Shen Gurong ran after him with his short legs, his voice hoarse from shouting, but he could only watch helplessly as Xi Guxing disappeared around the corner.
A gust of wind, alternating between hot and cold, blew by, and Shen Gurong looked around blankly.
Where am I? How do I get back?
Unlike back in Tang City, where his brother would always come looking for him if he got lost, Shen Gurong stood there for a long time, shivering from the wind that shifted between hot and cold, and could only mutter curses as he searched for his way.
This place must be at the border of Baishang Mountain and Changying Mountain. The wind was sometimes cold and sometimes hot. Shen Gurong wrapped his outer robe tighter around himself and couldn't help but sneeze.
While searching for sharp words to curse Master Xi, Shen Gurong picked up a few pebbles. Whenever he came to a fork in the road, he would turn his back to the path, throw a pebble behind him, and see which way it landed before heading.
This method had never worked before, so this time he learned his lesson and avoided going wherever the pebbles landed.
Finally, he successfully got lost in the unfamiliar mountains.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong sat panting on a rock, too exhausted to curse anymore.
He rested for a while, then looked down at his chubby little hands. He tried with all his might, but couldn't summon even a trace of spiritual energy from his meridians.
After trying for a long time, Shen Gurong finally gave up.
The alternating hot and cold winds made Shen Gurong's face flush red. In a place where he wouldn't see a soul for half a day, even waiting for half a day was unlikely to yield anyone. Shen Gurong had no choice but to continue collecting a pile of pebbles, starting to try his luck.
Half a day later, he had thrown away all the pebbles in his hand, still without encountering anyone. Instead, he stumbled upon a waterfall.
Shen Gurong saw the white, silken waterfall and thought, "Oh no."
No one around Fanjiang Residence or Zhibai Hall on Changying Mountain had ever seen such a large waterfall. How many wrong paths had he taken?
Shen Gurong nearly collapsed. He stomped his feet in frustration for a long time before continuing his search with a blank expression.
Even if he was angry, he couldn't leave himself here.
Shen Gurong walked around the waterfall, finally reaching a secluded pool where the path ended.
Beside the pool stood a huge stone tablet with several elegant characters written on it. Thick moss covered the base of the tablet, indicating its age.
The sound of the waterfall cascading into the pool drowned out all other sounds. Shen Gurong couldn't hear the sound, which resembled the panting of a sleeping wild animal. He backed away, tilting his head back to read the characters on the tablet.
"Rain... wind, wind and rain..." Shen Gurong took a few steps back and finally saw the characters on the tablet.
Wind and rain gather in the secluded pool.
Shen Gurong tilted his head, pondering the words for a moment, when Xi Guxing's words suddenly came to mind.
Shen Feng Xue's fifth senior brother, Chao Jiuxiao… was he in seclusion in a place called "Wind and Rain Pool"?
After figuring it out, Shen Gurong shuddered. Just as he was about to take a step, he felt his foot step on something and tripped, falling to the ground.
Shen Gurong let out a "plop," sliding a few inches on the ground with his eyes closed, almost hitting his head.
He struggled to his feet and glanced back, then everything went black.
The thing that tripped him seemed to be the tip of a giant beast's tail.
Shen Gurong: "…"
Shen Gurong remembered his fifth senior brother's demonic form—a dragon—and shuddered again.
Shen Gurong's heart pounded with fear. Perhaps he was overwhelmed by terror, but even knowing a gigantic dragon might be coiled beside him, he couldn't suppress his curiosity about the unknown. Fear mingled with his gaze, he couldn't help but follow the tip of its tail forward.
The tail draped down from behind the stone tablet, then its massive body dipped into the Wind and Rain Pool, finally spanning the deep water. The dragon's head rested on a moss-covered boulder, its eyes closed in slumber.
It must have been sleeping for a long time; a patch of moss had already subtly grown over its body, blending seamlessly with the boulder, making it difficult to notice the dragon coiled there at first glance.
Shen Gurong thought with a mixture of excitement and fear, 'Ahhh! A dragon! Master! Dragons really exist!'
His calligraphy teacher often read him tales of the strange and supernatural in his spare time. Little Gurong, perched on his lap, tilted his head slightly and asked curiously, "Are those mythical beasts real?"
The teacher smiled, his long, slender fingers lifting a yellowed page of the book: "Just legends."
Shen Gurong's short legs began to tremble, whether from fear or excitement.
The tremendous roar of the waterfall drowned out even the dragon's sleeping breaths; even as water droplets fell from the sky into the deep pool, not a single ripple was stirred.
Instinctively, Shen Gurong softened his breathing, afraid of waking the dragon.
He slowly backed away, carefully stepping over the dragon's tail, and was about to turn and run when he noticed that Chao Jiuxiao, who had been sound asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.
The dragon's eyes were larger than Shen Gurong's head, its cold, vertical pupils suddenly fixed on Shen Gurong, carrying a powerful, oppressive, and violent aura.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong took off running.
It felt as if a demon was chasing him, demanding his life. Shen Gurong had never known his short legs could run so fast, and he didn't dare look back to see if Chao Jiuxiao was catching up.
He ran for an unknown amount of time, almost unable to breathe, and just as he was about to stop and catch his breath, he bumped into someone again.
Shen Gurong landed on his backside with a thud, his eyes reddening with fear as he looked at the person he had bumped into.
Fortunately, Chao Jiuxiao didn't chase after him; the person Shen Gurong had bumped into was Mu Zhe, who had just returned from Li Suo's place.
The paper-wrapped icing in Mu Zhe's hand was knocked to the ground, and he stumbled back a few steps, barely avoiding falling. He stared in astonishment at the fallen Shen Gurong, and after a long pause, hurriedly came over.
He was about to help Shen Gurong up when his little master, as if startled, suddenly scrambled to his feet and lunged at him.
Shen Gurong, as if seeing a savior, threw himself on Mu Zhe, his eyes red-rimmed, clinging tightly to his neck, refusing to let go, his breaths tinged with tears.
"Mu...Mu Mu...Waaah."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe was knocked back half a step, feeling his little master's body trembling slightly. He hesitated for a moment before embracing him, gently patting Shen Gurong's back, and whispering, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."
Shen Gurong had embarrassed himself in front of Mu Zhe too many times, and now, utterly terrified, he had completely given up on hiding his true feelings.
Shen Gurong clung tightly to Mu Zhe, breathing heavily, his words mumbled incoherently, "That... big... ugh, look at me... I ugh!"
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe tried to circulate his spiritual energy, but found he couldn't even read Shen Gurong's thoughts.
Looks like he's really frightened.
Shen Gurong hugged Mu Zhe's neck, wanting to press himself completely against him. Mu Zhe was almost suffocating from his grip, so he could only pat Shen Gurong's back to help him catch his breath.
Shen Gurong was still saying, "He... Senior Brother, he abandoned me..."
Mu Zhe tried to understand his master's words: "You mean the Sect Leader abandoned you halfway?"
Shen Gurong: "Ugh, I couldn't find... a dragon..."
Mu Zhe: "You couldn't find the road, and encountered a dragon halfway?"
Shen Gurong: "A dragon!"
Mu Zhe: "A dragon?"
Shen Gurong nodded. Mu Zhe finally understood. Seeing Shen Gurong clinging to him, refusing to let go, his heart softened. He tried to reach out and stroke Shen Gurong's head. Shen Gurong gave a muffled sound, but didn't resist, burying his face in Mu Zhe's neck and nuzzling against him.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe's courage grew a little. He stroked Shen Gurong and gently comforted him, "You must have accidentally wandered into the Wind and Rain Pool. Fifth Martial Uncle is in seclusion over there."
Shen Gurong's eyes reddened, and his toes ached slightly from standing on tiptoe. He slowly released Mu Zhe's neck and whispered, "Will he chase after me?"
He exuded a childlike charm, even his breath carrying a sweet, irresistible scent that Mu Zhe couldn't resist. Mu Zhe's heart felt a tickle, and even his voice softened.
“They won’t chase after us.” Mu Zhe gently straightened his loosely draped silk handkerchief and said softly, “Let’s go back to Fanjiang Residence together.”
Shen Gurong was still shaken, and it took Mu Zhe several reassuring words for him to regain his senses.
When he came to his senses, he realized how embarrassing it was that he was clinging to Mu Zhe so tightly, and he froze for a moment before feeling utterly ashamed and indignant.
If there were a crack in the ground in front of him, he would have disappeared into it.
Shen Gurong’s ears turned red, and he slowly released his arms from Mu Zhe’s neck, stammering, “I…I…”
He stammered for a long time, too embarrassed to say anything more.
Mu Zhe forced a smile, picked up the icing sugar from the ground, and placed a piece of icing sugar mixed with milk in front of Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong, feeling utterly ashamed, smelled the faint milky scent, looked up slightly, and stared blankly at Mu Zhe.
Mu Zhe said, "This was given to us by Senior Brother Li Suo, it's very sweet."
Shen Gurong hesitated for a moment before taking half a step forward.
Because he had fallen many times, his little hands were covered in mud. Wanting to eat the candy but not wanting to use his hands, he simply reached forward and snatched the sugar frosting from Mu Zhe's fingertips.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe was completely stunned.
Shen Gurong, with the candy in his mouth, his cheek puffed out slightly, mumbled, "Mmm, sweet."
Mu Zhe snapped back to reality. He coughed dryly and lowered his head, saying, "I'll take Master back."
Shen Gurong wasn't ashamed anymore. He nodded and was about to follow Mu Zhe, but he had run too far, his legs were sore and weak, and he stumbled after taking half a step.
Mu Zhe hurried to help him up: "What's wrong?"
Shen Gurong muttered, "My legs are weak."
Mu Zhe hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Master, I'm sorry for the intrusion."
Shen Gurong was still wondering what the intrusion was when he felt Mu Zhe raise his arm and wrap it around his slender waist, then try to hug him tightly!
He couldn't...he couldn't lift him.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Mu Zhe: "..."
An awkward silence fell over the room. Shen Gurong couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Mu Zhe's ears turned slightly red, and he awkwardly let go.
Shen Gurong's eyes curved into crescents, and after laughing, even his previous awkwardness vanished instantly.
He reached out his hand to Mu Zhe and said in a childish voice, "Then hold my hand."
Mu Zhe was taken aback, then mumbled an "Mmm," reached out and took Shen Gurong's soft hand, leading him forward. Since childhood, whenever Shen Gurong got lost, his older brother would always come looking for him; later, as his brother grew older and was always busy, it was his teacher who would come looking for him, leading him by the hand and showing him the way home—though he never remembered.
This was the third person to lead him home.
The two walked hand in hand for a while, finally returning to Fanjiang Residence.
Wen Liubing was already waiting at the door, quickly approaching upon seeing them return.
"Master."
As soon as he drew near, Shen Gurong smelled a pungent odor emanating from him, as if he had just been tainted by blood.
Shen Gurong subtly took a half-step back, his brow furrowing slightly.
Blood?
Who had his eldest disciple killed this time?
Wen Liubing remained calm, noticing Shen Gurong's short legs trembling slightly. He was about to bend down and carry him back when Mu Zhe stopped him.
Mu Zhe blocked Shen Gurong's path, frowning, "Senior Brother, your scent is too strong. Master doesn't like it."
Wen Liubing was taken aback, glancing down at his freshly polished Lanting Sword, and asked doubtfully, "I only killed a crane; the smell shouldn't be too strong."
Mu Zhe and Shen Gurong were both stunned.
Wen Liubing…killed the white crane at Fanjiang Residence?
Wen Liubing acted swiftly and decisively, wielding the Lanting Sword and catching up with the fleeing white crane in moments, killing it cleanly and efficiently.
For Wen Liubing, anyone who posed a threat to his master was to be killed without hesitation, without uttering a single unnecessary word.
Wen Liubing brushed Mu Zhe aside, picked up Shen Gurong, and carried him into Fanjiang Residence, saying as they walked, "The demon race harbors ill intentions towards Master. I knew back then that white crane couldn't be allowed to live. This time, he dared to spread the news of Master's descent from the mountain to his own kind without permission. I only killed him and didn't hold the demon race responsible; that's already more than enough."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong then clearly realized that although his eldest disciple was straightforward and unkempt in front of him, his status as the Demon Extermination Commander meant he could mobilize countless people to fight for him in any city of the Three Realms.
Shen Gurong said dryly, "Ah, okay."
Wen Liubing carried him to the bed and placed him on the couch. He knelt on one knee, tilting his head slightly upwards to look at him: "Master, you don't blame me for my violent and indiscriminate killing?"
Shen Gurong tilted his head: "But didn't you say he had ill intentions towards me?"
Wen Liubing paused for a moment before nodding: "Exactly. The demon race and the demonic cultivators are all untrustworthy. Master only needs to trust Sanshui."
Shen Gurong: "..."
For some reason, he suddenly felt that this statement was a bit strange.
Wen Liubing, however, didn't think so. He always spoke his mind, and was still swearing to his master: "No matter what happens, Sanshui will protect Master."
Shen Gurong, unable to bear it any longer, interrupted him: "Shut up."
Wen Liubing then shut up.
Shen Gurong climbed onto the bed, rummaged through the clothes he had taken off when he transformed into a phoenix, and found the jade marrow. He put it on his waist, so that he wouldn't be abandoned halfway by Xi Guxing with nowhere to go again.
After he finished tying his clothes, he suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Where's Mu Zhe?"
Wen Liubing was skillfully brewing tea for him. "Who?"
Shen Gurong: "Your junior brother."
Wen Liubing: "He went back to the side courtyard."
Shen Gurong coughed. Just now, he had been clinging to someone's neck, crying and wailing, but as soon as he returned to Fanjiang Residence, he immediately ignored him. It seemed like he had used someone and then discarded them.
Following Shen Feng Xue's memories, Shen Gurong found a storage ring, casually tossed it to Wen Liubing, and said, "Take this to your junior brother."
Wen Liubing never questioned his master, and without asking any further questions, he got up and went to deliver the item to Mu Zhe.
Shen Gurong jumped off the bed and rummaged through Shen Feng Xue's clothes for a long time, but couldn't find a single wearable garment.
Shen Fengxue's clothes were usually a somber blue and white, quite plain. Although Shen Gurong also liked this ethereal style, he knew his impulsive nature meant he wouldn't become an immortal even in white, so he mostly preferred to see others wear them.
His master, or Lou Bugui, would suit these colors perfectly.
Shen Gurong was completely buried in the trunk, rummaging around when the door, which Wen Liubing had closed, suddenly opened.
Shen Gurong, with a bundle of outer robes on his head, hurriedly peered out from the trunk's edge, his eyes meeting those of Xi Guxing who had just entered.
Upon seeing him, Shen Gurong was furious. He snorted coldly and burrowed back into the trunk, refusing to acknowledge him.
Xi Guxing clicked his tongue, raised his hand, and tapped the trunk, saying, "Get up, aren't you afraid of suffocating?"
His tap was extremely strong, making Shen Gurong's ears hurt from the impact.
Shen Gurong angrily tried to climb out of the box, but Xi Guxing, seeing his difficulty, simply grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up.
Shen Gurong flailed his arms, his face flushed, and cursed, "Sect Leader Xi!"
Xi Guxing tossed him onto the bed and sneered, "Do you want a beating?"
Shen Gurong ignored him.
Xi Guxing impatiently stepped forward and raised his hand towards him: "I didn't know what style you liked, so I just bought a little of everything. Pick one yourself."
Shen Gurong was stunned, wondering what he had bought, when he saw Xi Guxing turn the storage ring on his wrist.
A pile of clothes suddenly poured out of the storage ring, directly slamming onto Shen Gurong, knocking him over.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong was buried in the pile of clothes, almost unable to breathe.
The hundreds of children's clothes piled up on the bed. Seeing him floundering in the sea of clothes, Xi Guxing reached out and pulled him out, saying disdainfully, "You're such a useless piece of trash."
Shen Gurong's face turned red; he was truly angry now.
He said in a cute but fierce tone, "Xi Guxing!"
Xi Guxing, instead of getting angry, chuckled, ruffled his hair, and said, "You've become quite amusing now that you've gotten younger. Unlike your previous gloomy self, who was unmoved no matter how much I provoked you."
Shen Gurong's anger instantly dissipated.
Oh right, he was still occupying the body of someone else's junior brother, so he had no right to get angry.
But he was still annoyed.
Xi Guxing, having enjoyed his furious expression for a while, casually took a bright red shirt from Cheng Xiaoshan's clothes and held it up to Shen Gurong's body: "Hmm? It seems to fit perfectly. Want to try it on?"
Shen Gurong: "..."
Xi Guxing had no good intentions at all. He knew perfectly well that Shen Feng Xue never wore such brightly colored clothes, yet he insisted on getting whatever was flashy and gaudy—clearly, he was just there to watch the show.
Shen Gurong sneered, snatched the clothes away, and said, "I'll change then."
This time it was Xi Guxing's turn: "..."
After a moment, Xi Guxing looked at Shen Gurong in the red shirt with a strange expression, and after a long pause, finally said, "It suits you quite well."
Shen Gurong thought to himself, 'Nonsense, I've been naturally handsome since childhood, I look good in any color.'
Seeing there was no more fun to be had, Xi Guxing had no choice but to put the clothes into his storage ring and stuff them into Shen Gurong's hand, letting him choose whichever he wanted.
Shen Gurong kicked him in anger.
Xi Guxing didn't bother arguing with him and started talking about serious matters: "Don't wander around these next few days. Have Sanshui stay in the side courtyard to protect you."
Shen Gurong was secretly stepping on Xi Guxing's foot when he heard this and asked in confusion, "Protect me? Are there other demon cultivators on Liren Peak?"
"No, that's not it," Xi Guxing shook his head, "Because of that demon cultivator at the Burial Mound... the spiritual energy of the Liren Peak boundary spirit tablet is being consumed very quickly, and it dissipates every so often. The barrier is usually set up by Second Senior Sister, and she won't be back for a few days."
Shen Gurong seemed to understand: "Oh?"
Xi Guxing said, "Over the years, Liren Peak has been infiltrated by countless spies. The news of your departure from the mountain will soon reach the rest of the Three Realms. I believe that within a few days, someone will come to Liren Peak. The temptation of the divine artifact is too great; someone might even trespass on the barrier to kill you. It's better to be safe."
Shen Gurong nodded: "Okay."
His life was at stake.
Xi Guxing gave a few more instructions before turning to leave. After a day of commotion, it was completely dark outside.
The news that Wen Liubing had returned from outside carrying a four-year-old child with eyes covered in ice-like tears, and that the sect leader had taken him back to Fanjiang Residence, spread rapidly throughout Liren Peak within a single day.
"Senior Brother Sanshui brought back a four-year-old child who looks remarkably like the Holy Lord, and the sect leader even went to fetch him personally!"
This one sentence spread to countless people, eventually distorting the meaning entirely.
"Pfft!" Xi Guxing nearly spat out his tea, asking Li Suo incredulously, "The Holy Lord has a four-year-old illegitimate child? Who said that?"
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