The Weight of Departure

Ning Wanzhuang, however, did not simply cast Gu Bei aside to Yu Qiuqiao.

Instead, she allowed him a brief reprieve to converse with his sect members, and only after leaving behind a Nascent Soul stage guest elder with a few parting instructions did she finally depart.

“I am indebted to you, Senior,” Gu Bei greeted, clasping his hands respectfully.

“I wouldn’t dare presume to be your senior,” the Nascent Soul guest elder replied with a gentle smile, shaking their head. “After all, both of us serve under the Young Master.”

Gu Bei couldn’t help but feel a touch of emotion, recognizing that the Young Master of the Immortal Alliance truly was in a league of their own.

He had almost been fooled by his previous encounters, where she seemed so approachable, as if there were no barriers at all.

It was as though Ning Wanzhuang was easy to meet.

In reality, she could casually dispatch a Nascent Soul cultivator with but a wave of her hand.

“Then, may I be so bold as to address you as Dao Brother?”

“That would be most fitting.”

Gu Bei did not inquire about the Nascent Soul cultivator’s name, nor did the cultivator offer any further information.

Their interaction remained strictly formal.

Logically, Gu Bei should have pressed the Nascent Soul cultivator for more details about Ning Wanzhuang’s side, to better understand the circumstances of his future workplace.

Yet, he refrained from doing so.

After all, he wasn’t truly going to work for them long-term; it was merely a temporary stint.

Asking too many questions might even be considered impolite.

****

Meanwhile, the Minor Sword Sect remained blissfully unaware of the sudden tempest that had swept through Sanchuan Prefecture over the past two days.

On the mountain, life continued in tranquil serenity.

Only two days had passed since Gu Bei left the mountain and returned with reinforcements.

The residents of Sanchuan Prefecture’s capital city had barely registered the events, let alone the secluded Minor Sword Sect.

Since Song Ting had bid farewell to Gu Bei when he departed, the Minor Sword Sect wasn’t surprised by Gu Bei’s sudden absence.

However, the notion of Ning Wanzhuang suddenly whisking Gu Bei away for three years met with unanimous disapproval from everyone within the Minor Sword Sect.

“Oh, so our Chief Gu takes one trip out and suddenly becomes Fairy Ning’s person,” Yun Qingyi remarked, her voice laced with a cold sneer as she held her teacup. “Then how am I, Qingyi, supposed to conduct myself within your Minor Sword Sect?”

Truth be told, the fact that she hadn’t splashed him with the tea was already a sign of considerable restraint.

“It’s just three years of work, and I’ll be back after that… cultivating doesn’t mark time, it’ll pass by quickly, very quickly,” Gu Bei responded, knowing full well that this arrangement was somewhat underhanded. “The main thing is, a while ago…”

He wore a placating smile, pondering how best to explain the situation.

He had no intention of concealing anything, yet, to be frank, Ning Wanzhuang had arrived, slain a group of people, and then Yu Qiuqiao had followed, eliminating everyone else who remained.

Both of them had departed without offering him any explanation.

Although he was the one who had summoned them, he, the supposed insider, was ironically unclear about the full scope of what had transpired.

“A while ago, I stirred up some trouble, a… catastrophic disaster, really… which might have dragged the Minor Sword Sect down with it.

So I sought help from Fairy Ning.

She was quite righteous about it, but she asked me to work for her for three years.”

“…” While Yun Qingyi could accept this explanation intellectually, it proved difficult for her emotionally. “You know your ‘junior brother’ has always had an opinion of me, and your master is no different.”

“So… perhaps you could be a little more accommodating?” Gu Bei asked, a warm smile on his face as he moved behind Yun Qingyi, placing his hands on her shoulders and gently kneading the fairy’s fragrant shoulders with a hint of flattery.

Yun Qingyi glanced back, her brow furrowed as she observed Gu Bei’s fawning expression.

After a long moment, she returned her gaze to her tea, taking a delicate sip.

“Not enough.”

“Huh?”

“You, Gu Buqi, coaxed me here, and I’ve toiled for your Minor Sword Sect for years without receiving proper recognition.

Now you expect me to endure another three years?

This small attempt at flattery is simply insufficient.”

“Then, what does Fairy Yun suggest?”

Gu Bei showed no intention of refusing, continuing to knead her shoulders as he asked, his tone mild and smiling.

It was Yun Qingyi who found herself momentarily stumped.

Indeed, what else could she ask for?

This fellow possessed so little in total.

She had already claimed half of the Minor Sword Sect’s authority, and Gu Bei himself could truthfully be described as having nothing of value.

She stared blankly at the gently swirling tea in her cup.

Then, she sighed softly.

“I truly owe you…”

Gu Bei felt a bit awkward.

Anything he might say now would seem a little…

Ugh…

‘Scummy.’

“Put some effort into it.”

“Alright, alright.”

As Yun Qingyi saw him out, the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Seeing his sheepish, good-for-nothing expression, her fury surged even higher.

Initially, she had thought to be a little gentler, considering they wouldn’t see each other for three years.

However, his very demeanor inexplicably reminded her of all the grievances she had suffered since being coaxed here years ago.

Thus, in a most un-fairy-like fashion, she lifted her long leg and delivered a swift kick to his person.

Gu Bei stumbled from the impact.

The door behind him slammed shut with a bang.

Gu Bei let out a wry chuckle.

That’s why, he mused, it wasn’t always good for an employee and boss to be too close.

If it were a purely employer-employee relationship, he would simply pay, and Guest Elder Yun would take the money, and that would be the end of it.

Should they ever grow tired of each other, they could simply part ways.

But it had ended up like this…

The main issue was that the Minor Sword Sect truly couldn’t function without Yun Qingyi.

Nan Jiumu was still at the Qi Refining stage, and Wenren Qingluan was also only at Qi Refining.

They might not even be able to complete the tasks assigned by the Immortal Alliance to ninth-rank sects, let alone keep the sect running smoothly.

If the only elder within the sect was his master, and she were to leave, then only two Qi Refining cultivators would remain.

He feared what unforeseen incidents might occur.

If there were a Foundation Establishment cultivator within the sect, things would be much better.

They wouldn’t be so financially strained even if they pursued the ‘New Sect Prodigy Plan’.

****

The moment Gu Bei stepped out, Nan Jiumu immediately blocked his path.

However, Nan Jiumu was far easier to persuade than Yun Qingyi.

Having spent so much time with him, Gu Bei understood his personality well.

He simply needed to phrase things differently.

“Your Senior Brother believes that if I were to linger within the Minor Sword Sect, I might, at best, only achieve Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.

Since I have this opportunity to leave, if I can achieve something significant with Fairy Ning, the impact upon my return will be even greater.

Besides, Jiumu, haven’t you always wanted to help your Senior Brother?

Let’s try it this way: during the three years I’m gone, take good care of the Minor Sword Sect and await my return.”

“If that is the case, then Jiumu supports Senior Brother—but are you truly not being coerced by that person?” Nan Jiumu asked, a hint of suspicion clouding his gentle, dignified features.

“What reason would they have to coerce me?”

“That’s true… Since Senior Brother feels this way, Jiumu wishes you a brilliant future—but will you truly return?”

“Of course I will.”

The hurdle of Nan Jiumu was easily cleared.

Little Qingluan, on the other hand, was even more straightforward.

The junior sister merely asked, “Will I still be able to call you Senior Brother after this?”

After receiving Gu Bei’s affirmative answer, she had no further objections.

She only left him with one remark: “If Senior Brother doesn’t come back then, Qingluan will come find you, okay?”

The junior sister’s innocent and adorable words made Gu Bei feel the warmth of a dutiful child (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘xiǎo mián’ǎo,’ referring to a beloved child, often a daughter, who brings comfort and warmth to their parents), and he nodded with a smile, stroking Little Qingluan’s hair. “Alright, if Senior Brother can’t come back then, Little Qingluan can come and bring him home.”

The junior sister proudly twitched her nose.

And then, right there, she broke through to the peak of the Qi Refining stage.

“Qingluan is going to prepare for Foundation Establishment now, Senior Brother, goodbye!”

“Oh, good—goodbye…” Gu Bei stammered, staring dumbfounded as his junior sister waved back at him and ran off.

She’s already at the ninth stage?

Hiss…

Could this girl have been fooling me all this time…?

No, no, Little Qingluan is so young, how could she have so many tricks up her sleeve?

Gu Bei found himself questioning life for a moment, but quickly dismissed the thought.

****

Next was his master…

Gu Bei walked to Mu Qingsi’s door, took a deep breath to compose himself, and knocked.

“Master?”

No response.

“Master, I’m coming in?”

No response.

Gu Bei pushed the door open and entered.

Mu Qingsi sat expressionlessly in the center of the room, her hands folded on her lap, watching him.

To be honest, it was a little unsettling.

“Why bother coming back?” Mu Qingsi asked, her voice flat and devoid of emotion. “You don’t listen to your master anyway.

Go find Ning Changxi; why return here?”

“Your wings have hardened, and you wish to fly.

Very well, then fly.

Go find Ning Changxi.”

“After all, your master merely saved you and raised you to this age.”

Gu Bei pondered for a moment, then sat down opposite Mu Qingsi.

Before he could even speak, Mu Qingsi said coldly, “Indeed, now you sit opposite your master.

If Ning Changxi guides you for a while, will you return with a new master?”

“It’s only for three years.

I’ll be back after three years.

How could I possibly gain a new master?” Gu Bei asked with a gentle smile.

“Do you… no longer like your master?”

This question seemed to break Mu Qingsi herself, causing her defenses to crumble.

Gu Bei froze.

The fairy master’s eyes suddenly reddened, and her serene, ethereal face was instantly streaked with tears, like pear blossoms after a spring rain.

Even her usually cool and clear voice became choked with emotion.

His heart nearly shattered.

He sighed softly.

After some thought, he decided to tell her the truth.

“Master, in this mortal world, nine out of ten things go awry.

Ning Wanzhuang demanded my presence, and I had no other choice.

The Minor Sword Sect was preserved by her, and the demands and conditions she put forth were, naturally, those I had agreed to from the very beginning.

Your disciple is truly inept.”

“Of course you’re inept!

But who ever demanded anything of you?

Inept or not, your master—”

“Master,” Gu Bei interjected, meeting Mu Qingsi’s gaze. “Your disciple is indeed inept.

I had always intended to repay your boundless kindness, knowing that you wished to establish a sect and see it flourish.

I was prepared to toil tirelessly, expending all my energy to help you achieve your heart’s desire.”

“Wh-what do you mean…” Mu Qingsi’s voice trembled slightly.

“However, my will is strong, but my strength is insufficient.

Dealing with the endless stream of mundane affairs, like fawning over influential figures , has left your disciple utterly exhausted.

Even though I burn with anxiety every single day, I can barely keep the sect running.

Master, you often chided your disciple for associating with all sorts of people, but given our humble origins, these are the only connections we could possibly forge.”

“Master, your disciple is inept.

I had hoped to shield your robes from these mundane and sordid affairs, but now I must speak plainly.

The Minor Sword Sect lacks much.

Within the sect, there are only three disciples, including myself.

As for those who teach artifact forging, alchemy, array formations, and talismans, your disciple could only teach himself and then personally instruct others.

Master, you must bear this in mind from now on.”

“Your disciple is inept.

For years, I have lived in constant apprehension, and to this day, I have yet to accumulate a complete grand protective array for the sect.

The sect’s only assets are a few crude spirit-gathering arrays and two sets of low-grade magical artifacts barely sufficient for Junior Brother and Junior Sister to use until the late Foundation Establishment stage.

I had hoped that in another two years, your disciple might learn artifact forging and alchemy, at which point the situation would improve.

But alas, the world is ever-changing.

Master, you are aware of your disciple’s journey to Sanchuan.

Your disciple was inadvertently embroiled in the conflicts between the Immortal Alliance, the Xiaoyao, and even the Imperial Court, and now I am no longer my own master.”

“Master, you asked if your disciple no longer likes you.

Of course I do; I like you immensely.

But precisely because of this, my departure for three years leaves you as the one your disciple worries about most within the sect.”

“Your disciple is inept.

I had intended to stay by your side and live out this remaining life, but now it seems I must depart.

Before I go, there are some words I must impart to you, Master.”

“After your disciple leaves, for external affairs that are undecided, consult Guest Elder Yun Qingyi.

Guest Elder Yun’s character and abilities both surpass your disciple’s.

Master, you must be more tolerant when interacting with her, lest her heart be chilled.”

“Should you encounter unresolved internal matters, consult Junior Brother Nan Jiumu.

Junior Brother’s talent for cultivation, handling affairs, and learning far exceeds your disciple’s.

Having studied and observed your disciple handle sect matters for so many years, he must have gained much.”

Gu Bei wanted to say more, but hesitated, choosing to remain silent.

He rose, letting out a long sigh. “It is not your disciple’s arrogance or disrespect speaking, but rather the confusion of concern at the moment of departure.

I hope Master will be magnanimous.”

“After your disciple leaves, the future situation remains unclear.

From now on, the Minor Sword Sect will require Master to manage it personally.”

“And there will be no one else to protect and coax Master in this manner.”

Mu Qingsi did not know what to do.

Tears streamed down her face, and she sobbed uncontrollably, wishing to speak but finding herself speechless.

Ultimately, a thousand words condensed into one sentence.

“Buqi, Buqi, please… please don’t go, alright?

Master has a way… if worst comes to worst… if worst comes to worst…” Mu Qingsi stumbled to her feet from the chair and clutched Gu Bei’s hand.

“Master, do not be willful.

Besides, it is merely three years.

Master, take good care of yourself.

For a Nascent Soul cultivator, three years pass in the blink of an eye, like fleeting clouds.

Your disciple will return punctually after three years.” Gu Bei patted his master’s hand reassuringly.

Then, he stood up and bid farewell.

“Master, your disciple is leaving now.

Please… take care of yourself.”

Gu Bei reached the door, turned back one last time, and bowed deeply.

Only a sigh remained, and Mu Qingsi, weeping helplessly within the room.