The Ancestral Dragon was startled. He snapped his head up, the "I've just seen a ghost" expression reappearing on his face.
"Again, again, again..."
The Lame Daoist hoisted up the little mud loach, chuckling.
"Again what?"
The Ancestral Dragon's mouth twitched. He subconsciously replied,
"I've seen a ghost again... er, no, my greetings, Shangqing Great Celestial Venerable..."
"Mm."
The Lame Daoist was still smiling faintly.
"That masked fellow is my precious disciple. He's called Profound Yellow. You know what to do, don't you?"
A trio of question marks seemed to appear over the Ancestral Dragon's head. He stammered,
"Just now... just now, the Supreme Great Celestial Venerable already gave his instructions..."
"I know," the Lame Daoist said with a smile. "I'm just telling you that he is *my* precious disciple. *Mine*. Understand?"
"Yes, yes, yes!!" The Ancestral Dragon nodded frantically, the terror in his heart growing even more intense.
"Good."
