Chapter 435: I Saw Your Amends

How can we not compare? When Master was around, Juechen Valley and the martial world were both peaceful eras; now a Cold Dew Stronghold has appeared, a huge assassin organization harming the whole martial world, and you've guarded Juechen Valley well—isn't that surpassing your teacher?

Mu Yuanzhi patted Qilin's head and laughed.

"Senior sister is comforting me again; when Master was around, nobody dared set foot in Juechen Valley—doesn't that prove Master's might shook the four seas?" Qilin retorted.

"You're overthinking it again; fine, if you want to think that way, then dissolve the sect and come back to the capital with me—anyway you're not cut out to be valley master, don't hold others back!" Mu Yuanzhi put on a stern face, feigning displeasure.

"I……" Qilin pursed their lips.

If it were before, senior sister would want them to stay in the capital and not leave—they'd definitely be thrilled.

But now, aside from deeply feeling the responsibility to revive the sect, they feel they've developed feelings with the disciples; seeing Juechen Valley flourish day by day, they feel happy from the bottom of their heart.

At least they must wait until everyone has achieved something, and they find a successor for the next valley master, before they can fully retire from the martial world with peace of mind.

"I'm not feeling sorry for myself anymore, senior sister, don't be angry." Qilin tugged at Mu Yuanzhi's sleeve and acted coquettishly.

"Just cheer up; senior sister couldn't bear to be angry with you."

"I say, you senior sister and junior brother, stop loafing around here!"

Gu Rongjin pushed the door in, breaking the warm atmosphere.

"You're the sect leader, yet you still act coquettish like a child every day—if your disciples saw that, it'd be unbecoming!"

He stepped in and naturally stood between Mu Yuanzhi and Qilin.

"You're jealous again, Gu Rongjin, how childish!" Qilin couldn't take it: "Even as fathers, you're still so childish!"

"Men and women should not be intimate; that's proper. Junior brother, you're not a blood sibling, so you need to know your bounds, Qilin."

"Even if they were blood siblings, you'd still be jealous, wouldn't you?" Qilin countered.

Gu Rongjin nodded: "You understand me."

Qilin: ……

"I'm not talking to you, you immature brat—I'm going to take a medicinal bath."

"Let's go, I'm taking my wife back to play with the kids! Come on, little Yuanzhi!"

Gu Rongjin happily took Mu Yuanzhi's hand and walked away.

Mu Yuanzhi gave Qilin a few more reminders before leaving.

"In a few days we'll set off for the capital—I'm really reluctant to leave." Mu Yuanzhi sighed.

"It's fine, we'll come again for the New Year."

He had already organized what happened here into a letter sent back to the new emperor; the part about Xiao Yichen was slightly edited, but it's basically the same—nothing wrong can be found.

"How's Andluo doing?" Mu Yuanzhi asked.

"The Third Prince's idea is to escort him back to the capital; after all, he used to be a Frost Descent person, and we think it's better to hand him over to His Majesty for handling—this could also offset the fact that we didn't turn over Xiao Yichen."

"All right." Mu Yuanzhi nodded. "How's the other person?"

"They're probably still alive—that's all I can say." Gu Rongjin had seen them and felt they were just alive.

He also didn't know whether the monk had been too rough or whether they'd been roughed up when handed over to Pei Si and them; either way, he didn't care.

Mu Yuanzhi didn't care much about Andluo either; as long as they weren't harmful, their life or death was none of her business.

"What about the others in the Cold Dew Stronghold?" she asked again.

"They're all locked up; those people aren't worth worrying about—the Great Master took care of them all, though the woman named Fanghua down the mountain managed to escape."

"Mom!"

Gu Yutong saw Mu Yuanzhi from afar and ran over; Mu Yumo did the same, closely following behind their sister.

Since Mu Yuanzhi returned from Back Mountain, these two kids have been clingier than usual—so clingy that even Gu Rongjin, as their father, has started to complain, after all they've intruded on his private world as a couple.

"You've finished your homework today—why did you run out?" Mu Yuanzhi asked with a smile.

"Done! Finished early!"

The two little beans now study and train harder than before; they no longer complain of hardship or fatigue, every day just wanting to grow up fast and become strong to protect their parents.

"So well-behaved?" Mu Yuanzhi took one in each hand and asked, "Where do you want to play?"

"Wherever Mom wants to play, that's where we'll go!" Gu Yutong exclaimed.

Mu Yumo nodded: "We'll listen to Mom!"

"You two little rascals are so filial, you're making me feel like I'm losing as a dad." Gu Rongjin crossed his arms and sighed in amazement.

"Ahzhi!"

Pei Shangling, hiding in the shadows, sprang out as soon as he saw Mu Yuanzhi appear: "Ahzhi!"

"It's you again—can't you stay out of the way and stop annoying my wife?" Gu Rongjin rolled his eyes, "Don't think that just because you're pretending to be a grandson, little Yuanzhi will forgive you."

"I'm not pretending to be a grandson—for Ahzhi, I can be a real grandson!" Pei Shangling said earnestly.

"No need—just stay out of my sight." Mu Yuanzhi said coldly.

"Ahzhi……" Pei Shangling knew that whenever Mu Yuanzhi was fine, he'd go see her right away—of course he'd just get turned away at the door; now that he'd finally caught a chance, he couldn't wait to show up.

Only after seeing that she was truly unharmed did he finally put his mind at ease.

He hadn't seen the two nephews for the first time either; before, whether in the past or in the valley, he'd secretly spotted them many times, but never had a chance to speak to them.

Now, looking at the two who resembled Mu Yuanzhi's children, Pei Shangling felt genuine emotion.

This is all Ahzhi's bloodline—he must protect them well!

The two siblings, due to their parents, naturally felt no connection to this person of no blood relation who claimed to be their uncle; upon meeting, they showed no pleasant expression, and in the face of Pei Shangling's overly eager smile, they felt even more disgust.

"Ahzhi, this time for you and for Juechen Valley, I've also put in a lot of effort—I was the one who told Gu Rongjin that Xiao Yichen is easily poisoned!" Seeing the situation turn bad, Pei Shangling immediately started taking credit.

"I sincerely thank you, Prince Ling." Mu Yuanzhi nodded indifferently and distantly.

"Ahzhi…… I'm not thanking you formally just for you; I just want to make amends."

Those memories of him standing by and watching her—though he doesn't have them—seeing them left his heart unsettled, and every day he has such nightmares.

But for him it's just a nightmare, while for Ahzhi it's an indelible mark.

He really has no face to ask A Zhi anything.

But that's not him at all!

In this life he hasn't done those things!

But he indeed, for Pei Yunxi, repeatedly put her life in danger.

But at least, at least he didn't lay a hand on the Qilin!

Pei Shangling firmly believes he hasn't reached an irreparable point.

"I've seen all your efforts to make amends." Mu Yuanzhi said.

Pei Shangling's hope flared up in an instant: "Really? Then I..."