Chang Lan
“Elder?”
He blinked and then shook his head.
“I…I can’t.”
“I already left such a long time ago. Others will definitely…”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
“There’s only me and Yuxian left on Huazhu Peak. No one will object to you.”
“Yuxian came back?”
“Mm.”
Ren Bin smiled a bit awkwardly.
“She is now…my wife.”
There was a trace of confusion in his expression.
His memories were still stuck on the time when Ren Bin was relentlessly—
“These past six years…really hard to get through.”
Ren Bin had actually really caught up to Yuxian…
And then even became her Dao companion.
He put the item back into the Hundred Treasures Pouch, sat back in the Elder’s seat, and continued explaining: “Then you, using the title of Elder, chased after Yuxian, and became her Dao partner…”
“I can only imagine that far…”
“You…your family, Ren Bin…”
“First took that person in temporarily,” “and to the outside world, you declared that you’d found a suitable successor.”
“You let that younger disciple of yours enter the Great Selection, and after he officially became your disciple,”
“No one could say anything anymore.”
“At the very least, they wouldn’t dare lay a hand on someone from the same sect on the surface.”
“In the shadows, Ren Bin naturally had his own ways of protecting them.”
“As for those few who had their hands chopped off by you—”
“Just give them a bit of compensation, and they probably won’t come back to pester you again.”
“I…I really don’t know what to say.”
Ren Bin paused for a moment, then said: “You helping me like this…I really don’t know how to repay you.”
Ren Bin smiled lightly.
“Back then…I was like a walking corpse. There was no difference.”
“Those who ran away…ran.”
“There’s nothing to feel guilty about.”
“You’re right,” he said.
“That time, I had just escaped the control of the script, gained a sliver of freedom thanks to an unexpected disruption.”
“But it was because of that freedom…that I started to feel a bit lost.”
“I had the strength, yes…but I wasn’t ready to accept it.”
“The person who was supposed to follow the set path—”
“Now suddenly had freedom, and…”
“He even thought about whether life still had meaning.”
“Always hoping, always disappointed…”
“If I had just gone into seclusion for peace of mind or to mourn the deceased, that might have been understandable—”
“But back then, I really…”
“…Just shut myself in and didn’t care about anything.”
“Pain, bitterness…everything blended together. I couldn’t tell them apart.”
“At that time…I really thought I could just walk away like we agreed.”
“But in the end…”
“…I just holed up in the cave dwelling, wasting away every day.”
“Like the world owed me something.”
“I thought I was being calm and reflective, but in reality, I was just being cowardly and indulgent.”
“The so-called ‘freedom’—”
“Was just the Heavens playing a joke on me.”
“And that kind of freedom…”
“Hurt more than anything.”
“But later I realized—”
“If I really let that accident define me forever, if I just spent my life hiding in the cave, scribbling talismans, wasting my days in self-pity and foggy confusion, then…”
“I would truly be pathetic.”
“A complete loser.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
“But now?”
“I just sparred with you a moment ago, and I didn’t even use real strength.”
“The weight on my back…do you really think it’s nothing?”
Ren Bin smiled and continued: “What big philosophy do I have to talk about? I’m just saying it casually.”
“There were times when I was weak—”
“But weakness doesn’t mean surrender.”
“You say you’re a coward now, but haven’t you already done so much?”
“Weren’t you the one who said you hated fighting the most?”
“But you still became a killer, a bodyguard-for-hire, a hired blade.”
“All of those are professions that get blood on their hands, aren’t they?”
“And then what?”
“You even took in those kids—trained them, guided them, treated them like your disciples.”
“And for their sake, you even risked your life fighting the sect’s secret enforcers.”
“Is that cowardice?”
“You’re not cowardly—”
“You’re just not ready to return yet.”
“You haven’t come to terms with your past.”
“Come back with me.”
“To be honest, Huazhu Peak has been thrust into the spotlight again.”
“We’re right at the center of attention now.”
“And Huazhu Peak desperately needs a top expert like you.”
He looked thoughtful for a while.
After a moment, he gently nodded: “Then…I’ll come back.”
“Pack your things.”
“I’ll take you back first.”
Ren Bin let out a sigh of relief.
“I was really worried you wouldn’t agree.”
“This place is so close to Taiheng Sect—”
“Your disciple will probably arrive soon.”
“When the time comes, just mention my name to the outer sect gatekeepers—”
“That’ll be enough.”
“Alright.”
A charm floated in the air as it was activated.
“I understand.”
Gou Hao nodded.
Ren Bin snapped his fingers, and the barrier around them instantly shattered.
“It’s best if you leave by tomorrow.”
“We’re still under the pressure of the sect leader. If you wait too long,”
“News of your return will probably reach the other peaks in just a day or two.”
“If you end up getting hunted by the sect’s secret forces…”
“Technically, I’m not supposed to help—”
But Ren Bin still reached into his Hundred Treasures Pouch and pulled out three light golden talismans.
“Take these.”
“These are very precious talismans. Use them sparingly.”
“At a critical moment, they could save your life.”
Gou Hao carefully took them with both hands.
“Also…”
Ren Bin seriously studied Gou Hao’s face for a moment…
“There’s a kid inside.”
“You look such a mess — don’t scare the child.”
“Don’t bring that scruffy look back into the house.”
Late at night, he finally returned to Huazhu Peak, but he had clearly been delayed for quite a while.
He’d spent too much time playing mahjong, and missed the time he was supposed to be back.
“If not for that, I should’ve returned at least an hour earlier.”
“That place…not a good crowd to mix with.”
“Mahjong ruins people!”
“I, Ren Xiao, will swear it: no more gambling from now on!”
“Gambling and drugs are unforgivable!”
He tied the horse properly, adjusted his clothes, and then carefully, very quietly, opened the door to the house.
“It’s already so late…That little guy must be asleep.”
He quietly closed the door behind him.
But just then, a creak came from the bedroom door.
Someone with light footsteps began walking out…
Hearing the noise, Yuxian rubbed her eyes and came out, looking drowsy and half-asleep.
“You’re back?”
“Mm.”
“Have you eaten?”
“I didn’t save you any leftovers. If you’re hungry, I’ll make you a bowl of noodles.”
“No need.”
“Wife, if you’re tired, just go back to sleep.”
She walked over to Ren Bin’s side.
“I already slept for a bit.”
She rubbed her eyes again and said:
“Here, have some tea.”
“Drink a little water.”
“Mm, perfect timing. I was feeling a bit thirsty.”
Ren Bin drank a bit, then looked at Yuxian standing by his side.
“How are you?”
His expression softened.
“Everything went smoothly.”
“I’ve already met with Gou Hao.”
Ren Bin then began relaying the conversation he had with Gou Hao, including the reasons for his departure and his current situation.
Yuxian nodded gently.
“Coming back really is the best choice.”
After wandering around for so long,
Ren Bin let out a little chuckle, then looked seriously into Yuxian’s eyes.
“Ah…but how could a mother like you—”
“How could you…”
His words trailed off as he leaned in…
“Can I kiss your cheek? Or your belly?”
“Would that be alright?”
Just as he opened his mouth to say more,
Yuxian immediately covered his mouth before he could continue.
“You still want to act all lovey-dovey with me?”
Using a half-threatening tone,
Yuxian stopped him.
“You lecher, don’t come any closer.”
“Alright then…”
Ren Bin could only give up with a sigh of disappointment.
“I was hoping to come back early so I could sleep well with you.”
“Sigh…”
Yuxian gave him a glare.
“You’re never serious.”
She stared at Ren Bin’s disappointed expression for a moment, and in the end, she softened a little.
“Once you’re done washing up, come back to the bedroom— We’ll talk then.”
“Yay!”
“Tonight I can cuddle with my dear wife again!”
“You’ve been running around all day, completely covered in dust and wind.”
“Go wash up first.”
Yuxian sniffed the air, and her expression turned visibly cold: After a moment of stunned silence,
Yuxian’s eyes suddenly sharpened.
“Why do you smell like perfume?”
“What’s that scent on you?”
Ren Bin suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
“W-Where did you go?”
Yuxian’s hand suddenly clamped down hard on his shoulder.