Tao Mian ntioned in the villa that he wanted to make a "promise" with Rong Zheng.
Rong Zheng had pestered him more than once to ask about the content of the promise, but he always skillfully avoided the topic, never revealing anything.
This made Little Hua unhappy, and she said Little Tao was being deceitful.
Tao Mian simply said the ti was not right.
When would the right ti co?
During her ti on Peach Blossom Mountain, Rong Zheng never forgot the mission she carried on her shoulders.
She would banter with the Immortal, chatting about trivial matters, chopping wood, and cooking als. Tao Mian said these were the things his disciple should do, and to better fit his image of a "disciple," Rong Zheng took on many chores voluntarily.
Most of the ti they spent together, Tao Mian would lie on a deck chair basking in the sun, while Rong Zheng diligently did the chores, never forgetting to chatter with him.
She was observing the Immortal, and the Immortal was observing her.
Over ti, Rong Zheng thought Tao Mian's guard against his disciples wasn't very high. After all, when he ntioned his previous disciples, he inadvertently talked about many indulgences.
Perhaps the Immortal didn't see it as indulgence, but to Rong Zheng, Tao Mian truly cherished his disciples with all his heart, treating them exceptionally well.
Of course, sincerity begets sincerity. Tao Mian's disciples, even if they abandoned everything, would never bring worldly troubles here, remaining forever loyal to the mountain.
But Rong Zheng ca to the mountain with ulterior motives.
As she gradually gained Tao Mian's trust, she began to slowly implent her plan.
She dared not take big steps, only probing cautiously.
The "Immortal's Drunk" she carried was a poison given to her by Du Hong, obtained from who knows where, but he claid it was effective against immortals.
Tao Mian had a habit of drinking wine and tea, so she would add a small amount each ti.
Initially, Rong Zheng added five drops, then four, three, two...
The longer she stayed on Peach Blossom Mountain, the harder it beca for her to continue.
She knew Tao Mian was good to his disciples, and she was also Tao Mian's disciple, so he was good to her.
She had once thought that as long as the Immortal died, she would be free forever, no longer needing to harm others.
But this last task seed insurmountable to her now.
Tao Mian seed unaware of anything, never taking any action.
Then one day, as Rong Zheng routinely brewed tea for her Shi Fu, routinely adding a drop of "Immortal's Drunk," Tao Mian drank it, his face turned pale, and he vomited a mouthful of blood on the spot.
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Rong Zheng was so frightened she froze.
"Little, Little Tao?"
Her left hand trembled, and the teapot fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
Tao Mian could no longer support himself, leaning on the stone table, coughing incessantly.
"Little Tao!"
Rong Zheng hurriedly knelt beside the stone table, reaching out to check his pulse.
The Immortal's pulse was in chaos, and Rong Zheng's hand felt as if it had been burned. She took out her usual dicine pouch from her bosom, filled with dicines for treating internal and external injuries.
"Little Tao, hold on, I'll find a way to save you..."
Bottles and jars scattered all over the ground, Rong Zheng's hands trembled as she searched for an antidote.
But there was no antidote for Immortal's Drunk.
Her heart felt empty, not thinking about finally completing the last task and fleeing far away.
She thought about how yet another person who was good to her was hard by her.
Rong Zheng's eyes reddened, her strength drained, kneeling on the ground, almost helplessly about to cry.
Kites don't shed tears, but Little Hua would be sad, would feel sorrow.
She couldn't go back to being a kite, nor could she beco Little Hua.
She was nothing.
...
A fluffy foxtail grass appeared in her blurred vision, tickling her forehead, making her itch.
Rong Zheng lifted her tear-filled eyes, only to find the person who had just been vomiting blood was now smiling at her.
His clothes were clean, and the stone table was spotless.
There was no trace of the terrifying red blood.
"...Little Tao?"
Tao Mian lifted the tip of the foxtail grass, twirling it between his fingers, the heavy green fluff swaying left and right.
"You're... okay?"
"You used Immortal's Drunk."
Tao Mian propped his head with one hand, showing a helpless expression.
"If it were another poison, I might have lost my life. But that Immortal's Drunk recipe accidentally leaked from to the mortal world. It was originally just ant to cause hallucinations, but sohow, it spread as sothing that could kill an immortal. Rumors are truly terrifying."
Tao Mian clicked his tongue twice, sighing.
An elaborate sche turned into a farce.
Rong Zheng's gaze was blank, her eyes filling with more and more moisture.
She suddenly lowered her head, not wanting Tao Mian to see her expression.
But Tao Mian, ever the nuisance, bent over to look at her even when she bowed her head.
"Really crying?"
"…"
Rong Zheng was choked by his teasing, unable to cry for a mont.
She suddenly adjusted her posture, from kneeling to bowing her head to kowtow.
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't knock your head like that, it'll shorten my lifespan."
Tao Mian hurriedly helped her up.
Rong Zheng shook her head.
"Since my tricks have been exposed, I have no right to stay. This kowtow is to repay your previous kindness, the rest is up to you, whether to kill or punish."
"Do all assassins talk like this? Always life and death," Tao Mian complained, waving his hand, "If I wanted your life, I would have acted the first day you poisoned . Besides, why would I want your life? That would only harm my own cultivation."
Immortals were not inclined to do such self-damaging things.
"You ca alone to Peach Blossom Mountain, taking great risks to kill an immortal, surely soone promised you sothing.
Instead of seeking them, trust . Tell what you desire, and I'll help you achieve it."
"…"
Rong Zheng hesitated a bit, Tao Mian saw through it, deliberately acting angry.
"What, am I, an immortal who has lived for thousands of years, not trustworthy? Let tell you, I'm quite capable, I know everything."
Rong Zheng's fingers unconsciously twisted together.
"Little Tao, why would you help ? Although I joined your sect, my intentions were not pure..."
"I already said," Tao Mian sighed, "I want to make a promise with you. You tell your wish, and I'll help you achieve it. Then, you must agree to do sothing for ."
"I, I still don't understand. Little Tao, why did you bring up the 'promise' now, when you wouldn't talk about it no matter how I asked before?"
"Because now is the right ti."
Tao Mian, mysteriously, revealed the "promise," but wouldn't explain why now was the "right ti."
He said he would explain, but not now.
Now, he wanted to hear what Rong Zheng desired.
"Alright," after hesitating for a long ti, Rong Zheng finally made up her mind, "What I desire are three items. One is the Bone-Illuminating Mirror, two is the Jade-Hiding Altar, and three is the Snow-Embroidered Sword. I only need these three, and then I will fulfill the promise with Little Tao."
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