The Woodcutter Sage arrived, travel-worn but smiling, carrying his woodcutting axe. Behind him followed the Black Tiger God, his long ears twitching in all directions. Suddenly, spotting Sam Oxley, his ears perked forward.
In the next moment, the Black Tiger God transformed into a small black tiger and ran over affectionately, calling out, "Third Brother, long time no see!"
Although the relationship between the Old Farmer and the Woodcutter Sage was poor, the Black Tiger God and Old Ox (Sam Oxley) got along extremely well. He clung to Old Ox, addressing him as Third Brother.
The Old Farmer glanced at the Woodcutter Sage and said coolly, "I'm not familiar with the capital—you are. Pick a sewer, and I'll send you there."
The Woodcutter Sage laughed heartily but didn't dare approach. He said, "Come on, we've known each other for tens of thousands of years. You can't send me to lie in the sewers every time we meet. This time, my young disciple rushed to call me back, saying the second disciple received a blessing from Earth Mother that's very strange and asked me to take a look. Have you seen him yet?"
The Old Farmer's expression softened slightly. "I've seen him. Earth Mother's blessing is indeed strange. I threw a few punches at it, but couldn't break it."
"Even you couldn't destroy Earth Mother's blessing?"
The Woodcutter Sage's face grew serious. "Looks like this really is a tough one."
Suddenly, another voice called out, "Senior brothers, you've already arrived?"
They turned toward the voice and saw Felix Fisher, the Fishing Celestial Teacher, arriving travel-worn with his fish basket and fishing rod.
The Woodcutter Sage said, "Fourth Brother, you arrived just in time. Third Brother just told me to pick a sewer and he'd send me to lie in it."
Felix Fisher replied cautiously, "If Third Brother wants Eldest Brother to lie in the sewer, then Eldest Brother should just lie there. I can't beat him, so telling me this is useless."
Two tiny red fish poked their heads out of his basket. Spotting Old Ox and the little black tiger, they immediately flew out, wagging their tails and bouncing around on the ground.
Seeing the fish, the Black Tiger God perked up, pounced forward, and pinned the two little red fish down with his paws.
"Hooked!"
The two little red fish were delighted. The male fish shook his head, and his head suddenly grew enormous. With a single bite, he swallowed the Black Tiger God, leaving only a black tail sticking out and waving.
Old Ox (Sam Oxley) said slowly, "Alright, alright, you two—husband and wife—stop messing around and spit out the little black cat."
The male fish was a bit reluctant, but still spat out the Black Tiger God. The Black Tiger God snorted, then somehow produced a transparent glass fish tank. The two little red fish's eyes lit up and they immediately jumped into it.
The Black Tiger God stared at the fish in the tank, drooling, but didn't dare provoke them.
These two little red fish were no ordinary creatures, but red kun—demigods—who cultivated under the Fishing Celestial Teacher, possessing earth-shaking power and extraordinary magic.
In terms of raw combat power, neither of them could defeat Old Ox (Sam Oxley) one-on-one, but together as husband and wife, the two red kun could hold their own against him.
"It's been ages since the four of us gathered. Too bad that donkey isn't here," said the female red kun, poking her head out of the fish tank.
Sam Oxley looked displeased. "He went with the scholar to Carefree Haven and is living it up. That donkey's got a weird temper and a nasty mouth—best if he just dies in Carefree Haven and never comes back!"
The Black Tiger God reluctantly looked away. "That stubborn donkey—he's foul-mouthed and always kicking his hooves..."
Just as they were speaking, a braying donkey cry suddenly rang out. The Woodcutter Sage and the others were overjoyed, but Sam Oxley, the Black Tiger God, and the two red kun immediately pulled long faces. The male red kun snapped, "Damn woman, that's what you get for running your mouth!"
"I'm late!"
A scholar rode in sideways on a donkey, the donkey swaying as they entered Qin Mu's residence. The scholar leapt off the donkey, waved his feather fan, and approached the group with a smile. "Eldest Brother, wise younger brothers."
"Second Brother, when did you leave Carefree Haven?"
The Old Farmer grew solemn, asking seriously, "How is the Pioneer Emperor Keane? Why hasn't he come out?"
"He's well," the scholar replied, smiling and greeting everyone, but didn't answer the question.