Chapter 165: Returning to Kunshan (Part 6)
Zhou Yan paused and changed his question, "Who is this person?"
Zhou Yan asked about the palm strike that shattered her bones.
Qiao Wan remained silent.
"Even if this person treated you like this," Zhou Yan looked at her quietly, "you still won't tell me, let me seek revenge for you?"
Qiao Wan still didn't say anything.
In this awkward atmosphere, Zhou Yan lowered his eyes. "Forget it, rest well, I'll come back for you later."
After Zhou Yan left, Qiao Wan was left alone in Yuqing Palace.
After lying on the bed for a while, Qiao Wan turned and got off the bed.
Yuqing Palace hadn't changed much compared to when she left. Peach blossoms were blooming outside the corridor, and along the way, they looked like a sea of clouds and mist.
As Qiao Wan stepped out of the door, she bumped into Xiao Song.
Since Xiao Song had been taking care of her during her two days of deep sleep, he didn't show any surprise when he saw her.
Qiao Wan looked around but couldn't spot the familiar and thin figure of the sick beauty.
Normally, when she returned to the mountain, Elder Martial Brother would definitely come up to see her. Not seeing him made Qiao Wan feel a bit uneasy, so she nervously asked, "Where is Taoist Friend Lu?"
"Elder Martial Brother went down the mountain recently and hasn't returned yet."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Wan silently breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the porch with Xiao Song.
"Martial Sister Qiao," the young disciple hesitated and stole a glance at Qiao Wan, "what's going on down the mountain?"
"What do you mean?"
"There has been a lot of commotion with this jade slip, look for yourself."
She took the jade slip and looked at it.
Hmm...
Qiao Wan calmly closed the jade slip and said, "That's probably how things are."
At that moment, a familiar and gentle voice came from behind.
Qiao Wan and Xiao Song turned their heads together to look.
Xiao Song quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Elder Martial Sister Mu!"
Mu Xiaoxiao, wearing a light blue dress, stood in the corridor and looked at Qiao Wan. She hesitated for a second, but then smiled faintly.
"Qiao... younger martial sister, so you're here. It's easier for me to find you now."
"Our master wants me to bring you to see him."
Qiao Wan hesitated for a second, then greeted, "Miss Mu."
Mu Xiaoxiao didn't mind Qiao Wan's choice of words and asked softly, "Can you come back with me, younger martial sister?"
Qiao Wan quietly looked at Mu Xiaoxiao.
As a supporting character in a book, she was indeed born for Mu Xiaoxiao.
Although being treated as a substitute was all because of Mu Xiaoxiao, it was the origin of her tragedy. But ultimately, it was a private matter between her and Zhou Yan, and had little to do with Mu Xiaoxiao. During this long time, she had not directly conflicted with Mu Xiaoxiao.
After thinking for a moment, Qiao Wan decided to obediently follow behind Mu Xiaoxiao, trying not to make things difficult for the girl in front of her.
Outside the corridor, the peach blossoms bloomed all year round, with many petals gently dancing and falling on the girl's light-colored dress.
On the way, Mu Xiaoxiao whispered, "Actually, ever since you, my younger martial sister, left the mountain, our master has been feeling guilty."
"You know our master's personality. It's not easy to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship, and he... he's been very lonely. For the past few hundred years, all he had was his sword, and he forgot how to interact with people."
"Perhaps our master is a bit strong-willed and doesn't consider others' feelings, but I believe that he cares about you, me, and Elder Martial Brother. For the past few hundred years, he only accepted us three as his disciples."
"I hope that you, my younger martial sister, can forgive our master."
Mu Xiaoxiao paused and glanced at the peach blossoms below the corridor. "Let's reunite our Yuqing Peak sect. I believe that Elder Martial Brother will be very happy about it."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Wan felt a little conflicted.
The young girl blinked her eyes, like a young deer, her eyes revealing obvious hope and anticipation.
But she wasn't Pei Chunzheng, she wouldn't change her mind just because of Mu Xiaoxiao's words.
Qiao Wan pursed her lips and said, "That's you guys, not me."
Throughout it all, there were only Zhou Yan, Mu Xiaoxiao, and... Lu Pihan.
Seemingly surprised by Qiao Wan's straightforward refusal, Mu Xiaoxiao paused for a moment, her unspoken words being cut off.
"Even if you don't want to forgive our master, at least Kunshan has your friends."
After a moment of hesitation, Mu Xiaoxiao anxiously clenched her fingers. "Elder martial sisters, they miss you too. If younger martial sister is willing, I can introduce my friend to you. We can cultivate together in the future, isn't that better than mingling with those people?"
As they spoke, they had already arrived at Zhou Yan's cave.
Compared to Zhou Yan's quiet cave on ordinary days, today there were quite a few disciples from Kunshan inside. They were both male and female, looking respectfully at Zhou Yan who was seated in the main position.
This scene... seems like they're having a class?
As soon as they noticed the movement at the entrance, the disciples from Kunshan turned their heads.
Qiao Wan immediately found herself bathed in the curious and excited gazes of these young men and women.
In those eyes, there was all sorts of curiosity and anticipation.
Mu Xiaoxiao said, "These are all disciples of Spiritual Master Xuan Zhong."
Qiao Wan had heard of Spiritual Master Xuan Zhong before. Back in Precept Hall, during her thirty-year punishment, Elder Xuan Zhong had cast a "veto" vote. Although Qiao Wan hadn't had any contact with Elder Xuan Zhong, she still remembered his appearance - a white beard and long mustache, with gentle and friendly eyebrows and eyes. It perfectly matched the image of an immortal in the minds of ordinary people.
Mu Xiaoxiao explained, "Elder Xuan Zhong is in seclusion, so he entrusted his disciples to Master for guidance and care for a period of time."
Zhou Yan sat upright in the main seat, his voice deep and low.
After catching a glimpse of Mu Xiaoxiao, Zhou Yan nodded slightly and said, "Xiaoxiao."
He paused.
"Wan'er."
Mu Xiaoxiao took a step back and smiled, saying, "Master, I have brought younger martial sister here."
Zhou Yan's gaze fell upon Qiao Wan, he lowered his eyes and didn't look any further.
With the arrival of Qiao Wan, the thoughts of the Xuan Zhong disciples who were previously focused on their lessons couldn't help but wander.
Oh, it's Qiao Wan! Qiao Wan is really back?! And she doesn't look as bad as it was described in the jade slip?
The small commotion below naturally couldn't escape Zhou Yan, who was seated in the main position.
Zhou Yan lowered his eyes and calmly strengthened his tone a bit, saying, "Have you all remembered the sword technique that I just mentioned?"
The Xuan Zhong disciples abruptly snapped back to attention, their expressions solemn as they nodded one after another.
Since there was no immediate task at hand, Qiao Wan stood at the door, lost in her thoughts, silently contemplating.
Returning to Kunshan was not what she had intended, but now that she was back, should she try to pursue the Red Fire Golden Fetus? Given the current situation, it was clear that it was not the time to be tangled up in these matters. Cen Qingyou, Buping College, and many other things were waiting for her to solve them.
At the thought of this, Qiao Wan felt a slight headache.
Suddenly, a man's voice interrupted. "Wan'er."
"Wan'er?"
The girl stood quietly at the door, her eyes half-lowered, lost in thought.
Zhou Yan's heart tightened. He subtly tightened his hand in his sleeve.
In the past thirty years, he had rarely given Qiao Wan any guidance and had never taken on the responsibility of being a master. Instead, it was Lu Pihan who had taken on that role for him. In reality, Zhou Yan also knew that Qiao Wan admired him. Every time he stepped down from the stage to personally guide her, her eyes would light up.
Over the past thirty years, he has shown more concern for other disciples in Kunshan than for Qiao Wan, even though she is his disciple. Eventually, he made a mistake, but being prideful, he was unwilling to admit it.
Now, he finally bowed his head, only to realize that his admired disciple had never looked his way throughout all those years.
Zhou Yan's hand clenched tightly in his sleeve.
Mu Xiaoxiao tugged at the corner of Qiao Wan's clothes, worriedly asking, "What are you thinking, younger martial sister? Our master is calling for you."
Qiao Wan snapped back to reality, only then noticing that, at some point, all the disciples under Spiritual Master Xuan Zhong had taken a step back, curiously observing the three of them.
She looked up and met Zhou Yan's cold eyes.
Zhou Yan lowered his gaze, his eyes devoid of any emotion. "Come forward."
Qiao Wan calmly obeyed and took a step forward.
Zhou Yan reached out and patted her shoulder. "You have suffered down the mountain these past few days. From now on, I will personally take care of you. Let me see your progress in cultivation."
A warm feeling flowed into Qiao Wan's shoulder.
Suddenly, Qiao Wan instinctively moved away from Zhou Yan's hand.
Zhou Yan's hand stayed in an awkward position, frozen in mid-air.
The air felt solid and still.
After a brief moment.finally moved again, his fingers sliding down Qiao Wan's shoulder and firmly gripping her arm.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Wan resisted. As soon as Zhou Yan's hand grasped her arm, she reflexively unleashed the Wuxiang Technique. At the same time, she gathered energy in her other palm and released a blinding light.
"Demon Emperor Jia Yin?!" Zhou Yan exclaimed in surprise.
Qiao Wan's move seemed to resemble Demon Emperor Jia Yin's technique?!
Although they had never fought against Jia Yin, Zhou Yan could sense the familiar style of the Demon Emperor.
Where did Qiao Wan learn the Demon Emperor's technique?!
Lost in shock, Qiao Wan's palm was already attacking towards Zhou Yan's chest.
Caught off guard, Zhou Yan was hit by the palm and was forced to take a step backwards.
Mu Xiaoxiao cried out, "Master!"
No one expected Qiao Wan to suddenly take action, leaving all the disciples of Xuan Zhong stunned.
"A spiritual master?!"
"Stop!"
Realizing what was happening, they quickly rushed over to intervene.
But Zhou Yan signaled for the others to step back.
Seizing the opportunity, Qiao Wan leaped back and kicked onto the jade pillar in the hall.
All of this happened in a split second. The young girl's movements were agile and clean. The bow-shaped ribbon on her headband, a pale pink, fluttered in the air. However, her pitch-black eyes reflected a fierce and coolness, like a young wolf. A cold glint shone in her eyes.
She found herself "hanging" from the pillar, her expressionless face looking at Zhou Yan, who was standing in front of her with a stunned expression.
"I am not Miss Mu."
"I have the ability to protect myself and I don't need your guidance."
Zhou Yan felt a sharp pain in his chest, and a mouthful of crimson blood forcefully spurted out.
*
In the Kunshan cafeteria.
The cafeteria has always been a great place for students, from all times and places, to gossip.
Just at that moment, a familiar tall figure walked towards the door. The young man was handsome, with clear and bright eyes. His long hair was tied back neatly with a ponytail. Even in a crowded cafeteria, his face was still very eye-catching.
"Pei Chunzheng!" exclaimed the younger martial sister.
All the disciples from Kunshan instinctively stepped back, holding their trays of food.
In the midst of the commotion, a poor soul's jade slip slipped from their waist, falling perfectly at the young man's feet.
Curiously, the young man's eyes caught sight of the bold and straightforward ink words on the jade slip.
Pei Chunzheng bent down to pick up the jade slip, but to everyone's surprise, he paused for a moment without any movement.
The disciples from Kunshan exchanged nervous glances.
What's going on? At least give some reaction, right?
Whose jade slip is it? Go and pick it up quickly!
In the suffocating silence, a younger martial sister with a flushed face finally stepped forward and timidly raised her hand. "Pei... Pei senior brother, this is my jade slip."
The young boy's heart felt like it was being tightly squeezed by something, and a strange, trembling feeling filled her. The young boy opened his big, beautiful eyes and a faint look of confusion appeared in them. A faint red light flashed on his forehead.
Qiao Wan...has she come back?
