“Because all of us in the Bull Head Squad are nearsighted, you know, when the Mirror of Time is placed among a pile of glass, and it has been in the human world for so long, it’s neither visible nor sensible. Of course, Lao Qi couldn’t find it, and since he was the one who accidentally dropped it, he has to find it himself. That’s why he asked for your help,” said Niu Wu with a shy smile. “I see.” “Yes! That’s how it is!” So, it was for such a simple reason, and here she was guessing all along, how silly of her! Yan Xinmeng silently scolded herself. “Hey? Who is that wooden man? Why is he standing there without moving?” Niu Wu pointed at Shang Bieye and asked. Yan Xinmeng followed the direction of his finger. Ah! Why is Big Brother standing there so blankly? Yan Xinmeng walked over to Shang Bieye and waved her hand in front of his face. “Big Brother? Big Brother?” Yan Xinmeng called softly. Shang Bieye then looked at her as if waking from a dream. “Haha! Don’t look at him, I think I scared him. Really, such a big man, yet so timid,” Niu Wu teased. Shang Bieye gave an awkward smile; even if he was brave, seeing a bull-headed ghost in broad daylight would startle anyone. “Mr. Niu Wu, I was just…” Shang Bieye tried to explain but was interrupted by Niu Wu. “Enough, you don’t need to say anything, I know. Only dead people can see me, and you’re not dead yet you see me, which is indeed unusual, but let’s just say it’s fate! Pretend it never happened, remember, or else you’ll be taken away even if you’re not dead.” Niu Wu threatened. “Brother Niu Wu, why are you scaring him?” Yan Xinmeng stood up for her beloved. “Scare him? I’m just stating the facts,” Niu Wu looked at Yan Xinmeng with an innocent face, “Alright, the person I’m supposed to take is almost here, I must leave.” Seeing Niu Wu in a hurry, Yan Xinmeng quickly picked up the Mirror of Time and asked, “What about this mirror?” “What to do? Keep it with you for now, I’ll tell Lao Qi to come and get it soon. I can’t chat anymore, take care!” Niu Wu waved goodbye to Yan Xinmeng. No sooner had he finished speaking than Niu Wu turned into a puff of smoke, this time not sinking into the ground but drifting out through the door crack. Yan Xinmeng turned back to Shang Bieye, who was looking at her with a serious expression. “Can you tell me now what’s really going on?” Shang Bieye placed a cup of water in front of Yan Xinmeng, “Why does this bull-headed person named Niu Wu appear? And you seem very familiar with them.” Yan Xinmeng thought for a moment, then looked up at Shang Bieye with a serious expression. “Do you believe in past lives?” Past lives? What does that have to do with this? Shang Bieye didn’t understand why she suddenly brought up past lives. He also poured himself a cup of water and sat down. “Actually, in my past life, I was born in the modern era, a girl who had just graduated from university. But I died in a car accident while trying to save a pregnant woman…” Yan Xinmeng recounted slowly. Shang Bieye found it increasingly unbelievable. Why did she sleep for sixteen years after being born? Why could she speak without going through the babbling stage after waking up from a sixteen-year sleep? Why did she draw many unseen patterns at Aunt Qian’s? Why could she explain illnesses that even Wu Yangfeng couldn’t understand? All these questions were answered. Shang Bieye was shocked by these answers, even more than when he saw Niu Wu, because it was truly unbelievable. “Big Brother, now you know, right?” Yan Xinmeng said timidly. “Why didn’t you tell me from the beginning?” Shang Bieye asked slowly, still not fully recovered from the emotional shock. “I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me! Who would believe such a thing, if I said it, people might think I’m crazy.” Yan Xinmeng slumped her shoulders in defeat. True, who would believe such things? If she hadn’t seen the bull-headed ghost with her own eyes, she might have doubted it too. “Big Brother…” Yan Xinmeng was at a loss. “Xinmeng, Big Brother is just momentarily shocked, don’t overthink it,” Shang Bieye comforted her. “Will you tell others about this?” “No, you saw it too, Niu Wu doesn’t allow me to tell anyone, or else my soul would be taken even if I’m not dead.” Shang Bieye made a light-hearted comment, knowing it was better not to talk about such things to avoid being labeled as superstitious. “Big Brother, don’t misunderstand, Brother Niu Wu isn’t that kind of person, he won’t do anything rash.” Yan Xinmeng thought Shang Bieye was worried about Niu Wu harming him, so she hurried to comfort him and clarify for Niu Wu. “Don’t worry, I won’t misunderstand. Alright, don’t think too much about it, just keep the mirror safe. When ‘Brother Niu Qi’ comes, return it to him.” Shang Bieye patted her hand reassuringly. In a grove outside the Black Stockade, under the moonlight, two figures, one tall and one short, could be faintly seen. “Damn it! We didn’t poison Nie Kuang!” The tall figure said through gritted teeth. “Yes.” The short figure responded expressionlessly. “Is it easy to get the mirror from Shang Bieye now?” The tall figure asked. “We have to find a chance even if it’s not easy.” The short figure said coldly. “Find a chance?” “The only one among them without martial arts is the woman named Yan Xinmeng, we’ll start with her.” “But she’s always with Shang Bieye, it’s hard to find an opportunity.” The tall figure frowned. “How can there be no chance? As soon as they leave the Black Stockade, we’ll have our chance.” “Do we still use Ban’er?” “Heh! I don’t believe the king of poisonous snakes from the Tang Sect can’t kill that girl!” The short figure laughed coldly, his eyes emitting a chilling light that sent shivers down one’s spine. “Yes, then we’ll take the opportunity to grab the Mirror of Time.” After obtaining the Mirror of Time, Shang Bieye and his group bid farewell to Nie Kuang and started their journey home. On the way, they stopped by Aunt Qian’s to say hello, not only to take Little Potato back for his studies but also to ask Aunt Qian to check on the small wooden house in the backyard. Throughout the journey, Yan Xinmeng was incessantly talking to Shang Bieye about this and that, discussing medical knowledge with Wu Yangfeng, or arguing over literary skills with Bu Yuchen. Little Potato, who had always admired Yan Xinmeng even when she was dressed as a man, now saw her discussing profound topics with Wu Yangfeng and engaging in literary debates with Bu Yuchen, which made him worship her even more and declare he wanted to change his mentor. After several days of travel, the group stopped by a stream for a temporary rest.
“There’s a small town just ahead. Let’s find an inn to stay the night when we get there,” Shang Bieye pointed forward.
“Great! Can I go shopping once we’re in town?” Yan Xinmeng asked excitedly.
Shang Bieye nodded with a smile.
“Master, can I go with Mistress?” Little Potato, now seemingly Yan Xinmeng’s little follower, chimed in.
“Little Potato, what would you go for? Your master and mistress want some alone time,” Bu Yucheng teased.
“Alone time? What’s that?” Little Potato asked, his eyes full of curiosity.
“Alone time means your master wants to romance your mistress. Do you understand now?” Bu Yucheng put on a serious teacher’s face to explain to Little Potato.
“Oh, I see!” Little Potato said, although his expression suggested he didn’t quite get it. “But…”
“No buts. First, help fill the water bags on the horse’s back,” Bu Yucheng said with a chuckle. Little Potato, with a long face and pouting, took several water bags and walked towards the stream to fill them. Seeing Little Potato’s pitiful look, Yan Xinmeng couldn’t bear it and said, “Little Potato, wait for me, I’ll go with you.” With that, Yan Xinmeng jogged over to help. Seeing her come to help, Little Potato’s previously sullen face lit up with joy.
