The three of them were still feeling a little guilty about disappearing without saying goodbye.Originally, they thought that he would just feel a little strange for a few days if he could not locate them. What’s more, they weren’t even that close to begin with. All they did was to accompany him around. They had not expected Zuo Shuming to get so anxious. Not only did he activate the entire sect to look for them, he also had intentions of asking them to spread out even further outside of the sect to do so. The longer he searched, the more anxious he became. He looked like he would not rest until he found them.

　　In order not to affect his training, Lonemoon decided that they had to inform him of their noble plan to defeat the invader… No, he had to counsel him about it. Thus, early the next morning, he stopped a certain someone at the exit.

　　“Two Bucks… Fellow Daoist Zuo!”

　　Zuo Shuming stared blankly at him, then said, “This… Disciple. Good morning. Why are you stopping me?”

　　“I just joined the sect and stay right beside you, that’s why I came over to say hello.” Lonemoon gestured to the neighboring apartment and glanced at the painting in his hand. “Brother Zuo, are you planning to go out?”

　　“That’s right!” He nodded. With a somber expression, he said, “I’m planning to go to the neighboring immortal city to put up these notices.”

　　“Notices?” Lonemoon hesitated. On closer inspection, he saw that there was a line of words next to the painting. In big letters was written: Missing persons!

　　The three of them: “…”

　　He was really determined to find these people. They really could not do anything to help an honest man.

　　Lonemoon pursed his lips and immediately changed the topic. “You’ve been searching for these three people for a long time. Are they your family members?”

　　“No, they aren’t!” Zuo Shuming smiled. “They’re my friends. Come to think of it, I’ve only known them for three days. I came with them to Gui Yi Sect, but for some reason, they disappeared upon arriving here.”

　　“Oh, I see. I guess these people had things to attend to,” Lonemoon soothed him. “What’s more, you’ve only met by chance. Brother Zuo, maybe you shouldn’t waste too much effort looking for them. It was hard for you to join Gui Yi Sect. You should work hard to cultivate.”

　　“Junior Brother, please do not spout nonsense if you’re not sure of the situation,” Zuo Shuming reprimanded, glaring at him. He looked at Lonemoon disapprovingly as he continued, “They’re my friends. Now that they’re missing, how can I stand by and do nothing? If they’re safe, then that’s good. If they’ve met with danger, and nobody offers any help, what would you expect them to do? If I don’t help to search for them, how can I call myself a friend?”

　　He glared at Lonemoon, as if what he just said shamed him. Careful to emphasize each word, Zuo Shuming continued, “I, Zuo Shuming, am not a small-hearted person. What’s more, I have a favor to repay – they saved my life once.”

　　“…”

　　Since when did they save his life?

　　He was talking about the other time in the dense forest, when they carried him out? They did not go there to specially to save him.

　　“Also…” Zuo Shuming seemed to think of something as his expression turned anxious. “I don’t know if their disappearance has something to do with the fact that they saved me.”

　　Did he really think that they were missing because they had been kidnapped by the person who robbed him the other day? Brother! Your imagination is really good!

　　“I say, Brother Zuo-”

　　“Fellow Daoist.” It was obvious that Zuo Shuming was really angry now. He did not even refer to this man as his junior brother anymore. He continued, “I have matters to attend to. I can’t chat with you any longer.” Throwing Lonemoon one last contemptuous look, he tutted and walked off in a fury.

　　“…” Was he looking down on Lonemoon? He really was, wasn’t he!

　　(⊙v⊙)

　　Zuo Shuming was just about to disappear down the path with his notices in hand when Lonemoon sighed and shouted. “Fellow Daoist Zuo, please wait. I lent you two spirit stones the previous time and you haven’t returned them!”

　　“You lent me spirit stones?” Zuo Shuming stopped and turned around, taking his spirit stone bag out at the same time. He thought for awhile, then poured three spirit stones out of the bag. “I’m sorry – I used my spirit stones to help someone out the last time. I’m only left with three now. Wait until I have…”

　　He trailed off mid-sentence and looked up at the person in front of him, his eyes widening. He finally understood. All the notices he had been holding dropped to the ground at once. “You… You… You are-”

　　“Mm.” Lonemoon nodded. “It’s exactly what you’re thinking!” Thankfully, he was not that stupid. He finally got what Lonemoon was hinting at.

　　Zuo Shuming stared blankly at Lonemoon, not daring to believe his eyes. He tested, “Are you really-”

　　“Yes!”

　　“You’re… Lady Shen?”

　　Lonemoon: “…”

　　Shen my ass!

　　Pui…

　　Lonemoon faintly heard two giggles right by his ear. He turned around to glare at the two people who were remaining hidden. Their shoulders were vibrating. “You bastards. Shut up!”

　　He shouted at them through a transmission. He frowned at their still-vibrating backs, as he emitted a cool air. Gritting his teeth, he asked, “How do I look like Shen… Ying?” Are you freaking blind? I dare you to call me Lady once again? Can’t you tell a man from a woman?

　　“Fellow Daoist… Lonemoon?” Zuo Shuming shivered and changed his guess immediately.

　　Hmph! You recognized me at last!

　　Lonemoon tutted and snatched the three spirit stones from Zuo Shuming’s hands. “Remember – you still owe me one spirit stone.”

　　“Huh? Oh.” It was obvious that Zuo Shuming was still in shock. He nodded toward Lonemoon and scanned the now stranger from head to toe. “Brother Lonemoon, what happened to you?”

　　“It’s a long story…” Lonemoon was ready to conjure a story.

　　“Wait!” Zuo Shuming suddenly shouted, recalling something. He looked around and made sure that there was nobody around them. Then, he stepped aside and said, “Brother Lonemoon, let’s go inside to talk.” He quickly retreated back into his house and closed all the windows before he spoke again. “Brother Lonemoon, how did you disappear?”

　　Lonemoon looked around, then began to make up his story. “Actually, I didn’t really want to join Gui Yi Sect. When I boarded the boat that day, I immediately regretted what I did. That’s when I started to plot my escape.”

　　“I see!” Stupid Zuo believed Lonemoon in a heartbeat. He nodded and said :I told you. It’s the best choice for the three of you to join Tai Yan Sect. It’s normal for you to have second thoughts about joining this sect. Oh that’s right – where’s Lady Shen and Fellow Daoist Yi Qing? Why is it just you over here? And your face – why is it different now?”

　　“I wanted to say… when I left the spirit boat that day, I accidentally disfigured myself. Would you believe that?” Lonemoon asked.

　　“So that’s what happened!” Zuo Shuming obviously bought it. “I was wondering why your cultivation deteriorated as well. So it’s because you were injured. Was it a serious injury? Are you fully recovered? Will it affect your foundation?”

　　Lonemoon: “…”

　　Yi Qing: “…”

　　Shen Ying: “…”

　　You’re actually buying this casually spun story! You’re really a fool, aren’t you!

　　“Then are Lady Shen and Fellow Daoist Yi Qing absent because they have gone back to Tai Yan Sect as well?” Zuo Shuming had automatically come up with a story for the two hidden friends. He even filled up the gap and made up an excuse to explain why Lonemoon had not been accepted into Tai Yan Sect and was forced to return to Gui Yi Sect.

　　Lonemoon scanned Zuo Shuming from head to toe. A moment later, he patted his shoulder comfortingly.

　　“I say, Two Bucks…”

　　“Ah! Huh?” Was Lonemoon calling him “Two Bucks”?

　　“You’re the most simple-minded fool I’ve ever met.” Lonemoon did not even have to put in much effort into lying before Zuo Shuming filled up the gaps on his own. Mm, this was one knowledgeable friend. Oh well, he decided he did not want the remaining one spirit stone anymore.

　　“…”