“I can see that.”
The white-clad woman curled her lips, growing more and more surprised the longer she looked, astonished by the girl’s exceptional innate talent.
Could there really be a girl in Dongji Continent who could rival Xiao Xinran?
And she even served as Liuer’s maid?
“Where is Jing Tan’er?”
At Snow Veiled Five Peaks, the Four Academies had been forced to suspend classes and grant a holiday.
At this moment, a dispute was quietly unfolding at the ruins of Yunliu’s Thatched Cottage.
Jing Tan’er was utterly disdainful, and Xiao Xinran was growing agitated.
Since they weren’t leaving, a fierce battle for ownership of the new master bedroom had broken out.
“Bring her out.”
“Order received!”
Little Yellow Hair saluted sharply, her twin ponytails whipping as she dashed into the inner room.
With one hand, she grabbed a girl by the scruff of the neck, lifting her like a chick, then dragged two girls in front of Yunliu.
Ji Shiyu, as the top fierce general under her adoptive father, wished she could tattoo the characters “Fierce One” boldly across her chest.
She immediately took the order to capture two fugitives, proudly acting as security for Celestial Phenomena Peak.
“Explain this to me.”
Yunliu rubbed his temples.
Xiao Xinran was about to snap at Huangmao, but when she saw Aunt Master’s cold, stern expression, her face paled.
She unconsciously pinched her ears and crouched on the ground, ashamed about her disability, unable to meet her mother-in-law’s gaze, resembling a criminal suspect being arrested.
“Eh, you’re finally back! You made me wait so long. I’ll forgive you this time, but next time don’t…?”
Jing Tan’er’s words trailed off suddenly when she noticed Yunliu’s dark expression and softening voice.
She was momentarily stunned.
“What’s wrong? You… don’t like it?”
Her delight shifted to fear.
Yunliu’s tone was sharp: “Fooling around normally is one thing, but I’m an outsider and have no right to interfere. This place is different — the Inner Sword Sect’s Holy Land, a place where Shenhua Immortals cultivate in peace. You cannot act recklessly here. Apologize to the Head of Tianxiang immediately!”
Head of Tianxiang?
“Mo…moth…?”
Jing Tan’er’s face changed drastically as she finally realized she’d caused trouble.
She glanced at Xiao Xinran’s triumphant smirk.
So she’d been waiting for this moment!
That brat must have known the identity of the white-clad woman all along.
After spending years in the Outer Four Academies, she’d never had the chance to see the legendary Bingling Immortal.
Yan Bingling’s heart tightened, and she took a step back as if stabbed in the chest.
She could hardly believe what she’d just heard; at this moment, even having her home torn apart barely registered.
How strange—why did Liuer’s distant tone sound so unnatural?
The Chief Senior Disciple didn’t even call her Master anymore, speaking as if this wasn’t her home.
Why was he referring to himself as an outsider?
Had he already accepted becoming an in-law of Clear Mist Peak…?
Aunt Master panicked, her unease growing.
It seemed to confirm her worst fears: the boy who had grown up relying on her was gradually drifting away.
Snow… began to fall again.
Inside the Illusion Pavilion, the Old Sect Leader cursed, “Damn it, never-ending! Immortal, please stop with your divine powers!”
“Sorry, sorry! Aunt… no, Master, no, Little Aunt, I… I just want to… exchange it back right away!”
“It’s fine. Let it be this way. It’s not a big deal; no need to trouble yourselves.”
It didn’t matter anymore.
With no people left, what use was a home?
Yan Bingling waved her hand wearily, indifferent, then lowered her head and went into the little loft she was relegated to as a storeroom, closing the door to be alone and calm herself.
The empty-nest Little Aunt had shut down, unable to accept reality.
“Yes.”
Yunliu gave Jing Tan’er a sharp look.
“You’re lucky this time. Don’t let it happen again.”
The two clueless Outer Sect disciples nodded fervently like little chicks pecking at rice.
Yan Bingling sat on the bed, utterly despondent.
Her sword heart sank deep into her spirit sea. Her beloved treasure was still missing, and now her home was gone too.
Whether Liuer came back or not, his heart was no longer here. What difference did it make?
More painful than the disciple’s disability was Yunliu’s detached attitude, like a passerby disheartened and indifferent.
After this incident, he seemed to have let go of everything.
Though appearing no different on the surface, he was no longer close or affectionate as before, unwilling even to discuss with Master how to remedy his broken qi sea.
A growing distance, an unfamiliarity.
In contrast, outside the window, a group of childish brats were tamed one by one, obedient before the boy’s presence, creating a lively scene.
Jing Tan’er took note of the boy’s instructions and ordered her followers to remove some of the overly clever decorations, leaving only the necessary facilities in the toy city.
The little princess’s good intentions had backfired, but thankfully Master did not accept the bad outcome.
Yunliu understood her meaning on her behalf.
Celestial Phenomena Peak looked refreshed.
At least after he left, Master and Little Sister could manage on their own.
Praised by her adoptive father, Ji Shiyu became even more diligent, practicing swordsmanship in the bamboo grove and asking her senior brother to evaluate her progress.
Huangmao was obviously the type who performed worse under pressure, but a little sweetness and stick work surprisingly worked well.
Someone seemed to understand nurturing better than Phoenix Hatchling?
Yunliu’s attitude changed; he began to see Ji Shiyu in a new light.
She asked seriously and was ready to point out flaws casually.
The white-clad youth compared Illusion Pavilion’s ancient sword formulas while translating for Xiao Xinran on the spot.
His handwriting was refined, and the former wife dutifully served nearby, grinding ink carefully, hoping to perform well in front of her mother-in-law, whose goodwill had likely already plummeted.
Qin Cha, cloaked in a green cloud robe, slipped away from Rosy Fragrance Pavilion, bringing some tonic supplements for Foundation Establishment cultivators and a pot of sweet soup to visit.
They’d only just parted, and here she was again—no one would be at ease if her brother didn’t immediately recover to normal!
Huangmao grabbed a bowl and gulped it down greedily.
“Another bowl!”
“Of course, Sister Ji.”
Compared to Aunt Master, Qin Cha felt more like the head of the household.
Yan Bingling clutched her chest, feeling worse. Breathing grew difficult, and consciousness gradually blurred.
She’d only been gone a short while, but her painstakingly raised son had been crippled and surpassed by a bunch of unknown little girls…
If she wasn’t by the boy’s side, where in this vast world would she have a place to stand?
Knock, knock!
Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Yunliu brought in a bowl of sweet soup but saw Yan Bingling’s lips pale.
“Mas…ter, are you alright?”
With her imminent departure from the sect, calling him Master no longer felt exhausting.
The boy who once clung sweetly to her had abruptly changed his attitude, no longer even able to say “Master.”
This was even more heartbreaking for Yan Bingling.
“I don’t need it!”
Yan Bingling exhaled coldly, her expression distant and rejecting.
Yunliu sighed.
Though painful to say and sure to hurt Master, he had acted with good intentions to protect Aunt Master.
He no longer needed to worry or toil for himself and wouldn’t fall for the tricks of the Huangmao master-servant pair and sign a bondage contract.
“You probably already know my situation. There’s something I’m not sure if I should say.”
Holding her chest in pain, Yan Bingling suddenly grew nervous, as if anticipating something.
No!
Don’t say it!
Shut up!
Not only had Ao Tian noticed, but besides a few Dreamers, many had guessed.
These days, Gelan had been subtly hinting to Aunt Master that the boy was at a dead end in sword cultivation and should be advised to try making a living in the Medicine House instead.
Rosy Fragrance Pavilion’s business was doing well, still contributing to the sect.
Marrying into Clear Mist Peak would keep the family intact.
Everyone believed Yunliu wouldn’t survive this winter.
Did they have to wait until he was utterly broken, failed the Inner Sect Test, and was expelled before giving up?
By then, Celestial Phenomena Peak would lose its last shred of dignity, and Aunt Master’s lineage would be disgraced.
“If you have something to say, say it another day!”
Yan Bingling turned her face away, resisting and scolding, only wanting to delay for as long as possible.
Yunliu gritted his teeth, deciding to cut through the mess swiftly.
Braving it, he cupped his hands and finally spoke.
“Master, I don’t want to try anymore!”
“Eh?”
How strange. Listen again.
Though his expression was unclear and the words somewhat ambiguous, the meaning was unmistakable.
Yan Bingling was stunned.
Gently stroking her silver hair, she rarely lowered her voice to speak weakly, “Th-then what do you want?”
Not want to be a disciple anymore…
Could he want to become a master’s father-in-law, riding over the sect leader to become the Little Aunt’s husband?
Or even ride over the sect ancestor?
Such unrealistic fantasies vanished as quickly as they appeared, dashed coldly.
“I’ve come to realize maybe I’m not suited for Celestial Phenomena Peak, or even the Shenhua Sect. These past years have been exhausting, and in the end, all my efforts were in vain. I’ve had enough of this life.”
If resigning, one must be decisive and resolute; you can’t say you’ve found another place yet.
Half true and half false, since becoming master and disciple, their once-close relationship seemed to grow more distant.
Returning to the simplest of bonds with the Little Aunt might be better.
Besides, leaving the Shenhua Sect didn’t mean he couldn’t take care of her, and Yunliu was perfectly at ease with that.
Yan Bingling grew anxious and reprimanded, “Celestial Phenomena Peak isn’t a place you come and go as you please! I won’t allow such nonsense. Don’t say it again. I don’t remember ever teaching you to give up so easily…”
For the two of them, this was an ordinary scolding.
But the last words sounded harsh to the boy now…
Yan Bingling realized her slip, covering her mouth to stop herself from speaking in anger.
She stammered, “N-no, that’s not what I meant. I meant to say that facing difficulties and braving the currents is the true spirit of cultivators!”
“Master, no need to say more. My mind is made up. On the day of promotion selection, I will confess everything to the Grand Elder and formally bid farewell to the sect. I came back today just to notify you.”
“Shut up!”
Yan Bingling scolded sharply, but the white-clad youth had already bowed and taken his leave without further words.
Not a trace of reluctance remained.
“No, don’t go! Don’t leave me…”
“You’re back!”
Yan Bingling shakily took out a treasured Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill from her bosom.
She knew her beloved chief disciple was about to break through to Foundation Establishment.
This gift was originally meant to be given when Liuer shone during the Inner Sect Test.
Given her leisurely nature, saving up some pocket money despite cultivating was rare, and maintaining every sword in the sword box consumed enormous resources.
Yet Yunliu ignored her and pushed the door open to leave.
Yan Bingling rose, wanting to reach out and grab the boy’s hand, but halfway there, she hesitated and withdrew, lacking the courage.
Once she removed this cold mask, she feared Yunliu would see the disdain on her face when he discovered the truth.
She feared the boy would keep his distance like avoiding venomous snakes.
She feared they would lose even the last shred of happy memories together.