Mo Dao Zu Shi: Astray

Radiant, Part Six

To Meng Xingyao, the Cloud Recesses could not be any more different from Golden Carp Tower.

Deep in the mountains veiled by mist and dotted with grey and white buildings, the Cloud Recesses was modest and quaint.

Engraved with gold at every corner, Golden Carp Tower showed off its splendor without restraint.

Meng Xingyao much preferred the Cloud Recesses to Golden Carp Tower.

And as for Lotus Pier...it was too close to home for comfort.

"Meng-xiushi!" a voice called out.

Meng Xingyao turned around. "Ah! Su-gongzi, yes?"

Su She's eyes widened in surprise. - Yes, Meng Xingyao did remember him.

Meng Xingyao remarked, "Your sword skills were quite brilliant. I am glad that you fought by my side when we faced the water ghosts and the Waterborne Abyss."

Meng Xingyao didn't even have to give a false compliment to Su She as he did for others. He meant what he said.

Su She's eyes brightened and he smiled. "Of course. I too, am glad to have fought alongside you, Meng-xiushi."

Meng Xingyao smiled back and took some loquats out of his pouch. These were from the basket of loquats Pan Wukun received in the infirmary. "Would you like to eat some loquats with me, Su-gongzi? They're the ones sold in Caiyi Town."

For a moment, Su She appeared shocked. No one had ever invited him to eat before. Then his smile returned. "Yes, of course!"

As Meng Xingyao and Su She walked and ate the loquats, they got to know each other more.

"So how long have you been a rogue cultivator, Meng-xiushi?"

"Two years."

Su She gaped. "Two years of wandering around? Without joining a single cultivation sect?"

"I haven't found any cultivation sects to my liking. But I don't mind. Pan Wukun makes pleasant company. And you, Su-gongzi? How long have you been with the GusuLan sect?"

"I've been a disciple of the GusuLan sect since I was a young child. I arrived here from Moling."

"Ah. I myself am from Yunping."

Su She was surprised again. "Yunping? Isn't that in Yunmeng? Didn't you ever try joining YunmengJiang sect?"

"As I said, Su-gongzi, I prefer traveling with Pan Wukun."

Meng Xingyao saw the infirmary in the distance. "Forgive me, Su-gongzi. I must visit Pan Wukun and see if we're ready to continue traveling."

Su She's face fell. "You are leaving soon?"

"I'm afraid so."

Su She sighed. "If only you were a guest disciple, then you could stay longer. But the GusuLan sect's lectures are only ever attended by the young members of prominent sects." He looked at Meng Xingyao with a hopeful expression. "Perhaps we can stay in touch through letters, if you wish, Meng-xiushi..."

"Xingyao. You may call me Xingyao."

Su She blinked at Meng Xingyao in astonishment. Did he really want to associate with a nobody like him? But looking at Meng Xingyao's expression, Su She realized that he was quite serious.

"And you may call me Minshan!"

Su She and Meng Xingyao clasped hands. "Comrades!"

Some bells rang in the distance.