Before he could piece together where he had seen him before, the man named Zhongli had already stepped forward.
Xingqiu had no time to think further and hurriedly offered a respectful bow.
"Greetings, Mr. Zhongli."
The man in elegant attire seemed unconcerned by such formalities and gave a slight nod.
"There is no need. These are trivial matters."
"How could that be?" The Feiyun patriarch scolded halfway through, then quickly switched to a flattering smile.
"It's my son's fault for being ignorant of your visit. I hope you won't mind taking a moment to look him over as well."
Zhongli inclined his head slightly. His eyes—shimmering with restrained wisdom—studied Xingqiu for a brief moment before he spoke in praise.
If nothing went awry, with such a son, the Feiyun Commerce Guild would prosper without worry for at least three generations.
The patriarch's face instantly lit up with joy, clearly convinced this appraisal would one day come true.
Meanwhile, Xingqiu's somewhat plain-looking elder brother showed no hint of jealousy—only a mild smile as he watched the exchange.
With the evaluation complete, Zhongli turned back to the patriarch.
"As for what we discussed earlier, please ensure it is prepared properly."
"No problem at all. It will be delivered to your residence within the agreed time."
With that reply, the meeting concluded smoothly.
Only then did the Feiyun patriarch wipe the smile from his face and look at Xingqiu more sternly.
"Now tell me—where did you run off to this time? Explain everything in detail. Otherwise, you'll be confined for several days."
Faced with his father, Xingqiu could only sigh inwardly.
He obediently explained how he had gone to buy books, only to be captivated by a storyteller along the way.
The patriarch frowned throughout the tale.
But when Xingqiu mentioned that the legend had been corrected by someone from the crowd, realization suddenly struck him.
He finally remembered where he had felt that familiar aura before—it was the man he had met earlier that day.
Mr. Luo Li.
If Mr. Zhongli warranted such solemn respect from his father, then surely Mr. Luo Li's background was also far from ordinary.
With that thought, Xingqiu spoke up immediately.
"Speaking of which, Father, I encountered a remarkable person today."
"A remarkable person?" The patriarch frowned, clearly unimpressed.
"Where would so many remarkable people come from? It's already fortunate enough that I managed to meet one."
Xingqiu was slightly dissatisfied with his father's dismissive tone.
Despite appearing carefree, he did take serious matters seriously.
Besides, true heroes never left their names behind—weren't all great swordsmen in novels like that?
They came and went like the wind, leaving no trace.
That was precisely the life Xingqiu longed for.
He had no desire to inherit the Feiyun Commerce Guild. Let his elder brother shoulder that responsibility.
"The man I met was called Mr. Luo Li," Xingqiu said earnestly.
"He was extraordinarily familiar with ancient history. Everything he said sounded as though he had witnessed it himself—it was truly awe-inspiring."
Hearing this, the patriarch frowned in thought.
"Luo Li? I've never heard of such a name."
He was just about to suspect his son had been deceived and reprimand him—
When Zhongli, who had been preparing to leave, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He turned around and fixed Xingqiu with a gaze laden with indescribable meaning.
The patriarch immediately swallowed his scolding words and asked politely,
"Mr. Zhongli, is there something else?"
"No," Zhongli replied slowly.
"I merely wish to ask—who is this Luo Li your son mentioned?"
Xingqiu's eyes lit up.
"Could it be that Mr. Zhongli knows Mr. Luo Li?"
"I once knew someone by that name," Zhongli said quietly.
"But I do not know if he is the same person you speak of."
His thoughts drifted into memory, and the sense of age and vicissitude surrounding him deepened.
Over several thousand years, old friends had returned to the ley lines one by one.
Looking back now, there were only one or two who could still stand beside him.
He had personally witnessed that man fall into the abyss—
an inescapable calamity.
And yet, upon hearing his name again, hope stirred uncontrollably within his heart.
How many years had it been?
His once-unshakable state of mind rippled once more, and that long-lost turbulence filled him with joy
joy that he himself had not yet been worn down completely.
Hearing this, Xingqiu was about to describe Luo Li's appearance without hes itationthen suddenly paused.
"Huh… that's strange. I can't quite remember what he looked like."
He scratched his head, feeling as though his memories were shrouded in mist.
It was clearly someone he had just met—yet recalling his features proved impossible.
Finding it bizarre, Xingqiu could only describe Luo Li's attire and aura instead.
Zhongli frowned slightly. Clothing alone was far from enough to confirm anything.
But then Xingqiu mentioned a crucial detail.
"Oh, right—there was also a stunning woman beside him. She wore a kimono and had braided hair. Her beauty was otherworldly—I didn't even dare look for long."
Zhongli's heart stirred. He asked as if confirming something:
"Did she have violet hair and eyes, a wisteria flower pinned in her hair?
Her temperament gentle yet distant, and the ends of her braid slightly loose?"
Xingqiu thought carefully, then nodded in astonishment.
"Exactly as you described."
Zhongli fell silent.
Just as the Feiyun patriarch was about to ask what was going on, he was shocked to see
The usually calm and indifferent Mr. Zhongli was actually smiling.
"Heh… how interesting," Zhongli chuckled softly.
"That fellow actually escaped death. This truly is joyous news."
"To know that an old friend may yet be met again—my heart is greatly comforted."
Though it wasn't loud laughter, to the patriarch it was already astonishing.
In all the time he had known Zhongli, he had never once seen him show such emotion.
Xingqiu narrowed his eyes.
"So, Mr. Zhongli, you really do know him?"
"Naturally," Zhongli replied.
"One could say he is an old friend of many years. I must thank you for bringing me this news."
Xingqiu hurriedly waved his hands.
"There's no need for thanks. If the chance arises, please introduce me to Mr. Luo LiI have many questions I wish to ask him."
Zhongli considered briefly, then nodded.
"That is no trouble. But whether he is willing to meet you, I cannot guarantee.
That one follows his whims—no one can predict his intentions."
Xingqiu quickly replied,
"Of course. If fate does not permit it, I would not force the matter."
"Very well. Then I shall take my leave."
With a slight nod, Zhongli concluded the conversation and departed the Feiyun Commerce Guild under the gazes of the three men.
Long after he had gone, they faintly heard the sound of poetry drifting from afar.
"I would buy osmanthus wine and ride together once more
The day old friends meet again may not be far off."
A gentle smile curved Zhongli's lips as he clasped his hands behind his back and gazed into the distance.
"If that is the case, then even after laying down this body bound by a 3,700-year contract,
I shall still have old friends with whom to drink tea and stroll with birds."
"No longer so dull… very good. Very good indeed."