The Toulong Ceremony began.
Fujin changed into new clothes and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, cast the sacrificial jade into the water. Though it was her first time presiding over the ceremony, she had observed it many times before and was familiar with every step. The villagers followed suit, tossing jade artifacts into the water as well, praying for favorable weather and bountiful harvests in the coming year.
Mu Yang's heart ached at the sight.
Those are all genuine pieces of jade!
You people of Chenyu Vale are seriously wealthy.
After the Toulong Ceremony, Fujin's duties were finally over, and she began leading Mu Yang and the others around the festival. She and Lingyuan walked hand in hand at the front, while Mu Yang and Yaojun trailed behind.
Mu Yang hadn't expected the festival to be so lively. He had thought that, having experienced Earth's food streets, there wasn't much he hadn't seen before. But he had underestimated the villagers of Chenyu Vale and their boundless culinary creativity. Though their level of mechanization was somewhat lacking, their food was anything but. Even Lingyuan, who usually looked down on all things human, was now holding snacks in both hands.
And today, everything at the festival was free—take as much as you wanted, eat as much as you pleased.
Mu Yang's appetite was stirred.
Not that he was particularly gluttonous, but it was all about immersing himself in the festive atmosphere, right?
As he happily indulged, Yaojun, standing beside him, smiled faintly.
"Life here isn't so bad, is it?"
Mu Yang swallowed a large chicken leg slathered in sauce.
"It's really not bad. Looks like our 'Mountain Overlord' is enjoying herself too."
"Why don't you move here, then?" Yaojun suggested.
Mu Yang glanced at Lingyuan.
"I don't mind, but it'll have to wait until she can accept human society and is willing to move in. Someone has to keep her company, after all."
Yaojun nodded, then glanced at a small stall selling jade pendants. The festival had food, games, and even little trinkets. After a moment of thought, she called out to Mu Yang.
"Mu Yang, over here."
"And bring those two along as well."
Mu Yang nodded and did as told, summoning Fujin and Lingyuan over.
The stall owner was an honest-looking craftsman. When he saw these four extraordinary figures—one of whom was the divine maiden who had presided over the Toulong Ceremony—standing before his stall, he was so nervous he could barely speak.
"Uh… Divine Maiden, and you… esteemed Adepti…"
Fujin reassured him.
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Fujin."
"These are all my friends."
The man's tightly clenched palms relaxed slightly. He usually spent his days working in his workshop and had never interacted with such important figures before.
"O-Of course. Please, take your time looking."
Having spent so much time together, the four of them understood Yaojun's intention even without her explaining. In the end, each picked out the jade pendant they liked the most. Normally, they would take turns choosing for one another, but since today symbolized a fresh start, Yaojun suggested placing all four pendants together and letting fate decide who got which.
When Mu Yang drew the one she had picked, Yaojun used her adeptal energy to tie it to his waist.
"There. It suits you."
"Looks good."
"I always felt like something was missing there before. Now it's perfect."
Mu Yang gazed at the jade pendant at his waist and couldn't help but muse inwardly.
Boss, you'd never guess I'd be wearing this for a thousand years, would you?
Fujin suddenly spoke up.
"Alright, we've walked around enough and bought our gifts."
"Isn't it time for a drink?"
Lingyuan asked, "Tea?"
Fujin smiled mysteriously. "Exactly."
Mu Yang and Yaojun exchanged glances and nodded in silent understanding.
Every time Fujin smiles like that, trouble follows.
They found a teahouse and sat down. Fujin enthusiastically recommended,
"The tea cakes here are especially delicious. One bite, and you'll never forget them."
"How good can human-made things really be?"
"You've been stuffing your face this whole time, and now you're still talking tough?"
The teahouse owner was familiar with Fujin and warmly welcomed Mu Yang and the others. Just as Fujin had said, the tea cakes had a unique flavor. Lingyuan shut up after just one bite—then proceeded to shove them into her mouth one after another.
Fujin smirked triumphantly.
Lingyuan wanted to retort, but the food was just too good.
"Fine, fine. I admit it. Human-made things are delicious."
She spoke too quickly and choked.
Fujin patted her back and handed her a cup of tea.
"Geez, no need to eat so fast. Here."
Lingyuan took a sip and frowned.
"This tea tastes different."
"It's a new variety. Do you like it?"
Mu Yang had already noticed Fujin's subtle expression.
This is indeed tea—
Combustible Oolong Tea!
So this is her plan.
No wonder she was grinning like that earlier.
She's trying to get Lingyuan drunk.
Poor Lingyuan. Another day, another time being toyed with by Fujin.
Mu Yang didn't dare stop Fujin.
Let these two play their game—one willing to tease, the other willing to endure.
What Mu Yang didn't know was that he would soon regret this decision.
Fujin kept pouring tea for Lingyuan while feeding her tea cakes. After a while, Lingyuan began swaying unsteadily, clearly drunk.
Fujin immediately stopped and told her they were out of tea and should head home.
The intoxicated Lingyuan clung tightly to Fujin.
"No! I want more!"
Fujin shot Mu Yang and Yaojun a pleading look.
The two shrugged helplessly.
You brought this on yourself.
Fujin's eyes darted around before she relented.
"Alright, alright, you can have as much as you want. I'll go get more, okay?"
Only then did Lingyuan let go.
But Fujin immediately bolted.
Mu Yang's expression darkened.
Oh no.
He stood to chase after her—
But Lingyuan called out to him.
"Mu Yang, am I pretty?"
Mu Yang's face was a picture of confusion.
Huh???
"I asked—am I pretty?"
When Mu Yang didn't answer, Lingyuan raised her voice.
The surrounding crowd turned to look.
Yaojun, standing nearby, watched with amusement.
Mu Yang's mind raced.
What kind of situation is this?!
He decided to play along.
"Yes, you're pretty."
But Lingyuan wasn't done.
"Then who's prettier—me or Yaojun?"
"Pfft—"
Yaojun, who had been enjoying the show, never expected to be dragged into this.
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder.
To Mu Yang, it felt like everyone was staring at him, whispering.
This is unbearable.
It's like walking past village elders during the New Year and being gossiped about.
When Mu Yang still didn't answer, Lingyuan stood up.
"Who's prettier—me or Yaojun?!"
Then, she lunged at him as if to grab him.
Mu Yang sidestepped, then patted Yaojun's shoulder.
"I'll go catch the instigator and bring her back to clean up this mess. You handle things here."
With that, he executed two swift lightfoot techniques and vanished from the scene.
"Hey—! Don't leave me alone with this!"
Lingyuan, having failed to catch Mu Yang, was now hugging a stool and muttering.
"Tell me… who's prettier… me or Yaojun…"
Yaojun tried to pull her away and feed her some sobering medicine, but Lingyuan wouldn't let her near. Using adeptal energy risked making her act out even more, so Yaojun could only stand there, waiting helplessly.
The whispers around her grew louder, and the embarrassment was unbearable.
Gritting her teeth, Yaojun muttered darkly.
"Mu Yang, Fujin… if you two dare not come back… heh heh heh…"