Yun Liu was not among the sect’s disciples; he was considered family to the two Fairy mothers.
Maternal love had soured.
Yun Liu blinked, his words sweet as honey, even though one of them had already…
When it came to his ties within the Sword Sect, he had far too many: the rebellious daughter of Falling Cloud Peak, the unruly girl next door from Sunset Peak, the marriage-alliance ally of Hidden in Mist Peak, and his yet-to-be-married fiancée, the Chief of Qingxia Peak.
“Hmph, at least you have a little conscience. Your glibness has certainly improved after being away; you’ve even learned how to flatter. No wonder you’ve charmed Xiang’er so much that she doesn’t even care if her husband takes concubines.”
Gelan rolled her eyes at him, her expression softening significantly as she set down the teapot.
This rebellious son, whose temper was exactly like his master’s, actually knew how to bow his head.
If one were talking about family, “First Senior Brother-in-law” might have been a more fitting title.
If Junior Sister Liu hadn’t run off with that third member of the Yun Clan, the position of Head Seat would never have fallen to Qin Xiang today.
Perhaps this was simply destiny.
“How is your Innate Spiritual Foundation? Is it still collapsing?”
Yun Liu lowered his head in silence.
He feared his mother’s sudden bouts of concern the most.
“Did you think we hadn’t noticed? Everyone has their secrets, but there are too many anomalies surrounding you. Bingling doesn’t say it, but she’s always worried in her heart. She comes here every few days, and she will never allow an accident like the last one to happen again.”
Gelan pulled Yun Liu down to sit, her attitude unusually gentle.
However, she secretly pushed the teacup a little closer and sighed inwardly.
The young man was solitary by nature; he disliked bothering others and disliked being bothered by them.
He was a lonely soul, just like Yan Bingling.
Perhaps he still harbored resentment over the coldness and indifference of those around him in the past, making it difficult for him to open his heart or place expectations on anyone ever again.
But Yun Liu remembered the kindness of his two foster mothers vividly, even though one was cold and the other hot, one was crazy and the other eccentric.
Yan Bingling had sold her sword to buy pills for him, and Gelan had risked herself to guide his soul.
In the end, it was Ao Tian, that silly bird, who had used Ji Shiyu’s mouth to find a loophole.
Yun Liu squeezed a smile onto his pale face.
“I’m fine, really—as long as you don’t bowl me over with your chest.”
His smile was a bit forced, and he didn’t dare look at his Second Mother for more than a few moments.
To his Minghuang Cultivation Body, these righteous Caldrons were simply too tempting.
“You’ve said that ever since you were little. Even if you broke your leg, you’d cry while saying you were fine. No matter what happens, you like to hide it in your heart. Actually, it’s okay to rely on others once in a while. No matter what your status is out there or how far you go in the future, you will always be a child in my eyes.”
Yun Liu felt a warmth in his heart.
His usually shameless Second Mother was suddenly getting sentimental, which was quite embarrassing.
‘I can’t exactly tell her I’ve read the script, can I?’
The moment of sentimentality didn’t last long before Gelan reverted to her true self, clutching her chest and winking suggestively.
“You naughty boy who loves eating milk!”
“Honestly, if you didn’t have a mouth, I would respect you a lot more,” Yun Liu replied irritably.
“Speaking of which, when exactly do you plan to take down Xiang’er? I’ve already prepared the dowry; I’m just waiting for you to come and propose.”
“Is it because I don’t want to?”
Yun Liu said crossly.
“You’re referring to the Qingxia Sword Mark, right? That belonged to Sister Qin in the first place. And as for the rest… it’s a secret. Either way, it won’t be worse than Jing Tan’er’s!”
“Is there more?”
Gelan scratched her head awkwardly.
She usually spent money recklessly, and her few remaining Spirit Stones were used to maintain her sword and increase her cultivation.
The ice mountain on the neighboring peak was even poorer.
Bingling kept countless rare treasures in her sword case; she alone was worth the combat power of the other four peaks combined.
Yun Liu could easily guess Second Mother’s intent.
She was here to pressure him—a classic case of the servant being more anxious than the master.
Thus, Yun Liu grinned and said bashfully, “How could I accept this? Since that’s the case, I assume you’ve also prepared my betrothal gift as well? That’s far too generous of you!”
“Ah, that…”
Gelan’s expression froze, and she sucked in a sharp breath.
She had been careless.
The little ungrateful wolf had been waiting for her right there.
Was she supposed to provide both a dowry and a betrothal gift?
“Second Mother treats me like her own, and I have always loved and respected you like my biological mother. I’m sure you wouldn’t favor one over the other, right?”
Yun Liu looked “sincere,” his eyes brimming with moved tears.
His expression while asking for pocket money was exactly like the blonde girl’s.
No matter how much the young man flattered her this time, Gelan wasn’t buying it.
Her joy had turned into double the pain; her little scheme had backfired.
“In your dreams! If such a good deal existed, I’d rather take it myself. I might as well package myself up and sell me to you, then we can go ask your Aunt Master for a betrothal gift together!”
Gelan gnashed her teeth.
The brat was making such a fuss about getting a wife; did he plan to strip her of everything down to her soul?
Yun Liu fell into thought for a moment, studied Second Mother carefully, and then laughed.
“That’s not impossible. A Lianxu Sword Cultivator is incredibly precious. My betrothal gift can simply offset your dowry.”
Buy one, get one free?
Was there really such a good deal?
“You—you—you—you! Impudent! Bold!”
The day had finally come where the leader of the female hooligans was left speechless and flushed with embarrassment, clutching her chest.
She never expected the brat to take her joke seriously.
Instead of being threatened, he had counter-offered, nearly dragging her into the arrangement as part of the gift!
Lin Shu’s voice suddenly came from outside the door, interrupting the scheming between the unscrupulous mother and son.
“Young Master, Ruan Yu of the Radiant Light Sect seeks an audience.”
“Ruan Yu?”
Yun Liu frowned.
At this time, shouldn’t she be focusing her attention on Ji Shiyu and Xiao Ran?
“The East Extreme Pavilion Master requests her entry.”
Lin Shu guided her politely and then withdrew.
As soon as Ruan Yu stepped through the door, she saw the Head of Qingxia Peak looking flushed with rage.
Toward the future Sect Master of the Radiant Light Sect, Yun Liu was quite polite.
He gave the beautiful female cultivator a meaningful look, not at all surprised by her true nature.
Gelan, however, was somewhat surprised.
Ruan Yu’s name was famous within the Heavenly Concord Alliance and heard throughout the Nine Provinces; even the Chief of Falling Cloud Peak couldn’t compare.
How did such a gifted Sorceress of Dance end up lingering at Jueyun Peak?
“Miss Ruan, please sit.”
“You are too kind, Mister. My greetings.”
Yun Liu conveniently pushed the fragrant, warm cup of tea toward her—the one he hadn’t touched.
Just as Ruan Yu was about to reach for it, Gelan snatched it away and hissed in a low voice, “Brat, you’ve grown bold. I’ll deal with you later!”
The Second Mother didn’t leave either.
She stayed right there, staring intently at Ruan Yu, making the girl feel awkward and confused.
“Ahem, the customer is God. Shanhai Pavilion answers all requests. May I ask what you need, Miss Ruan?”
“Actually, I’m here for her.”
Ruan Yu pointed a slender finger.
Yun Liu followed her gaze and looked out the window—
A single golden cowlick swayed back and forth like an antenna; someone had been eavesdropping for a long time.
A fat bird flew in from outside and landed on the white-robed youth’s head, chuckling wickedly.
“What, couldn’t agree on a price? By the way, our Palace of the Heavenly Pivot Star doesn’t take betrothal gifts.”
“Oh?”
‘Do you still provide a dowry then?’
Yun Liu wanted to ask, but he held back.
Some jokes could be made, while others could not.
He dared to tease Second Mother, but Starshuo Madam was someone who would truly come to his door to propose marriage.
“What are you doing squatting there? Come in, someone is looking for you.”
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