Tang Ning unwrapped the lotus leaf and saw two roasted sparrows that were slightly burnt, two chicken feet, one chicken head, and one chicken thigh. It was evident that the chicken parts had been ripped off by hand, and Tang Ning found them utterly revolting.
"Hehe… I managed to catch only one wild pheasant, so I thought I'd keep the feet, head, and thigh for you. But it didn't look like it would be enough, so I caught two more sparrows to add to the menu. We'll have to make do for now! It's good enough that we can even have meat while staying at this monastery."
The old monk took a sip from the wine gourd he was holding. He didn't wait for her response, waved his hand, and continued, "Little Monk, I am going to sleep now. We'll head down the mountain first thing in the morning. When we're back in the city, we can eat anything we want."
Tang Ning silently watched the old monk leave, then picked up one of the roasted sparrows and began to eat. Although it was small, it was still meat. She has not even tasted meat ever since she arrived here.
After finishing the two roasted sparrows later, Tang Ning was still not satisfied. She went to the kitchen and got two buns to eat, before finally retreating to her room to rest for the day.
The next morning, the old monk dragged himself out of bed, as he walked towards Tang Ning's room, still yawning and stretching along the way. Outside Tang Ning's room, the old monk shouted, "Wake up, wake up! We need to get going."
No sound could be heard from Tang Ning's room. It was still and silent.
The old monk knocked on the door loudly. "You're becoming more of a sleepyhead than I am. Hurry, wake up!"
Even now, the room was dead quiet, and there were no signs of movement.
Feeling something amiss, the old monk went over to the window and tried to peep in. He was stunned at what he saw.
"Where is that little monk? Where did the little monk go?"
He quickly climbed in from the window and saw that there was no one in the room. He placed his hand on the mattress. It was cold.
"That little rascal must have snuck away in the middle of the night. Trying to ditch me, eh?"
Suddenly, the old monk's eyes widened as if he remembered something important. He nervously twirled his long, white eyebrow with his finger, and then slapped his own head. "Damn it! I don't even know that little rascal's name or where he lives! I hadn't gotten round to asking him all that yet! How in the world am I going to look for him?"
At that moment, he noticed a piece of paper lying on top of the pillow. He briskly grabbed it off the bed and read it out loud, muttering under his breath, "What does he[a] mean he has something important to attend to… and it isn't convenient to bring me along? I shall repay you for saving my life, should we be destined to meet again."
The old monk crushed the note into a ball and threw it aside. He stomped out of the room in a huff. "Trying to ditch me, eh? Not a chance!"
In the meantime, in Spring Cloud City, inside the great hall of the Tang Family residence. The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and solemn.
Tang Xiao was seated at the master seat. Sitting on the lower left side was Nangong Lingyun. Nangong Lingyun had returned to Spring Cloud City, intending to visit Tang Ning. However, upon his arrival at the Tang residence, he learned from Tang Xiao that Tang Ning's whereabouts were unknown.
"Uncle Tang, don't worry too much. Perhaps she just went somewhere to relax, and will return within a few days." Nangong Lingyun could only say these words to comfort Tang Xiao.
"If she had regained her power to cultivate, I would not have worried about her being outside on her own. But she lost her cultivation overnight, and now she is all alone outside, who knows where. I just worry that she will…"
Tang Xiao's voice trailed off. He was afraid to think of the worst that could happen, and even more afraid to say it out loud, lest it came true.
Nangong Lingyun tried to console Tang Xiao again. "Ning'er is a blessed girl, she will be safe and sound." He glanced at Tang Xiao and continued, "Uncle Tang, now that Ning'er is not by your side, you must take good care of yourself."
Tang Xiao nodded. He looked at the handsome and outstanding young man before him, as if noticing his presence for the first time, and asked, "Are you adjusting well to life out? How long will you be staying this time?"
[a]ok, now i have been a bit confused. since he already know its a girl n not really a little monk, should i still keep "HE" for Tang Ning in their conversations?? or switch to "SHE" when its just two of them in the scene??? Is it required as per story to Keep "HE" ? then it wud be fine to keep it that way.