time to prepare for the ultimate great achievement.

"Yes, but not too much."

His elder brother had come to ask for outside help to subdue the demons. If he were to leave behind too many things that caused A-Xi to fail in his grand plan, how could he face A-Xi?

"Not much, just one painting."

The painter placed the painting he had already completed on the stone table in the pavilion and looked at his elder brother.

"Aren't we setting off yet?"

"Wait a little longer. Let me finish this cup of tea. This tea was a gift from Ah Xi. It wasn't easy to get it."

"Wait a little longer, it will be dark soon."

"Sigh, let's go then."

■

"Let's go then."

Bai Zhou, carrying Nian, left the town in a carriage. Swaying and rocking with the pack animals, the two headed towards Mount Tai.

"Um……"

The immortal was leaning against him, taking a nap with his eyes half-closed.

"News has arrived."

Bai Zhou raised his hand, and a golden eagle landed on his shoulder.

It's a letter from Kal'tsit.

During the day, I opened the letter and read it slowly.

[Your letter has been read. I am most pleased that Your Highness is in good health.]

The letter began with the most ordinary greetings, but as he read through it more thoroughly during the day, his expression subtly changed. Finally, at the very end, he discovered Kal'tsit's personal request.

【I wonder where Your Highness is. May I go and see for myself? If Your Highness is willing, please inform me of the location and time so as not to miss the opportunity to meet you.】

Kal'tsit is coming to see him!

The young man was astonished, his shock mingled with an overwhelming joy.

A close friend's visit is far better than slaying any demons or eating countless bowls of rice.

"Kal'tsit, Kal'tsit."

Kal'tsit, whom we haven't seen in a long time.

Bai Zhou clutched the letter tightly.

Ah, he misses Kal'tsit so much.

His dearest friend, his confidante, Kal'tsit.

I just don't know where Kal'tsit is now.

He couldn't write well in the car, but he didn't care about that during the day and just kept writing diligently.

I wonder how Kal'tsit has been all these years, how many identities she's had, and whether she's gained or lost weight.

Oh, there's one more thing.

Bai Zhou thought of his promise to her.

Those who break the agreement will be punished by having to lick the seashells.

"Kal'tsit, Kal'tsit, I wonder if you are ready?"

Thinking this, Bai Zhou put the reply he had written into the eagle's body and released it high into the sky.

On my forty-second visit to Mount Tai, I rediscovered my calligraphy.

"It smells so good! What are we having for dinner tonight?"

Nian woke up to the scent of fragrance.

When she woke up, she saw a plate full of fragrant scallion pancakes.

"Oh! Why are we having pancakes today?"

"I just happened to see it on my way back, so I bought some."

During the day, he set out the bowls and chopsticks for Nian, and also prepared soup and sauce for her.

"Sigh, this pancake..."

Nian frowned slightly as he looked at the largest pancake on top.

"This pancake is big, but its appearance... it doesn't look very appealing."

The pancake I saw that year didn't just look bad, it looked absolutely terrible.

Although the flour used was the same as that used for the other pancakes, it seems that the chef did not do a good job when spreading the dough. Although he spread it into an exaggerated shape, the appearance of this pancake was crooked and looked very ugly compared to the other pancakes.

"Hey, Xiaobai, this one's for you."

Nian decisively handed it to Bai Zhou, and then took the pancake underneath it for himself.

"Wow! This chewy texture...this scallion flavor..."

Take a big bite and you'll taste the aroma of noodles and scallion oil.

"Really delicious."