Chapter 12: The Neighbor
The next morning, Chen Chang'an stood before the bronze mirror, uncharacteristically meticulous in arranging his clothing. He had changed into a plain long robe, fastened at the waist with an indigo belt, and bound his hair with a wooden hairpin. The overall effect made him look far more spirited than usual.
"Father, handsome!" Chen Xingcai, holding her little cloth bear, tilted her head at the doorway, her eyes sparkling.
Chen Chang'an turned, rubbing his daughter's head. "You're still so young—what do you know about handsome?"
"But you just look very handsome…" she muttered softly, sticking out her tongue before turning to run off.
Shaking his head, Chen Chang'an took out the chessboard and pieces he had prepared the previous night. The chessboard was made from an unknown type of wood, its surface smooth as a mirror, with simple cloud patterns carved along its edges. The pieces, crafted from river pebbles, were all smooth and round—black stones dark as ink, white stones like jade—stored neatly in a small cloth pouch.
"Father, I'm ready!" Chen Xingcai's voice called from the courtyard.
Chen Chang'an put away the gift and stepped outside. His daughter had also dressed up specially today, her hair tied into two small braids, wearing a bright red dress that made her look especially lively.
"Let's go." Chen Chang'an extended his hand.
Happily hopping along, Chen Xingcai took her father's hand, and the two made their way along the mountain path toward Xiaohei master's cave dwelling.
Turning past a mountain ridge, they came upon a residence hidden deep within the forest.
In front of the cave entrance grew several shrubs blooming with red flowers, with a small stream flowing past. Last time they had come and gone in a hurry, but now he noticed the surroundings were serene and elegant.
"We're here!" Chen Xingcai released her father's hand excitedly and ran ahead. "Xiaohei master!"
Chen Chang'an was about to follow when a light breeze brushed past. A figure appeared out of thin air on the open ground before the cave.
Even though this was his second time seeing her, Chen Chang'an couldn't help but be struck once again.
The figure was dressed in a black gauze robe that shifted gently with her breathing. A crimson silk sash cinched her already graceful figure to an even more striking degree. Her long hair, dark as ink, was neither bound nor tied, cascading loosely down to her waist, its tips still carrying pink petals from passing through a peach blossom grove during the night.
She lifted a hand to tuck a stray lock behind her ear, revealing a tiny dark mole at the corner of her eye. On anyone else, it might have seemed like a flaw, but here, it was as if a master painter had deliberately added the final touch to a beauty portrait—three parts proud, seven parts charming.
When she lifted her gaze, that tiny mole moved ever so slightly, as though the ink dot on a piece of xuan paper had suddenly come alive.
Chen Chang'an's steps halted abruptly.
Those eyes… no—rather, that gaze.
The last time he saw her, her eyes had been closed. Now that they were open, he felt as though he had seen them somewhere before.
On the other side, Xiaohei master—now revealed as the black-robed woman—was also visibly taken aback. Looking at Chen Chang'an, her body unconsciously tensed.
"He's gotten stronger…"
They stood facing each other at the cave entrance, the air heavy with a strange silence.
"Xiaohei master! This is my father!" Chen Xingcai, oblivious to the odd atmosphere, cheerfully introduced them. "Father, this is Xiaohei master!"
"An… an honor to meet you." Chen Chang'an finally came back to his senses. This was the time to visit his daughter's teacher, and he felt slightly awkward as he spoke stiffly.
Those eyes looked more and more familiar the longer he gazed at them, but he could not place where he had seen them before. Perhaps a movie star from his past life, he comforted himself inwardly.
"No need for such formality, fellow Daoist," the black-robed woman said, her voice also sounding somewhat tense. "Xingcai often speaks of you."
Silence settled between them again.
Perhaps it was an illusion, but Chen Chang'an felt as if she was… wary of him?
Did he really look so much like a villain? He had always thought he looked rather decent. The thought left him a little dispirited.
No—he couldn't retreat here.
"Well…" Chen Chang'an forced himself to break the silence. "I came today to pay my respects and thank you for teaching my daughter. This is a small token of appreciation." As he spoke, he brought out the chessboard and pieces from his robe.
Her eyes instinctively fell on the chessboard, and her pupils suddenly contracted.
She accepted it, running her fingers lightly over its surface, her body giving a faint shudder.
"This… this is…" her voice trembled slightly.
Chen Chang'an thought she disliked it and quickly explained, "This is just something I made myself. The pieces are polished river stones, so they might be a bit rough…"
"No, it's… very good." The black-robed woman took a deep breath and carefully put the chessboard away. Her tone seemed to soften as she added, "You've put thought into this, fellow Daoist."
Chen Chang'an let out a small breath of relief. It seemed that, no matter the world, the truth that people's hearts soften when they receive something held firm.
Still, her demeanor puzzled him—that mix of wariness, surprise, and a trace of probing, as if there were some secret between them he didn't know about.
Could it be that last time…? A sudden thought flashed in his mind. When he had accidentally trespassed into her home, perhaps she hadn't actually been asleep—maybe she had simply pretended not to notice out of consideration for Xingcai?
So that was why she was so guarded with him now?
The more he thought about it, the more sense it seemed to make.
"About last time…" he began tentatively, already searching for the right words to apologize.
After all, he had been the one in the wrong.
"There's no need to speak further, fellow Daoist," the black-robed woman cut in immediately, lowering her voice. "Since you've recognized me, let's… pretend that matter never happened."
Chen Chang'an blinked.
Recognized her? What did that mean? Did she really remember him trespassing into her cave dwelling?
Still, since it sounded like she didn't intend to pursue the matter, he simply followed her lead. "Naturally. Rest assured, I have no other intentions."
The black-robed woman breathed a sigh of relief. Considering that last fight had left him slightly injured, it was for the best if the past could be let go.
With that thought, her shoulders eased slightly. "That's good."
They exchanged a brief smile, each convinced the other understood their meaning, completely unaware that their words were in fact referring to entirely different matters.
"Xiaohei master, can I bring my father to see your cave dwelling?" Chen Xingcai tugged at her master's sleeve.
"Today may not be convenient." Xiaohei master patted Xingcai's head. "I've just returned from Central Continent, and… things are a bit messy inside."
Central Continent? Chen Chang'an's mind stirred at the mention.
"Chen Daoist," Xiaohei master suddenly said, "since we have the chance to meet today, I should at least tell you my real name. My surname is Ji, given name Hongli."
Ji Hongli. Chen Chang'an silently repeated it twice in his mind.
"So it is Miss Ji—my apologies for the earlier discourtesy." Chen Chang'an gave another polite bow. "I am Chen Chang'an."
"Chen Chang'an…" Ji Hongli repeated softly, her gaze seeming to confirm something once again.
She looked down at the chessboard in her hands, then back at him. "This gift of yours… is far from ordinary."
"Just a little trinket. As long as Miss Ji likes it, that's enough," Chen Chang'an replied modestly.
A flicker of surprise passed through Ji Hongli's eyes. So, the number one on the Heaven Ranking—no wonder. One move, and he brings out a replica of the ancient immortal artifact Starry Array. Though not the genuine article, it already possessed a trace of its divine charm—a rare treasure even in the cultivation world.
They exchanged a few more polite words. Chen Chang'an found that, despite Ji Hongli's cool exterior, her manner of speaking was quite courteous, without the aloofness he had imagined from a reclusive expert.
It seemed not a bad thing for his daughter to be her disciple.
After a while, Chen Chang'an rose to take his leave, feeling the visit had gone smoothly.
But just as father and daughter were about to depart—
"By the way, Xingcai," Ji Hongli suddenly said, "I've found the second volume of that book. Once you finish the first, you can come to me for the next."
"What book?" Chen Chang'an's ears perked immediately.
He completely failed to notice the cold sweat breaking out over Xingcai's small head…
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