Chapter 396

I'm stating the facts; I of course know you're formidable, but since Andeluo is also a former Shuangjiang person like you, it's hard to say how deeply hidden they are; being cautious is always good, wait for them to take the initiative. Mu Yuanzhi said.

Gu Rongjin: "What if he decides to hide like a turtle, waiting for us to leave before coming to cause trouble for Juechen Valley?"

"That's not impossible; we could create the illusion that we've already left to lure them in—but that also carries risks…"

"We can't keep hesitating; let's do as you say! Wait another three days—if they take no action, we'll lure the snake out of its hole!" Gu Rongjin declared.

On the third day of the new year, the valley was still filled with festive spirit; today the sun shone brightly, the snow had long since melted, the weather was superb, and the whole valley was suffused with a warm, cozy atmosphere.

Qilin rose early today, purposely came to watch everyone's morning practice, and then after it ended he kept Qiao Chu behind.

"Little Chu, how long have you been in Juechen Valley?" he asked Qiao Chu.

Qiao Chu followed half a step behind Qilin and replied, "Exactly three years and one month."

"You remember things very clearly; you're a meticulous and careful person." Qilin suddenly stopped.

Qiao Chu also stopped.

Three years and one month, but I feel like you've been here much longer—as if you'd belonged to Juechen Valley from the start." Qilin turned to look at Qiao Chu. "You stand out, you're steady, and you're the top candidate for the next valley master."

"Master!" Qiao Chu looked at Qilin, bewildered. "Disciple doesn't understand what you mean."

"You're only a little younger than me, yet you call me Master and treat me with such respect—doesn't that feel awkward?" Qilin leaned in close to Qiao Chu, tilted his head up, and asked.

Qiao Chu hastily stepped back, clasped his hands, and said, "Is it that I've offended you in some way, Master?"

"Little Chu, you've been hiding a lot from me, haven't you?" Qilin suddenly got straight to the point.

Qiao Chu's eyes flickered, but his expression showed not a trace of panic.

But he did not deny it.

Qilin immediately sank his face: "You really are hiding things from me—do you think I'm a clueless adult pretending to be wise?"

"Master, disciple has never meant to be disrespectful toward you."

"I don't want to hear these evasive excuses; leaving aside the past, just speak of yesterday—why did you avoid mentioning the matter of Fang Wu?" Qilin's eyes sharpened as he looked at Qiao Chu.

Qiao Chu pursed his lips but said nothing.

"Not speaking?" Qilin asked again: "On the night of the first day of the year, where did you go when you didn't return late at night? And after coming back, what did you do at the Heavenly Palace?"

After a barrage of questions, Qiao Chu answered not a word, merely staring at Qilin, then countered: "Master, are you suspecting me?"

"I won't suspect you; you're my disciple, so I hope you'll tell me the truth." Qilin looked at Qiao Chu very seriously.

Upon hearing that, Qiao Chu finally smiled.

"Speak!"

Qilin is naturally hot-tempered; even trying to maintain decorum can't change his inner nature—if this person weren't his disciple, he would have already flown into a rage!

"I originally wanted to wait until the facts came out before telling you." Qiao Chu sighed and said, "The possibility of a traitor in the valley has already been criticized by many."

"Do you suspect Fang Wu?" Qilin frowned and asked.

Qiao Chu nodded: "But I didn't want to startle the snake, so I took it upon myself to keep Senior Sister from seeing you. On the night of the first day of the year, I went to the Hidden Moon Pavilion, just to learn that Junior Brother Fang had also gone there. On my way back I wanted to come find you to tell you this, but then I thought I should first investigate it myself, so I turned back."

Qilin helplessly pressed his lips: "Little Chu, one person's wit is short; if you investigate everything yourself, you'll only get half the result for double the effort."

"Disciple merely wanted to share your burden… Master, your reprimand is deserved." Qiao Chu lowered his head.

"Furthermore, going to investigate alone is also dangerous." Qilin said uneasily, "Although you're talented, you're still young; your martial skill and experience still need honing—don't overreach, understand?"

Qiao Chu nodded happily: "Understood."

"Don't look into the Fang Wu matter for now—Yuan Yan and Gu Rongjin are here." Qilin mentioned those two, and he felt completely at ease.

He patted Qiao Chu's shoulder: "Just focus on your cultivation; don't think about anything else."

The light in Qiao Chu's eyes shifted momentarily, but quickly returned to normal, letting Qilin not worry.

"Master!"

Qiao Chu called out to stop the departing Qilin, asking: "Master, are you feeling better? Yesterday… could it be related to the side effects?"

Qilin originally wanted to tell Qiao Chu that it was a blindfold trick, but recalling that non-human surveillance might be present here, he merely smiled: "No, just a common chill—your uncle said it's fine."

"If that's not it, did Master Yuan Yan go to the Black Sea and fail to find a solution?" Qiao Chu asked anxiously.

Qilin shook his head: "No, rest assured—even if we can't solve it temporarily, it's fine; trust in your teacher."

Qiao Chu secretly clenched his palms and nodded.

After Qilin finished with Qiao Chu, he naturally went to the underground palace; it's rare that Mu Yuanzhi and the others have come all the way from Jingcheng, so he naturally wants to spend time with them whenever he can.

After all, it's been three years since we last parted; we don't know when we'll meet again.

Upon hearing this, Qilin felt deeply moved; he truly wished he could stay forever in Jingcheng with his senior sisters!

But Juechen Valley cannot be abandoned.

If Qiao Chu could soon stand on his own, Qilin could then let go and be a hands-off manager!

Thinking this, Qilin felt motivated again—he must quickly train Qiao Chu into a qualified successor!

"Senior Sister!"

As soon as Qilin entered the underground palace, someone reported to him that Mu Yuanzhi and her family of four had gone out to stroll in the lower valley.

He was struck by a bolt from the blue!

How could Senior Sister go out and have fun without taking me?!

It must be Gu Rongjin, that vinegar king, meddling from behind!

Detestable man!

Qilin gritted his teeth.

He also wanted to go down the mountain to find them!

Qilin specifically had Yuan Yan pay more attention to the valley before he felt reassured going down the mountain.

At that moment, down in the valley, Gu Rongjin was happily strolling with his wife and son.

Originally Mu Yuanzhi wanted to call for Qilin to join, but Gu Rongjin's remark—"Qilin still has to guard the valley and can't just go down the mountain"—stopped her.

Joking, who would want to lug around a troublesome little devil everywhere?

He already had two little devils to look after and was exhausted; originally he didn't even want to bring the little devils today, but those two clever rascals saw at a glance that they wanted to go shopping and insisted on sticking together.

He couldn't possibly refuse two little cuties, could he?

Gu Yutong and Mu Yumo originally stayed close to their parents, but Mu Yumo, who had inherited his father's extraordinary hearing, quickly noticed someone following them. The footsteps weren't particularly remarkable to him, but because they kept following, he gradually became aware.

As he walked, he inevitably slowed his pace.

At such a young age, not knowing how to conceal, he simply turned his head to look.