Chapter 370: Who is more handsome?

After they returned, the gate leading to the Back Mountain had already begun to be dismantled.

I don't know if it was because of Qiao Chu's influence just now, but Yue Yun was quiet this time; she didn't oppose dismantling the gate anymore, and instead recorded the relevant data.

When she got serious, she actually seemed quite like the senior sister of the sect.

Seeing that she finally stopped throwing childish tantrums, Qilin smiled at Qiao Chu.

He naturally thought it was Qiao Chu's merit.

Qiao Chu maintained a modest and gentle demeanor throughout, and also smiled at Qilin.

"Little Qilin." Gu Rongjin called back Qilin's attention.

Qilin suddenly said: "From now on, in front of outsiders, don't add the little character when calling me."

Gu Rongjin couldn't help but laugh: "Who was jealous of Pei Di back then, making us call you Little Qilin, and now you suddenly want to put on the airs of a master?"

Qilin's ears instantly turned red: "Past is past, present is present; in short, just call me Qilin."

"But it's hard to change a habit!"

Mu Yuanzhi laughed and patted Gu Rongjin: "Alright, don't tease him."

"Just spoil him!" Gu Rongjin feigned helplessness and shook his head: "Okay, okay, okay, you can call me Qilin the Great."

"No need, after all, you are my nominal master anyway."

At this moment, the iron gate, under the craftsmen's efforts, had been taken down and slowly fell to the ground under the hemp-rope saw.

The ironsmith Qilin invited from beneath the valley was renowned; in his estimate, this iron gate could be made into two full-body armor sets, just enough for him and Gu Rongjin.

"Master, estimate how many days it will take to finish," Qilin asked.

"Three days will do!" the ironsmith master said confidently.

Three days, three days later it's New Year's Eve; perfect, we can come back and enjoy the reunion meal!

"Thank you for your trouble, Master; if you have any questions about the design drawings, feel free to ask my senior sister," Qilin said.

"No problem, Valley Master, please rest assured; this old one will certainly complete the task on time and to quality!"

Qilin nodded satisfactorily and said to Mu Yuanzhi and the others: "Let's head back first."

Mu Yuanzhi: "I'll stay behind; I also want to study this iron."

"Since you're staying, I'll naturally stay as well," Gu Rongjin said.

"You're both staying, so I..."

Before Qilin could finish, Gu Rongjin interrupted: "You need to go back and bring our child."

"I... alright." Qilin nodded.

With no one to watch the two little beans, who knows what mischief they'll get up to; besides, we can't let them run wild all over the valley.

"They're very easy to handle, extremely well-behaved," Mu Yuanzhi laughed.

Gu Rongjin smiled: "Yes."

Qilin always felt Gu Rongjin's smile had hidden meaning, but he didn't pay it mind, thinking the other was just gloating over his misfortune.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to greet his two disciples to come along as well.

Qilin arrived at the underground palace; the two children were obediently reading.

This was Mu Yuanzhi's requirement: each morning they must spend at least an hour reading, then practice cultivation, practice calligraphy, and other arts like music, chess, calligraphy, painting must not be neglected.

Qilin doesn't like reading; his literacy extends only to recognizing characters and uttering idioms, let alone composing a poem—surely impossible.

I hope they don't have any profound questions to ask him.

Just then, Mu Yuemo took his Book of Songs and asked: "Uncle uncle uncle! Here! Look at this!"

Before Qilin could even look, his head started to ache.

Indeed, whatever one fears will come!

How could he tactfully hint to the children? He had no idea!

He had only skimmed the Book of Songs once!

Qilin cleared his throat, forced a smile, and as the children's sparkling eyes approached him, the book before him seemed like a toothy, clawed monster.

"What does this sentence mean? I kind of get it but also kind of don't," Mu Yuemo asked, blinking.

At that moment, a hand reached over, and its owner's clear, mellow voice said: "The meaning here is..."

Although Qilin didn't understand Qiao Chu's words, it didn't stop him from looking at Qiao Chu with gratitude.

What timely help! Good disciple! Not wasted affection!

Mu Yuemo listened attentively, and Gu Yutong also gathered around; the two little rascals began to pester Qiao Chu with questions east and west.

Qilin felt as if a burden had been lifted—great!

After the children finished studying, they again clamored to go outside to play.

Balancing work and rest, Qilin also did not stop them.

But where should they go to play?

"Where do you want to go play?" Qilin asked.

The two little rascals looked at each other, racking their little brains, but couldn't think of a good place to play, and gazed hopefully at Qilin, wishing their uncle would come up with an idea.

"How about building a snowman?"

The snow on the valley melts slowly; at this time there is still plenty of accumulated snow.

Just thinking about building a snowman, the children instantly got excited!

"Great! Build a snowman!"

Gu Yutong reached out and tugged at Qiao Chu: "Qiao Chu brother, are you coming too?"

Qilin crossed his arms: "What, because Qiao Chu brother is handsome?"

Qiao Chu couldn't help but laugh.

"Mm!" Gu Yutong nodded vigorously.

Qilin: ……

"Is Brother Qiao Chu more handsome or Uncle more handsome?"

It's obvious that Qilin is jealous again.

This little niece of mine! She used to cling to him, and now she's started clinging to Qiao Chu—what an insensible little brat!

Gu Yutong thought for a moment, then said: "Both are handsome!"

"Hmph, that's about right."

At such a young age, you already know how to be fair? Mu Yumo showed disdain: "You're just muddying the waters!"

Gu Yutong objected: "What does 'muddying the waters' mean? Brother Qiao Chu and Uncle Qilin each have their own kind of handsomeness, so who do you think is more handsome?"

She kicked the ball to her brother.

Mu Yumo was instantly speechless—was he lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot?

"I—I think Uncle Qilin is more handsome!"

"What great taste!" Qilin, after getting excited, then realized this wasn't quite the demeanor a teacher should have, and hastily coughed to cover it up.

Qiao Chu: "Let's go build a snowman."

He took Mu Yumo's hand and walked.

Gu Yutong didn't understand: Brother clearly said Uncle was a bit more handsome, so why is Brother Qiao Chu holding Brother's hand and walking?

"Come on, little fangirl." Qilin took hold of Gu Yutong, who was only gazing at Qiao Chu's back.

Gu Yutong sighed helplessly: "Uncle, you've been jealous for too long—people said you're equally handsome, don't throw a tantrum!"

"You're young but sharp-tongued; someday you'll have the noble children of the capital spinning from your chatter," Qilin teased.

"That won't happen; Mother said young ladies must be reserved, have dignity, be appropriately aloof, and not casually give looks to boys," Gu Yutong said with great conviction.

Qilin couldn't help laughing: "I don't see any of those qualities in you."

Gu Yutong puffed her cheeks: "Uncle, you're so annoying—I'm still cultivating!"

"All right, all right, when you're a bit older, Uncle will teach you true cultivation, and I'll pass on all the secret techniques to you!"