The following day, the participants of the Chanwei Assembly departed from Liren Peak and headed to the Lingfang Pavilion in Fuxian City to board the spirit boats back to the city.
Probably worried that Shen Gurong's cleanliness syndrome might flare up on the way, Mu Zhe had packed an entire storage ring just for spare clothes for the journey. While there weren't many other miscellaneous items, packing them all took considerable time.
By the time Mu Zhe finished packing, it was already afternoon.
The evening mist flowers in the Fanjiang Residence courtyard had been completely cleared by Mu Zhe, and several ink bamboo stalks and a peach tree had been replanted. Nourished by the spiritual soil, they had already begun to sprout leaves.
Beside the tree, Shen Gurong sat upright on a stone bench. Xiwu, her eyes lowered, tugged at his hand and whispered, "When will brother return?"
Shen Gurong was still wondering if his sixth senior brother would kill him, and casually replied, "From Jingzhou to Xianyun City and back, it takes about three days. I'll probably die in Xianyun City... no, stay there for several days, won't be back for a while."
Xiwu: "..."
Die?
Shen Gurong tentatively extended his hand forward, and Xiwu quickly ran to his right, burying her head in his palm so he could feel it.
Shen Gurong chuckled before softly saying, "After I leave, you must listen to the sect leader."
Xiwu nodded, "Yes, Xiwu will definitely listen."
Shen Gurong felt that Xiwu and Shen Xiwu were worlds apart in personality, but both were equally clingy. Every time he was with her, Shen Gurong instinctively treated her like a younger sister. He felt something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Thinking about it too much made his head throb.
Afraid of pain, Shen Gurong simply gave up.
Xiwu seemed very obedient, but when Mu Zhe called Shen Gurong away, she pursed her lips, suddenly took a few steps forward, grabbed Shen Gurong's sleeve, and whispered, "Brother, come back soon."
Shen Gurong said, "Okay."
Xiwu then released his sleeve, thought for a moment, and handed Shen Gurong a bead she had warmed inside.
"For brother."
Shen Gurong couldn't see it and tilted his head slightly: "What?"
He opened his palm, and Xiwu placed the bead on it.
Mu Zhe, standing to the side, suddenly frowned slightly. The bead looked extremely strange, as if scarlet blood had blended with ink. Upon closer inspection, it resembled a half-open eye.
Just as Mu Zhe was about to examine it closely, the ink-wash color blurred and subtly blended with the blood, and the shape of the eyes vanished instantly.
Mu Zhe looked up and met Xiwu's cold, emotionless eyes, which were staring at him with utter hostility.
Mu Zhe didn't back down, coldly returning the gaze.
Shen Gurong was completely oblivious to their exchange. He held the still-warm bead, smiled, and tilted his head, allowing Mu Zhe to use his spiritual power to thread a red string through it.
Mu Zhe withdrew his icy gaze and obediently threaded a spiritual energy string through the center of the bead. Perhaps out of selfishness, he added a small golden bell to the end of the string, which jingled almost imperceptibly with a slight sway.
Shen Gurong, unaware of the danger, put the pendant on his wrist and said to Xiwu, "Thank you."
Xiwu's inhuman eyes shifted from Mu Zhe and returned to Shen Gurong, her gaze instantly transforming from dangerous to tender and affectionate. She said in a childish voice, "Take care, brother."
Shen Gurong was quite pleased, patting her head again before being helped away by Mu Zhe.
Xiwu stood at the courtyard gate, watching Shen Gurong slowly depart, her dark, lifeless eyes seemingly shrouded in gloom.
She murmured softly, "So annoying."
The one standing beside him… should have been me.
Mu Zhe, who had just reached the Bodhi tree, sensed a beast-like killing intent and turned sharply, only to see the small figure at the entrance of Fanjiang Residence already turned and went back inside.
Seeing Mu Zhe stop, Shen Gurong asked, "What's wrong?"
Mu Zhe turned around, concealing the gloom in his eyes, and said, "Nothing."
Shen Gurong said "Oh," and casually played with the bead on his wrist, saying, "Is there anything unusual about this bead?"
Mu Zhe was startled, only then realizing that Shen Gurong had asked him to string the bead so he could examine its spiritual energy.
He shook his head: "This bead was made by Huo Rongshui and Di Mo; there's nothing unusual about it."
Shen Gurong nodded and continued walking forward with Mu Zhe's help.
On the vast Liren Peak, Yu Xinghe ran joyfully all over the mountain, calling out to everyone he encountered.
"Senior Brother, Xinghe's home!"
Yu Xinghe was loved by everyone; even the most eccentric elder of Liren Peak adored his carefree nature.
Seeing him running around excitedly, everyone laughed, "Be careful on the road! You were injured last time you came back, so be careful this time."
"Don't bring so much stuff back this time. We don't like those candies anyway."
Yu Xinghe laughed until his eyes disappeared, saying as he ran, "Nonsense, Senior Brother clearly likes them."
Senior Brother chuckled and scolded, "Come on, you brat."
Yu Xinghe dashed off in a flash.
He moved with lightning speed, quickly greeting everyone on the mountain. When he returned to the Boundary Spirit Tablet, Shen Gurong and Mu Zhe were just arriving.
Yu Xinghe's eyes lit up: "Master!"
He rushed forward to pounce on Shen Gurong, and Xue Manzhuang, hidden under his outer robe's hood, was shaken out, spreading his wings in the same manner and running towards Shen Gurong.
...Then Mu Zhe kicked them both onto the Boundary Spirit Tablet.
Mu Zhe flicked his sleeve, his robes billowing in the wind, and said calmly, "Don't get so close to Master. If you do it again, don't come along."
Yu Xinghe quickly scrambled out, hands behind his back, looking like a dutiful child, and said seriously, "Yes, Junior Brother!"
Xue Manzhuang also perched on his shoulder, not daring to move, his wings folded, chirping, "Chirp, chirp!"
Although they had been protected by demons and Mu Zhe along the way, Shen Gurong still had to disguise himself to avoid too much trouble.
He was unusually dressed in a moon-white robe, with a thin veil over it that somewhat obscured his deep blue hair, making it appear more elegant. His white hair was too striking, so Mu Zhe used some Di Mo ink and his spiritual power to turn it into a jet-black color.
After fixing his hair, Shen Gurong casually glanced back in Mu Zhe's direction. Mu Zhe, who was holding a hair ribbon in his hand, froze, suddenly stunned.
Although Shen Gurong's appearance was beautiful even with white hair, it always carried a chilling aura, like the wind and snow on a cold mountain peak, making it impossible to look directly at him, as if a single glance would freeze one's eyes.
Even though Mu Zhe knew that his true nature wasn't as indifferent as he appeared, he still felt an unconscious reverence whenever he saw him.
Now, Shen Gurong's black hair hung down slightly, the ink-like color like the filth of the world, dragging the unapproachable, ethereal Shen Gurong down from his pedestal, letting him tumble in the mortal realm, tainted with some of the warmth of human life.
Shen Gurong tilted his head slightly and called to him, "Mu Zhe?"
Mu Zhe's pupils contracted sharply. In an instant, the absurd dream from a few days ago flashed into his mind.
The red-clad, black-haired boy lying on his couch smiled at him with his peach blossom eyes, calling him in the same way.
"Mu Zhe."
Mu Zhe suddenly seemed to have seen a ghost, taking a half-step back and bumping into the bewildered Yu Xinghe behind him.
Yu Xinghe curiously peeked out, "What's wrong?"
Upon seeing Shen Gurong, he exclaimed happily, "Master, you've colored it?"
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong glanced at him, "Nonsense."
Yu Xinghe smiled broadly; just a word from Shen Gurong could make him happy for half a day, and he was even amused by being scolded.
Mu Zhe had already awkwardly recovered. He coughed and said, "It's getting late, let's hurry."
Shen Gurong nodded, familiarly raising his hand for Mu Zhe to help him.
Mu Zhe hesitated, lost in thought, and didn't dare to step forward to help him.
Upon seeing this, Yu Xinghe immediately patted his chest and said, "Xinghe will help Master!"
Mu Zhe, who had been hesitant about approaching his master, immediately turned cold, pulled away from Yu Xinghe who was trying to run forward, and quickly stepped forward to support Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong, unaware of what was happening, let Mu Zhe help him down the mountain.
By the time they slowly reached the foot of the mountain, the sun was already setting.
Mu Zhe had accompanied Xi Guxing on his training trips over the years, so he was very familiar with the Lingfang Pavilion and quickly led the group to the pavilion on the east side of Fuxian City.
Because of the Chanwei Conference, the Lingfang Pavilion was bustling with people, all of whom were returning to the city by spirit boat.
Shen Gurong felt a sudden noise in his ears and frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
If Shen Feng Xue's cultivation were still intact, there would be no need for this trouble.
Mu Zhe skillfully used the jade token from Liren Peak to rent a spirit boat and helped Shen Gurong board it.
The Spirit Boat Pavilion has branches in various cities. You rent a spirit boat from Fuxian City for ten spirit stones, and return it to the branch in Xianyun City for a 50% refund.
Upon boarding the spirit boat, Yu Xinghe asked curiously, "Rent? Why not buy one?"
The spirit boats are similar to painted boats in the mortal world, fully equipped. Mu Zhe helped Shen Gurong to a soft chair by the window, glancing at Yu Xinghe: "Do you think everyone else wastes spirit stones like you?"
Yu Xinghe blinked innocently.
The spirit boat entered the moat and followed the unique magical array path of the Spirit Boat Pavilion. If nothing unexpected happened, a journey that would take an ordinary cultivator a day on a sword could be covered in half a day using the Spirit Boat Pavilion's route.
Unless it was a special case like Wen Liubing's, cultivators with a little savings would use spirit boats for long journeys.
After the spirit boat left Fuxian City, a faint sound suddenly came from the top, but no one except Mu Zhe heard it.
Shen Gurong was already dozing off. Mu Zhe gently woke him and helped him to lie down on the couch in the painted boat's room.
Shen Gurong, his hair as black as ink, took off his outer robe and lay on the couch, his eyes so sleepy he could barely keep them open. He mumbled, "Wake me when we get there."
This was his first long journey since arriving in this world, yet Shen Gurong was so tired he only wanted to sleep.
The mortal body was simply not as efficient as that of a cultivator with spiritual power; even dispelling drowsiness was impossible.
Mu Zhe said softly, "Okay."
Shen Gurong then snuggled into the blankets and fell into a deep sleep.
Mu Zhe gazed at Shen Gurong's sleeping face for a long time before getting up, grabbing the Jiu Xi Sword, and vaulting out the window, instantly reaching the top of the painted boat.
Upstairs, Qingyu, who was idly reading by the moonlight, heard footsteps and smiled, turning his head: "Coming."
Mu Zhe frowned: "What are you doing here?"
Qingyu looked completely innocent: "The Demon Lord ordered me to protect the Holy Lord."
Mu Zhe found his fox ears annoying: "Doesn't he hate you? Why would he send you?"
"Hahaha," Qingyu gloated, "Because besides him, I have the highest cultivation level on this trip. Those little good-for-nothings who haven't even grown their wings yet are completely unreliable, so of course he sent me."
Mu Zhe glanced at him but said nothing.
Qingyu said a few words, then continued flipping through the book in his hands, casually remarking, "Tsk, men, your master only praised my fox ears once, is it really necessary for you to hold a grudge until now?"
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe frowned deeply: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Qingyu chuckled, sat up abruptly, propped himself up on his knees, and said with a smile, "Your jealousy and envy of my fox ears are written all over your eyes, do you think I didn't see it?"
Mu Zhe was startled, his first reaction being to cover his eyes.
Qingyu: "..."
Qingyu laughed heartily: "You, you, why are you so easily fooled when it comes to your master's affairs?"
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe angrily lowered his hands, directly gripping the Jiu Xi Sword and approaching step by step.
Qingyu, knowing he had already reached the Nascent Soul stage and was no match for him, quickly begged for mercy: "I was wrong, I was wrong, Brother Mu, please have mercy—ah!"
Yu Xinghe, who was eating snacks with Xue Manzhuang on the pleasure boat, slightly raised his head, biting into an apricot blossom pastry, and mumbled, "What was that sound?"
Xue Manzhuang, his feathers covered in pastry crumbs, chirped twice, signaling him to continue eating.
Yu Xinghe, ever carefree, continued happily eating his snacks.
On the pleasure boat, Qingyu climbed aboard, soaking wet, his ears drooping. He said listlessly, "It was just a joke, why are you so angry?"
Mu Zhe looked at him coldly. Afraid of another beating, Qingyu quickly smiled ingratiatingly, even reaching out to coil a wisp of demonic spiritual energy into a droplet the size of water, placing it in a thumb-sized glass bottle, and casually tossing it to Mu Zhe.
Mu Zhe caught the glass bottle, frowning. "What's this?" he asked.
Qingyu replied innocently, "It's demonic spiritual power. If you want your master to like you too, just use my spiritual power to conjure a pair of fox ears."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe, enraged again, threw the glass bottle away.
The bottle landed straight in the icy river, and the next instant, Qingyu also fell in with a splash.
Yu Xinghe: "What was that sound again?"
Xue Manzhuang: "Chirp chirp!"
Eating is more important.
Qingyu climbed out a second time, saying weakly, "Your temperament is really hard to fathom. If I'm killed by you before I even get the Demon Lord's position, where can I complain?"
Mu Zhe, probably annoyed waiting for him to climb out, was now impatiently flipping through the book Qingyu had been reading.
Seeing Qingyu come aboard, Mu Zhe closed his book and coldly asked, "Where did this book come from?"
Qingyu, afraid of water, peered at Mu Zhe's expression, fearing he'd be kicked into the river again. He tentatively said, "If I tell you, you promise you won't kick me in."
Mu Zhe didn't even lift his eyelids: "Okay."
Qingyu, as if granted a get-out-of-jail-free card, climbed onto the top of the painted boat, casually wiped away the river water, sat cross-legged, and said with a grin, "I wanted to show it to you yesterday, but I forgot—it's a popular storybook that's been all the rage in the Three Realms lately, based on your Nascent Soul stage at the Chanwei Assembly and the Holy Lord shielding you from the tribulation. I haven't finished reading it yet."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe said, with a complicated expression, "Who has such leisure time?"
"Who knows... what about the Dao?" Qingyu, seeing his interest, began enthusiastically, "Although it's fictional, the master-disciple relationship depicted in this book is incredibly moving and tear-jerking. If I didn't know the circumstances at the time, I would have truly believed it was real."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Qingyu wiped his eyes, feigning sadness, and said, "A disciple who fell into inner demons right after entering the tribulation, and a master who bravely rushed into the tribulation, using his strong back to shield his disciple from nine bolts of heavenly lightning... Ah, it makes me want to become the Holy Lord's disciple too."
Mu Zhe glared at him: "Don't even think about it."
Qingyu knew he was extremely possessive; he wouldn't even allow Yu Xinghe to touch Shen Gurong, let alone accept a new junior brother vying for his master's attention, so he only mentioned it briefly.
He patted the book, excitedly saying, "This 'Blocking Heavenly Thunder' is finished. I heard there will be a new story after it, something like 'Spring Snow Folds Green Robes.' Although I don't understand the title, if it's published, I'll definitely buy a few copies to follow your deep master-disciple relationship with the Holy Emperor."
Mu Zhe: "..."
This sly fox, is he really unaware or pretending?
The fox didn't think much of it and continued reading with great interest.
Mu Zhe didn't want to be with Yu Xinghe, but there were no other rooms on the pleasure boat, so he simply sat on the top of the boat watching a crescent moon slowly pass by.
Qingyu bit his nails while reading the story, occasionally clicking his tongue, his gaze constantly glancing towards Mu Zhe.
Mu Zhe was too lazy to argue with him and sat cross-legged to meditate.
After an unknown amount of time, Qingyu suddenly screamed, startling the sleeping Shen Gurong, who frowned slightly, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
Mu Zhe frowned and opened his eyes: "What's wrong?"
Qingyu jumped up, throwing the book he was holding three feet away. His face was flushed, and his hands were trembling: "Th-th-th-this...this! This!"
Seeing that he couldn't even speak clearly, Mu Zhe could only raise his hand to bring the book to his face and glance at it casually.
Qingyu had only a few pages left to read. The ending, based on Mu Zhe's disciple, was in a sea of flowers, kneeling on one knee, holding his master's hand, and gently kissing the smooth, jade-like back of his hand.
Mu Zhe's face flushed a little, but he could still accept it.
After all, fictional stories in the streets even depicted erotic scenes, let alone just a kiss on the back of a hand.
Mu Zhe glanced at Qingyu, whose fox ears were standing on end in fright, and said indifferently, "What's all the fuss about?"
Qingyu's ears perked up and drooped, then perked up and drooped again, his fur standing on end. He covered his cheeks and said in horror, "But...but but!"
Qingyu didn't finish his "but," but with a "Ah!" he jumped into the river and disappeared with a splash.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Yu Xinghe, who was fast asleep on the wooden plank of the painted boat, turned over and mumbled in his sleep, "What...what was that sound?"
Xue Manzhuang: "Chirp chirp."
Sleeping is more important.
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