Lingering Bonds and Urgent Departures

“Stubborn.”

Zhuang Xun merely uttered two words.

Then he summoned his spirit sword, preparing to depart on it.

Unexpectedly, Qin Zhaoyu flung out a spirit talisman.

A tremendous pressure immediately descended upon Zhuang Xun, binding him in place.

“It’s precisely my stubbornness that brought me to where I am today….”

“And Master… you’ve actually been supporting me from behind the scenes these past two years….”

“Eliminating various troubles for me….”

“Haven’t you…?”

“…….”

Qin Zhaoyu slowly walked behind Zhuang Xun.

She extended her arms, gently embracing his lower back.

Then, she rested her head against his back.

“Now, I’ve achieved a little success….”

“Master….”

“Will you take me as your disciple once more?”

“…..”

“With you as you are now, speak to me again when you can withstand three of my moves.”

Zhuang Xun’s expression remained indifferent. His sword intent solidified, and he broke free from her grasp, seemingly unaffected by the immense pressure of the spirit talisman.

He leaped into the sky, soaring away on his sword.

“….”

“Three moves… that’s enough….”

As Zhuang Xun’s receding figure reflected in her eyes, a silver-white spirit sword materialized in Qin Zhaoyu’s hand.

She gathered spiritual energy at her feet, then shot forth like a meteor.

‘Master… this time, I will surely earn your approval!’

****

Perched on his sword, Zhuang Xun clutched his chest, his face noticeably pale.

‘Damn it….’

‘He had only just recovered.’

‘To be suppressed by his own disciple using the power of heaven and earth….’

‘What incredibly bad luck…’

He wasn’t entirely unable to comprehend Qin Zhaoyu’s actions.

After all, he had personally raised and taught her since childhood.

He had handled everything himself, and for most of their time, it was just the two of them.

In Zhuang Xun’s view, the emotional bond forged over years of accumulation was even closer than that of an ordinary father and daughter.

Such a connection was not easily severed.

Yet, he, acting as this ‘father,’ had one day suddenly driven his obedient ‘daughter’ from their home.

He had demanded she never return and had even moved their ‘home.’

Any normal person would harbor resentment and confusion in their heart.

Especially after such a long time, to encounter this ‘father’ again, and at a moment when he was in such a sorry state…

It was already fortunate that she hadn’t subjected him to cold mockery.

As for why she had brought her mouth so close, it was likely to vent some underlying emotion.

However, now was hardly the time for reminiscing.

He still had many subsequent matters to attend to, and they needed to be resolved swiftly.

“Speaking of which, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this tearing sensation in my chest…”

“I truly miss the omnipotent self I was back then….”

Swish!

“!”

Zhuang Xun instantly felt a chill descend upon his back.

He dodged sideways, and a fierce, domineering sword light flashed past his eyes in an instant.

Gulp~

Just as he was momentarily dazed, dozens of scorching sword qi streaks assailed him.

The intense heat seemed to seal off the space around him, stirring up waves of searing air.

“What are you trying to do, you brat?”

Zhuang Xun’s figure blurred, allowing the dozens of sword qi to pass through his afterimages, as he tried his best to keep his tone calm.

Yet, the only response he received was a storm of attacks, wave after relentless wave.

It was like a raging inferno fanned by a gentle breeze, burning ever more fiercely.

Swish, swish, swish!

Flaws appeared everywhere.

Zhuang Xun’s gaze sharpened, and a Taiji image flickered in his pupils.

In the space of a single breath, a sword-finger strike shattered the myriad sword shadows filling the sky.

Immediately after, he seized a fleeting shadow and unleashed a seemingly ordinary palm strike.

Bang!

The palm strike solidly connected with a physical body, and a shockwave of air instantly blasted outward for a hundred meters.

All the clouds around Zhuang Xun were scattered.

“….”

“Ugh….”

Qin Zhaoyu’s figure gradually materialized, Zhuang Xun’s palm having landed precisely on her Dantian.

The intense pain, as if struck by a massive, ten-thousand-pound hammer, caused her to temporarily lose all mobility.

“What exactly do you want, you brat?”

Zhuang Xun’s voice remained as calm as ever, devoid of any surprise or anger.

“…..”

“Master….”

“You still held back….”

Qin Zhaoyu’s voice carried a hint of fatigue.

Her body gradually weakened, her limbs feeling drained, and she collapsed against Zhuang Xun.

As she felt the familiar warmth and the comforting embrace, Qin Zhaoyu’s taut nerves finally began to relax.

“Had I not held back, your Golden Core would have been shattered by now.”

Zhuang Xun watched her, looking utterly exhausted and seeking rest in his arms, and shook his head slightly.

He allowed her hands to wrap around his waist, letting her rest her head against his chest.

His heart, ultimately, had not become as cold as the Grand Dao itself.

He still couldn’t bring himself to be completely ruthless towards her.

“…….”

“Master….”

“Can we perhaps sit down and talk properly now….”

Qin Zhaoyu’s voice was exceptionally soft at this moment, as if she were coaxing him.

“…….”

“After I finish what I need to do.”

If he didn’t agree, he suspected this girl would undoubtedly concoct even more schemes.

Zhuang Xun resigned himself, especially since his body was not feeling well at the moment.

It was better to humor her for now.

“Alright.”

She continued to lie quietly in his embrace, cherishing the long-lost warmth.

****

It was midday.

Shangwen and Shangwu sat on stone stools by a cleaned-up rock garden in the Jiang Manor’s backyard, idly arranging black and white pieces on a stone table.

“Brother, how much longer are we going to sit here?” Shangwen sounded a bit impatient, tapping on the chessboard.

“We wait, until our fellow Daoist returns.”

“But it’s been three hours already, and there’s not a single word from them.”

“Alright, perhaps our fellow Daoist is currently occupied.”

Shangwu, though unsure of the sudden appearance of the woman, understood the situation.

From their actions, it was clear their relationship was far from ordinary.

“By the heavens… it’s broad daylight! Could our fellow Daoist truly enjoy such daytime revelry?”

As soon as Shangwen opened his mouth, he became entirely improper.

“Don’t guess wildly. One’s personal preferences shouldn’t be casually discussed.”

“Indeed, don’t spread baseless rumors and tarnish my reputation.”

Zhuang Xun’s voice drifted from the distant sky, growing closer, before he landed beside them.

“…..”

Shangwen scrutinized Zhuang Xun from head to toe, paying particular attention to the beautiful young woman in his arms.

Suddenly, he had an epiphany. “I understand now. Our fellow Daoist must be one of those who are extremely concerned with appearances.”

“How could that be…”

Zhuang Xun’s shoulder twitched slightly, and he transmitted a message: [It’s about time. You should let go of me in front of others, shouldn’t you?]

Hearing this, Qin Zhaoyu reluctantly detached herself from Zhuang Xun’s embrace.

She then bowed respectfully to Shangwen and Shangwu. “This junior, Qin Zhaoyu, is a disciple of my esteemed master.”

“I have been searching for my master’s whereabouts these past few years, and to finally find him now has filled me with excessive joy…”

“I ask for your forgiveness, both seniors.”

“No matter, it’s only human nature.”

Shangwu returned the bow, acting as if he hadn’t witnessed the preceding scene.

If someone claimed these two had an ordinary master-disciple relationship, who would believe them?

At least in his opinion, one of them clearly harbored feelings beyond the scope of mentorship.

However…

He couldn’t say much about other people’s private affairs.

“Oh, right, fellow Daoist. Regarding the mother and daughter, we have already arranged everything with the Jiang Manor’s patriarch.”

“They can now accompany us, and we can attend to their recuperation at any time.”

“In that case, we shouldn’t delay. After I help them recuperate, we shall prepare to head to the next location.”

“Are you in such a hurry, fellow Daoist?” Shangwen inquired.

“We’ve caused such a commotion here. I believe news of these events will soon reach the Imperial City.”

“At that time, if they seek us out, things will likely become much more troublesome.”

Zhuang Xun did not wish to prolong their stay unnecessarily.

According to his original timeline, the elder from the Mystic Maiden Palace would soon arrive to take Jiang Lishuang away.

If they continued to linger here, the possibility of unforeseen complications arising was substantial.

Therefore, he had done all he could.

Jiang Lishuang was now free from her childhood trauma, ensuring her future cultivation would be unhindered by inner demons.

As for whether she and Qin Zhaoyu would meet later and experience a series of conflicts…

That was beyond his control.

However, he could still control the timing of their first encounter.