Torrential rain, beside the overturned carriage.
A black-haired, black-eyed boy, around ten years old, injured, held a short sword in his hand, staring resolutely ahead.
He spoke to the girl behind him:
“Big Sis, you go quickly. Leave this to me.”
“But…” The girl clutched his arm, wanting to say more, but the boy shook her off with a forceful motion.
“Big Sis, if you stay here, you’ll only distract me… Go! I can handle them.”
He didn’t look back, his expression as resolute as iron.
In front of him, seven or eight fully armed bandits approached with sneering grins.
“Brat… you’ve got some skills, I’ll give you that. You’ve caused us a lot of trouble.”
“Too bad you’re just a snot-nosed little runt.”
The bandit leader snorted coldly, his cruel gaze sweeping past the boy to the eleven or twelve-year-old girl behind him.
The boy gave the girl behind him a hard push, shouting one last time, “Go!” Then he charged determinedly at the bandits.
“No!”
With a cry, the girl jerked upright.
The blanket covering her slipped away, revealing beneath it a beautifully sculpted figure.
Gu Qiushui’s pupils widened, her breath coming in great gulps, crystal beads of sweat sparkling on her fair skin.
What… what’s going on?
Gu Qiushui hurriedly clutched the blanket tighter to cover herself, her eyes darting around in panic.
All around was a flat expanse of grass.
She lay on bedding, with a bronze incense burner set nearby.
It was the dead of night.
Her memory was confused.
But one scene was vivid in her mind.
About… a naked butt.
Was she saved by that naked-butted weirdo?
Checking herself, Gu Qiushui realized her injuries had fully healed.
Not only that, her heart beat even stronger than before, and spiritual energy flowed more smoothly through her meridians.
What in the world was happening?
Gu Qiushui didn’t understand.
At that moment, a faint, flowing flute melody drifted through the silent night.
This is…Gu Qiushui snapped her gaze toward the direction of the sound.
There, at the very edge of the cliff crevice.
Wrapping the blanket tighter around herself, Gu Qiushui rose cautiously and made her way toward the music.
Shhh, shhh, shhh.
Bare feet stepped softly over the grass.
When the figure came into view, the girl stopped.
The sky was clear, stars scattered, the moon high above.
Bathed in silver light, atop a tall stone, a cloaked youth sat with his back to her, holding a bamboo flute.
The serene flute melody came from that flute.
“Yuyang?”
Seeing that silhouette, Gu Qiushui felt dazed for a moment, but quickly shook her head.
Impossible.
Yuyang is currently training in the Purple Sun Secret Realm, and this place is the depths of the Qiang Wilderness Secret Realm.
There’s no way Junior Brother Yuyang could appear here.
Moreover, although the silhouette was similar, the aura he gave off was entirely different from Junior Brother Yuyang.
The flute played on.
Gu Qiushui listened quietly, not daring to disturb.
Unknowingly, she was entranced.
In her mind’s eye, she saw a bamboo grove cottage under a gentle rain…
When she came to, she was startled to find that half an hour had passed without her noticing.
What tune was this, that it lowered her guard so completely, that she lost herself for so long?
If the other person had wanted to kill her…
A chill ran through Gu Qiushui.
She looked up again at the stone, but the youth’s figure was gone.
“You’re awake?”
A stranger’s voice sounded behind her.
“Ah!”
With a cry, Gu Qiushui spun around.
At this distance, the youth was a head and a half shorter than her, but with his hands clasped behind his back, he seemed to look down from above.
“Who… who are you?”
Gu Qiushui stared at the youth, at the iron mask on his face.
Though he felt different, she couldn’t shake the sense of familiarity.
“You can call me Lì Fei… cough, never mind, the name isn’t important.”
After a moment’s thought, Chen Yuyang still didn’t give a name—not even a fake one.
Because there was no need.
The two of them were merely “ships passing in the night.”
Now that her injuries were healed and she could leave the Qiang Wilderness Secret Realm on her own, from now on, they would have “nothing more to do with each other.”
“Then… may I ask if it was you who saved me, Senior?”
Gu Qiushui bit her lip, asking respectfully.
In her eyes, though this youth looked young, his strength must be formidable—he might well be a hidden master.
For cultivators, appearances can be deceiving.
“Yes.”
Chen Yuyang did not deny it, nor did he need to.
“Then… was it Senior who… changed my clothes?” Gu Qiushui blushed, biting her lip.
“I treated your injuries. I had no choice.”
Chen Yuyang’s tone did not change.
Blushing, Gu Qiushui understood.
“Th-thank you, Senior…”
“Enough. Your wounds are fully healed. Now, leave. Do not disturb my life any further.”
Chen Yuyang turned away, cold and aloof.
He didn’t speak further about undressing the girl, nor did he mention any repayment.
“This… such a great kindness… how can I thank you, Senior?” Gu Qiushui cupped her fists, asking earnestly, even if he didn’t ask for repayment.
To repay kindness and return grudges—this was her creed.
If she couldn’t, she’d always feel indebted.
“It was nothing. I simply couldn’t stand seeing those people bully a lone girl.”
Chen Yuyang still faced away, his tone calm.
“If you wish to repay me, just leave and never mention me to anyone.”
Hearing this, Gu Qiushui trembled slightly.
He sought no reward, simply acted upon justice.
He did not demand gratitude, only asked that she not reveal his whereabouts…
Such nobility, such righteousness.
But Gu Qiushui knew well—her injuries were not minor.
Yet now, she was completely healed, with not the slightest aftereffect, even in better shape than before.
This Senior must have paid a great price, perhaps even suffered loss.
Just leaving like this felt like too heavy a debt.
No, this kindness is too great… she must do something to repay him.
“Senior, I naturally won’t mention you to anyone, but just walking away like this—my conscience won’t allow it!”
So saying, Gu Qiushui knelt on one knee and presented a book and a slender sword with both hands.
“These are treasures I obtained in this secret realm. Those villains were after me for these very things.”
“I have nothing else to repay you. Please, accept them as thanks!”
Chen Yuyang was momentarily stunned.
He had thought she would simply thank him and leave after his words.
He hadn’t expected her to take it so seriously.
Turning, he looked at the girl’s earnest expression.
Then he looked at the items she offered.
A seventh-grade treasure weapon, and a sword manual…
No wonder she was hunted so fiercely—these two things alone were enough to start a sect.
But what surprised Chen Yuyang most was— Gu Qiushui never gave them up to save her life from those people, yet now she offered them willingly in gratitude.
To give or not to give.
To take or not to take.
She made the distinction clearly.
Master, you truly taught a good disciple.
Such character is what true strength is founded upon.
Chen Yuyang sincerely admired her.
Since this was the case, how could he let down his Senior Sister’s goodwill?
If he did nothing, perhaps this moment would become her inner demon.
“Hahaha, you little lass, you’re quite amusing.”
“I said I want no repayment, yet you bring me treasures yourself.”
Chen Yuyang laughed, picked up the sword manual, then the sword, pretending to examine them.
“Not bad, good things both, but alas, they don’t suit me.”
“These are your fate. You should keep them.”
“But, I can’t ignore your sincerity. Little one, I appreciate your character. As it happens, I am in need of a disciple.”
“If you don’t mind, why not become my disciple?”
Gu Qiushui froze, staring blankly at the youth.
The request of this reclusive master… was for her to become his disciple!
“This…”
After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Qiushui bowed her head.
“I’m very sorry, Senior. I already have a master and a cultivation path. I’m afraid I cannot accept.”
“I know you do. The Hehuan Arts. You’re from the Hehuan Sect, right?” Chen Yuyang smiled faintly and countered.
“Senior, how did you know?”
“When I treated your injuries, I understood.” Chen Yuyang appeared inscrutable.
“Yes, Senior, but I am willing to do my best to find a suitable disciple for you, and pass on your teachings.” Gu Qiushui continued.
Chen Yuyang smiled.
“No worries, little one. What I wish to pass on is not a cultivation art, but a divine ability.”
“Divine ability?” Gu Qiushui was taken aback.
“The divine ability I wish to teach does not conflict with your current cultivation, nor do you need to switch paths.”
Chen Yuyang said calmly, hands clasped behind his back.
“In other words, becoming my disciple won’t conflict with serving your own master.”
Even in great sects, the one who teaches you your cultivation and the one who teaches you swordsmanship aren’t always the same person.
Hearing this, Gu Qiushui was truly tempted.
Divine abilities—she had heard of them.
They were evolutions of the laws of heaven and earth.
To master even one divine ability would bring immense benefit at the same realm.
“But… Senior, I cannot accept… at least, not yet.” Gu Qiushui lowered herself, bowing deeply.
“My master’s kindness is as high as the mountains. If I wish to accept your teachings, I must ask for my master’s permission.”
Chen Yuyang smiled.
That was as he expected.
“Very well. Go and ask, then.”
As he spoke, Chen Yuyang tossed out a jade token.
“This is a communication jade. Whether yes or no, use it to contact me.”
“If it is settled, I will also contact you through it.”
Taking the token, Gu Qiushui gripped it tightly and bowed deeply again to Chen Yuyang.
“Thank you, Senior!”
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