Shen Gurong panicked for a moment, but quickly regained his composure.
If there truly were still ghost cultivators, Shen Feng Xue's body wouldn't have been completely unresponsive.
Shen Gurong slowly walked over and gently lifted Mu Zhe, placing him on the couch.
Mu Zhe's face was covered in sweat, he was breathing heavily, and his brows were tightly furrowed; he looked extremely uncomfortable.
Shen Gurong pretended to examine him, but found nothing.
Just then, the white crane from Lotus Lake flew into the courtyard, transformed into a human, and nodded, saying, "Holy Lord, the Sect Leader wants me to..."
Before he could finish, Shen Gurong said to him, "Come here."
The white crane hesitated, then tentatively entered the room, its gaze immediately falling on Mu Zhe lying on the couch, his face contorted in pain.
The white crane immediately lowered its head, not daring to look any longer.
Shen Gurong said, "Look at him, what's wrong with him?"
Bai He, his face filled with disbelief, immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "Bai He wouldn't dare!"
Shen Gurong was completely bewildered. What didn't he dare? How could he not dare?
Bai He also began to tremble.
Shen Gurong thought for a moment, then his face turned green.
Did Bai He think that the little protagonist's current state was due to his own torment?
Shen Gurong kicked off Shen Feng Xue's beastly hat, pointed at Mu Zhe, and said, "What don't you dare? Look."
Bai He was terrified, but dared not disobey, so he tried to get up and glance at Mu Zhe.
After a moment, his expression was somewhat strange. He secretly glanced at Shen Gurong, who was drinking hot tea, before stammering, "Your Majesty, he... he's suffering from heatstroke."
Shen Gurong almost spat out his hot tea. This... this is heatstroke?
Shen Gurong then realized that Changying... Changying is the heat of summer. Although he felt shivering wherever he went, it was scorching hot for everyone else.
Despite the heat, he still tossed a crane cloak to the young protagonist.
Shen Gurong: "..."
That's a bit too much enthusiasm.
Shen Gurong's expression was strange. Meeting Bai He's barely concealed look of 'The Holy Lord is tormenting Mu Zhe again,' his lips twitched slightly.
Bai He quickly said, "Just give him some warm water to cool him down, and he'll be fine after a nap."
Shen Gurong nodded, then asked, "What did the Sect Leader send you to me for?"
Bai He then remembered the important matter: "The Sect Leader asked me to tell you that you need to go to the Zhibai Hall for him during the meditation class tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM)."
Shen Gurong was stunned. Zhibai Hall? Meditation class?
He himself had just turned sixteen and still had to go to the nearby private schools to listen to the teacher's lectures every day. Now, with a different identity, he was actually being asked to teach others?
Shen Gurong, recalling his own unkempt appearance, thought to himself, 'Wasn't this misleading others?'
And what exactly was a meditation class?
Seeing Shen Gurong lost in thought, Bai He tentatively asked, "Your Majesty?"
Shen Gurong mumbled, "Yes, okay, I'll remember."
Bai He nodded, bowed respectfully, and left.
Shen Gurong, still wearing his outer robe, rose to feed Mu Zhe some water.
Having grown up in luxury, he had never served anyone before. He fed him half a cup of water, but Mu Zhe only drank two sips, spilling the rest on his clothes and neck.
Feeling guilty, Shen Gurong hastily wiped his face. Seeing Mu Zhe's pale complexion, a wave of remorse washed over him, and he quickly turned and left.
He thought for a long time, slowly rummaging through the bookshelf, finally finding a copy of the "Mindfulness Sutra" in a corner.
Shen Gurong leaned back on the soft couch, intending to send Mu Zhe back to the side courtyard after finishing his book.
He squinted and turned to the first page.
He fell asleep after reading only a few lines.
The Tranquility Sutra, indeed calming.
Late at night, Mu Zhe finally woke up groggily.
He rubbed his aching head and slowly got up. Before he even realized where he was, he heard a muffled thud by the window.
Mu Zhe was startled and looked towards the room, illuminated by the ever-burning lamp.
In the inner room of Fanjiang Residence, there was a bed. By the window was a small soft couch, just big enough for one person. Shen Gurong had been dozing on the couch, but his sleeping posture wasn't very good. Half-asleep, he rolled over and fell directly onto the floor.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Even though he'd fallen flat on his face, Shen Gurong was still fast asleep, only mumbling a sound, rubbing his forehead, and continuing to sleep, clutching his disheveled robes.
His white hair was spread out on the floor, bathed in the soft moonlight and candlelight, reflecting streams of silver light.
Mu Zhe looked at his master lying on the floor, his face a picture of indescribable unease.
Perhaps Shen Gurong's actions were too foolish, but after staring at him for a while, the instinctive fear that had risen within Mu Zhe subsided considerably.
He rubbed his temples, got off the bed, and knelt before Shen Gurong, softly saying, "Master?"
Shen Gurong was fast asleep, disturbed, and let out a muffled groan, raising his pale hands to cover his ears, his voice sounding almost like a plea.
"Master, I'll copy the book again tomorrow. Please don't tell Mother."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe wondered if he was having a ridiculous dream. Otherwise, why would his usually aloof and unapproachable master utter such coquettish ramblings?
As he stood there, stunned, Shen Gurong vaguely reached out and grabbed Mu Zhe's slender wrist.
Mu Zhe shuddered, staring at him in astonishment.
Shen Gurong, still half-asleep, gently shook Mu Zhe's wrist and said softly, "Please, Master, thank you so much."
With that, his hand fell limp, and he went back to sleep.
Mu Zhe: "…………"
The next day, Shen Gurong struggled to sit up after hearing the morning bell, only realizing after a long pause that he was lying in bed.
Shen Gurong was confused. Wasn't he lying on the soft couch by the window yesterday?
When did he get into bed?
Where was Mu Zhe?
He resumed his daily routine—searching for the ice silk.
This time, he reached for the small table by the bed and found a neatly folded bundle of ice silk.
After tying the ice silk around his neck, he looked around and realized Mu Zhe was nowhere to be seen.
Shen Gurong was puzzled. How had he gotten onto the bed yesterday?
Did Mu Zhe carry him up?
Wow, no wonder he's the protagonist; so strong for such a young age.
But even after being tormented by Shen Feng Xue, Mu Zhe was still willing to carry him onto the bed. Could it be that the young protagonist's impression of him as a 'beast in human clothing' had changed slightly?
Congratulations!
Just as he was pondering this, a white crane spread its wings and flew over, respectfully saying, "Your Majesty, the morning lessons at Changying Mountain have begun."
Shen Gurong was startled, only then realizing it was about the morning lessons.
He gave a sheepish reply, changed his clothes, and steeled himself to head to the Zhibai Hall on Changying Mountain.
The suspension bridge beside the Bodhi tree was a hundred feet high. Shen Gurong, wearing an outer robe, slowly walked towards the bridge, only to see two little bundles of joy standing there.
Yu Xinghe was running back and forth around Mu Zhe, babbling incoherently. Mu Zhe glanced at him indifferently, grabbed his collar, and dragged him towards the suspension bridge.
Mu Zhe said calmly, "What do you want with Master?"
Yu Xinghe pouted, "You saw Master yesterday, and I want to see him too!"
Yu Xinghe had entered the sect three days later than Mu Zhe, and although he was older than Mu Zhe, he could only call him Senior Brother. This young child was extremely competitive; aside from being inferior to Mu Zhe in the sect's ranking, he sought to surpass Mu Zhe in other areas.
Mu Zhe had seen his master, and Yu Xinghe wanted to see him too; Mu Zhe had practiced ten pages of calligraphy today, and Yu Xinghe insisted on writing eleven.
They were extremely competitive.
The suspension bridge was long, and the two children, not very heavy, swayed precariously in the strong wind, almost losing their footing.
But they seemed used to it, their expressions unchanged, holding onto the chains until the wind subsided before continuing.
Shen Gurong watched from the side, a little apprehensive, fearing the two children might be blown off by the wind.
The morning bell had already rung four times.
Shen Gurong slowly walked towards the suspension bridge, quickly catching up with the two boys clinging to the thick chains in the middle, waiting for the wind to pass.
Yu Xinghe was using both hands and feet to hold onto the chains, but his mouth wasn't empty; he was still shouting about seeing his master. Just as he was chattering away, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw his master slowly walking towards him. Mu Zhe was the first to notice him. His expression changed slightly, and he lowered his head in a complicated bow.
Yu Xinghe's eyes lit up, and he instinctively reached out to bow in return, but his hand gripping the chain froze, and he was suddenly blown aside by the wind.
"Ah!" Yu Xinghe exclaimed in surprise, and the next instant, he felt a gentle hand embrace his waist, pulling him into an arms.
Yu Xinghe looked up, still shaken, and met Shen Gurong's indifferent eyes.
Shen Gurong: "Be careful."
Yu Xinghe was startled, his face slightly flushed, and he said shyly, "Thank you, Master."
Shen Gurong didn't put him down, but instead reached out to Mu Zhe, who was obediently holding the chain, indicating that he wanted to hug him.
Mu Zhe dared not be so intimate with him, shaking his head in refusal, "I wouldn't dare trouble Master."
Shen Gurong knew he still harbored resentment towards him, so he didn't insist. He carried Yu Xinghe across the suspension bridge, reaching the other side in an instant.
Mu Zhe's lips were slightly pursed, his small hands gripping the cold chains, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Yu Xinghe looked at Shen Gurong expectantly, probably never expecting his master, who usually ignored him, to condescend to carry him across the suspension bridge.
This honor emboldened Yu Xinghe slightly. After being set down, he gently tugged at Shen Gurong's sleeve, his eyes sparkling like stars, and said in a childish voice, "Xinghe thanks Master."
Shen Gurong looked down at him, then thought of his soft and adorable younger sister, and reached out to ruffle his little head.
Yu Xinghe's eyes widened, filled with adoration.
Mu Zhe had already crossed the suspension bridge when he caught sight of Shen Gurong gently rubbing Yu Xinghe's arm, his gaze flickering slightly.
From the suspension bridge to Zhibai Hall on Changying Mountain, Yu Xinghe had been staring intently at Shen Gurong, looking incredibly excited.
Shen Gurong glanced at him—without the risk of the little villain becoming a demon in the future, the more he looked at Yu Xinghe, the more he liked him: "Tired?"
Yu Xinghe was startled, then nodded timidly.
Shen Gurong's expression was gentle. He bent down and picked Yu Xinghe up in his arms again, steadily walking towards Zhibai Hall.
Yu Xinghe exclaimed in surprise, his face turning red. He timidly clung to Shen Gurong's shoulder and mouthed to Mu Zhe, who was following behind: "Master, he hugged me again! Ahhh!"
Mu Zhe lowered his eyes, showing no reaction, his pale lips slightly pursed.
Soon, they arrived at Zhibai Hall.
Li Suo, a Golden Core cultivator, had only suffered minor injuries yesterday, which had healed by today. However, he was already weak, and his face still showed signs of recovery from a serious illness.
He stood at the entrance of the Zhibai Hall, looking utterly dejected, with his equally crestfallen junior brothers standing behind him.
As soon as he saw the figure in white approaching, Li Suo's legs trembled.
He took a deep breath, forced a smile, and respectfully bowed, "Greetings, Holy Lord."
The other disciples followed suit.
Shen Gurong put Yu Xinghe down, "No need for formalities."
He adopted the demeanor of a private tutor, calmly walking into the Zhibai Hall. The other disciples followed suit, obediently taking their seats.
Mu Zhe followed Li Suo to his seat, turning slightly to the side and asking softly, "Senior Brother, are you feeling better today?"
Li Suo's face was ashen, whether from lingering illness or from being frightened by Shen Gurong. Hearing Mu Zhe's question, he forced a smile, raised his hand to ruffle Mu Zhe's hair, and said softly, "Senior Brother is fine."
Mu Zhe still felt somewhat guilty.
Li Suo ruffled his hair again, smiling, and said, "This has nothing to do with you. If I hadn't deliberately provoked the plague demon, none of this would have happened. In a way, you were implicated because of me."
Mu Zhe quickly replied, "No."
Li Suo winked at him.
Just then, Shen Gurong suddenly coughed. Li Suo immediately straightened his back, looking directly at the Holy Emperor.
Shen Gurong, dressed in white with a bamboo flute hanging from his waist, his features were exquisite when he lowered his gaze. He said calmly, "Why have you all consistently failed your meditation lessons?"
Li Suo immediately stood up, stiff and rigid, and stammered, "It's because our minds are not calm."
Shen Gurong glanced at him: "Why are your minds not calm?"
Li Suo was completely silenced under his gaze, and the entire Zhibai Hall fell into an unprecedented deathly silence.
Shen Gurong surveyed the trembling disciples, picked up the bamboo flute, and tapped his palm lightly, mimicking the gesture of a private tutor.
With each tap, all the disciples trembled simultaneously, their hair nearly standing on end in fear, lest the Holy Lord Feng Xue be enraged and devour them alive.
After all, the Holy Lord Feng Xue was a terrifying figure, like a raging flood, on Liren Peak.
Watching their trembling movements, Shen Gurong thought, 'Hey, this is quite amusing.'
Shen Gurong deliberately knocked a lot, watching them shake back and forth, laughing inwardly.
Mu Zhe, who was circulating his spiritual energy to silently recite the Tranquility Sutra, heard his icy master's inner monologue: Hahahaha.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe pursed his lips. He had always thought that Shen Feng Xue, outwardly virtuous but inwardly ruthless, was already a hypocrite, but he hadn't expected...
He was still too naive.
Mu Zhe lowered his head, speechless.
Shen Gurong, who had always been tormented by the private school teacher, was finally able to torment others, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction, like a long-suffering daughter-in-law finally becoming a mother-in-law.
Shen Gurong laughed heartily: Ha, ha, ha!
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe remained expressionless and stopped circulating his spiritual energy.
lmao
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