Chapter 384: Longevity Lock

Mu Yuanzhi was speechless: "You, as a father, are still laughing!"

After she said that, Gu Rongjin solemnly looked at Gu Yutong: "Little Tong, fire starters are too dangerous for children; if you research them alone and something happens, what then?"

"I wasn't alone! Although I shouldn't have not told Mother, I did have an adult present—Lord Sima was beside me giving me a hand—but Mother, don't worry, I didn't show him the design drawings, and he even praised me for being smart and cautious at such a young age." Gu Yutong said, examining himself sincerely while showing off his cleverness.

Mu Yuanzhi sighed helplessly: "Having this awareness is still smart; next time don't sneak around—if you want to research something, just tell Mother."

"I wasn't trying to surprise you……there won't be a next time!" Gu Yutong hugged Mu Yuanzhi and acted coquettishly; she took the opportunity to offer the popped glutinous rice to Mother, saying sweetly: "Mother, try some, it's delicious!"

The daughter's sweet, coquettish behavior almost dissipated Mu Yuanzhi's anger; she opened her mouth and ate the popped glutinous rice, praising: "Delicious! But this can't happen again!"

"Understood, daughter will keep it in mind!"

"Mother hasn't eaten the shrimp I peeled yet!" Not wanting to be outdone, Mu Yumo hurriedly also placed the shrimp he had peeled beside Mu Yuanzhi's mouth.

Gu Rongjin rested his chin on his hand and sighed: "Human relations are so fickle—doesn't anyone care about this old father of mine?"

"Father should also eat the popped glutinous rice!" Gu Yutong hurriedly went to offer it to his father.

Mu Yumo then asked Mu Yuanzhi: "Mother, should this shrimp be given to Father to eat?"

Gu Rongjin nearly toppled over: "You still have to ask whether Mother will give it or not? I'm defeated—truly a filial son!"

Mu Yuanzhi looked provocatively at Gu Rongjin: "Do you know your family status is low now?"

"I feel sad, Little Yuanzhi, my son isn't close to me!"

Mu Yumo anxiously glanced at Gu Rongjin, but in the end still had to wait for Mu Yuanzhi's answer.

"Let Father also have a taste, see how pitiful he looks." Mu Yuanzhi gave a rather helpless expression.

Gu Rongjin felt wronged.

Upon hearing that, Mu Yumo happily also shared the shrimp with his father.

The heartbroken old father couldn't be consoled: "I can't eat it."

"Father! Don't be angry, next time Mo'er will also peel a plate for you!" Mu Yumo promised, his little eyes flashing with determined light.

Gu Rongjin scooped up his son and placed him on his lap: "Little devil, you now know how to win your father's favor? Too late."

"Father, eat the shrimp!" Mu Yumo directly fed it, stuffing it into Gu Rongjin's mouth: "After eating the shrimp, you can't be angry at Mo'er!"

"This is forced buying and selling!" Gu Rongjin, chewing the shrimp, spoke indistinctly, already made to grin ear-to-ear by his son, laughing happily.

Qilin watched their family of four enjoying themselves, suddenly feeling deeply moved.

It's wonderful that Senior Sister is now so happy!

If Master knew, he would certainly be very happy as well.

Recalling how the three of them master and disciples trained together, it seems like just yesterday—when Senior Sister was still little, now she has established a family and career, with a husband who loves her deeply and a pair of smart, fine children.

"Valley Master!"

Someone came rushing to report, his face full of joy.

The messenger leaned close to Qilin's ear and said: "Valley Master, Master Yuan Yan has returned!"

Upon hearing that, Qilin rose to his feet.

At last he's returned!

"Qilin, what's happened?" Mu Yuanzhi asked curiously.

She saw Qilin was urgent, but his expression showed no tension at all, so she thought it couldn't be a bad thing.

Qilin: "Yuan Yan has returned!"

Gu Rongjin: "At last he's back; this family can't do without him!"

"He just… cough… looks after the gate… I'll go pick him up first."

Midway through speaking, Qilin realized everyone in Juechen Valley was present, so he ought to speak a bit more properly.

It's all because he's habitually contrarian!

Upon hearing that the monk Yuan Yan had returned, Pei Si and Cao Cixiu also turned their gazes over, each harboring their own thoughts.

"I still remember the way back, so there's no need to trouble Patron Qilin!"

A familiar, wanton voice rang out; Pei Si lifted his eyes and saw a black-clad monk with flying robes, unlike an ordinary monk—at a glance it was a demon monk.

Just as the rumors suggested, he gave an unfathomable impression.

His gaze and the monk's gaze met in midair; both were full of scrutiny, but they soon averted their eyes.

Pei Si held his wine glass, rubbing the rim thoughtfully; behind him, Cao Cixiu's gaze burned like a torch, following the monk as he approached.

The monk walked up to their table, raised a smile of unclear meaning, his steps unceasing, and only when he reached Mu Yuanzhi's table did he exchange pleasantries: "Long time no see, Princess and Patron Gu—your kids are all grown up now!"

The two little beans both gazed curiously at the monk, thinking he was unlike the monks they usually saw in the temple.

Is he the great master that Father and Mother said is very formidable?

"Would you be interested in receiving precepts from this poor monk?" the monk laughed, placing one hand on a little head and rubbing it.

Gu Rongjin immediately scooped up the children: "You monk, don't go kidnapping our kids."

The two little ones still didn't know what receiving precepts meant, blinking their big, bright eyes as they asked their father.

"It's just asking whether you want to become monks or nuns." Gu Rongjin threatened the children: "No eating meat, no playing at all—nothing allowed!"

The two little beans immediately scared, their faces shrinking, and they shook their heads in unison: "I don't want to!"

The monk laughed: "It's not that exaggerated."

Mu Yuanzhi was speechless: "Master, you've gone far enough!"

Qilin came over and pulled the monk away: "Don't come in and scare my two nephews—get out!"

"The poor monk hasn't given a red packet to his nephew yet."

"Does the monk also have to give a red packet?"

"The monk's red packets are impressive too—these are all consecrated longevity locks." The monk said, producing two exquisitely crafted longevity locks from his sleeve and handing them to Mu Yumo and Gu Yutong: "Here, Young Duke and Young Heir."

The two little rascals glanced at their parents, and only after receiving their nods did they reach out to take them.

Thank you, Master!

Thank you, Master!

Well behaved.

Qilin dragged the monk over and asked him: "Why did you give them longevity locks? Did you discover some problem? Don't scare me!"

Warding off calamity and evil, maintaining health—you're overthinking it.

Really? You swear you haven't hidden anything from me!

I swear, I speak not a single false word, otherwise the Buddha will not save me.

Only then did Qilin reluctantly believe it; otherwise he wouldn't be able to sleep!

"These days while the poor monk has been away, the valley seems quite lively." The monk said, glancing sideways at Pei Si and Cao Cixiu.

"It's a long story; sit down and talk." Qilin led the monk to the prepared elegant seat, sat him down, and told him what had happened recently.

The monk listened while drinking, occasionally raising an eyebrow to ask a couple of questions, his expression hardly changing.