Chapter 359: No One Else Matters

Gu Rongjin looked at this prosperous small town.

Juechen Valley is in the martial world, yet far from its turmoil, hidden in this land like a paradise beyond the world; outside sects fear Juechen Valley, not daring to scheme against it lightly, but they eye it covetously.

As soon as Gu Rongjin arrived here, he could feel the undercurrents surging in the air.

It seems many other forces are hidden here.

This supposed paradise seems to deserve a question mark.

Mu Yuanzhi: "He said that, but I don't know if it's true or if the little one just doesn't want to worry the parents."

"You parents really love to worry needlessly; since you can't relax, why not retire early and return to the countryside, becoming a wandering hero here?"

"What is a wandering hero?" Gu Yutian blinked her bright eyes and looked up to ask her parents.

Gu Rongjin scooped up his daughter, about to explain, when Mu Yumo said proudly: "Not understanding this? It simply means someone who roams the martial world, doing righteous deeds!"

"Like Uncle?" Gu Yutian seemed to understand.

Gu Rongjin: "... That's not entirely wrong, though, does that little one practice righteousness?"

Mu Yuanzhi spoke for her junior brother: "Our little Qilin has a heart for righteousness; don't pick on him."

"When did I pick on him?" Gu Rongjin gestured for Mu Yuanzhi to look at the soy milk stall ahead, saying: "Let's get something to eat first, then go up the mountain?"

The two little beans, hearing they would eat, got excited: "Soy milk, soy milk! I want fried dough sticks with sauce!"

Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "Sure, I'm hungry too."

Although Mu Yuanzhi is from Juechen Valley, this is her first time visiting; everything seems fresh, and she is naturally interested in the food, drink, and entertainment here.

They sat down and ordered four bowls of soy milk, a plate of fried dough sticks, and several plates of plum blossom pastries.

The two little rascals are well‑mannered; even when out and craving, they still eat elegantly. Gu Rongjin felt relieved—he himself wasn't as graceful as those two beans.

"Little Yuanzhi, try this piece of plum blossom pastry—mine is especially tasty." Gu Rongjin's hand itched to feed her again.

Mu Yuanzhi gladly accepted Gu Rongjin's feeding and ate happily.

Beside them, Mu Yumo saw and whispered to her sister: "Father always teaches us not to speak while eating or sleeping, yet he keeps breaking the rule himself."

"Father is always double‑standard; those tricks he used to woo Mother, I've seen them so often I'm not surprised." Gu Yutian spread her hands like a little adult.

Mu Yumo: "That's good; this way, when you grow up you won't be easily fooled by men."

"What kind of young master am I? So easily deceived? Even compared to Father, I find that unacceptable."

"You're only how old and you already understand?"

"I'm smart, unlike you!"

"Why do you always step on your brother? Your brother is a dragon among men!"

"You don't see it! Your sword‑dancing and spear‑playing aren't as good as mine!"

"You! That's only because I let you win!"

Mu Yuanzhi grabbed one with one hand: "Eating, why all the talk? Sit nicely and eat."

"Right, I was just praising you in my heart, and now you're undisciplined?" Gu Rongjin deliberately put on a stern father's air.

Mu Yumo stuck out her tongue: "It's all your fault, Father—when the beam is crooked, the roof tilts."

"Little brat……" Gu Rongjin's mouth twitched.

Just as they were bickering father‑son, a table nearby filled with people radiating martial‑world aura set down their swords and began chatting loudly.

"What's the background of that Cold Dew Stronghold? In just three years it's become this powerful—could it be a sect reborn?"

"Who knows? A sudden killer organization, terrifying—already several sects have been wiped out by them, not just minor ones; even the Lone Wind Sect has fallen!"

"Let's lay low in Juechen Valley for now; the martial world is in panic!"

At that moment, the waiter came to ask what they wanted, and these people fell silent to order.

Gu Rongjin listened, and without realizing he began to pay attention to their mention of the Cold Dew Stronghold, perhaps because both share a solar‑term naming connection.

But he is ultimately not a martial‑world person, so he isn't very interested in all this turmoil.

Mu Yuanzhi also paid attention; although she isn't a martial‑world person, the Qilin is part of it, and such a major event would surely concern the Qilin as well.

Perhaps not only other sects' people are in this Juechen Valley town—maybe members of the Cold Dew Stronghold are mixed in too.

No wonder the atmosphere here always feels a bit off.

After eating, Mu Yuanzhi felt they shouldn't linger; it would be better to head up the mountain soon.

She exchanged a glance with Gu Rongjin, who understood and tightened his grip on the two little beans' hands.

"You two, stick close to Mom and Dad, don't run around." Gu Rongjin reminded them.

Little Gu Yutian and Mu Yumo nodded obediently.

The distance from here to Juechen Valley's valley is about half a town; Mu Yuanzhi consulted the map, and along the way she could see several outposts disguised as stalls, but her keen eyes spotted Juechen Valley's markings.

Though the town isn't large, it's very lively; its prosperity rivals that of an ordinary county. When they arrived it was already dusk, night falling, and many lights had been lit.

One can see that the night market here is also bustling.

They didn't linger, heading straight for the valley.

By the time they reached the foot of the valley, the lights were just lit; a river lay between the valley and the town, requiring a boat to cross. Gu Rongjin looked across and saw many guards on the far bank, the gate to the valley tightly shut.

Only one boat was moored at the shore; the boatman, seeing them, came over smiling and asked: "You must be Miss Mu!"

Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "Are you here to fetch us?"

Presumably there are no other boats because the valley isn't freely accessible.

The boatman nodded, made a gesturing invitation, and said: "The Valley Master ordered me to wait here for the miss at first light; I didn't dare delay, I've waited all day, and at last you've arrived."

At that moment, a graceful youth stepped off the boat, about the same age as the Qilin years ago but looking more mature, dressed in spotless white robes, and he bowed, saying: "Junior Qiao Chu, greetings, Senior Uncle."

Senior Uncle?

Could this be the Qilin's disciple? He's so big!

Mu Yuanzhi returned a smile and asked: "Are you the Qilin's …?"

"I am an unworthy closed-door disciple of my master," Qiao Chu said, smiling brightly as they introduced themselves.

Gu Rongjin almost couldn't hold back laughter.

Even this little Qilin has become a human master?

One could say this person is more like a role model for people.

"Hasn't your master introduced me to you?" Gu Rongjin asked.

Qiao Chu sized up Gu Rongjin and said, "My master only said that the senior uncle and the young lord and miss would come; he also said that others are not important."