While Qiu Ling and Jing Yi only looked outside at the beginning and then didn't care about the dragon that had been circling around the Yun Zou Sect any longer, the same couldn't be said for others.
The first person to appear on the Sect Master's peak was Zhangsun Xun Yi. Seeing both Yuchi Bing Xia, as well as the couple next to him, there was a faint smile on his lips for once, and the perpetual frown that he normally sported actually receded. "Do I take it that this means that you are healed?"
Jinde continued to hug his husband but still turned to Zhangsun Xun Yi and gave a smile in return. "You're right. I did indeed succeed in healing my soul after all this time. Now, while I might not be back to my full strength, I'm not as weak anymore. And with a bit more time, it can be said that I will be as good as new."
Zhangsun Xun Yi heaved a sigh of relief on behalf of Jinde but also couldn't help but be a little worried about what this would mean for the Yun Zou Sect. He turned to look at Yuchi Bing Xia, wondering what he thought about this matter.
Jinde laughed quietly. "You don't have to worry. Just because I am healed, I won't just up and leave. You have allowed me to stay in the Yun Zou Sect for quite some time, so I will continue to stay for some time longer. Even after this …" He brushed Leng Jin Yu's chest and looked up into his eyes, smiling faintly.
His husband had already indicated that he wanted to go to the Jian Yi Sect. This was something that he was actually in favor of. It would still allow him to help the Yun Zou Sect if needed but at the same time, Leng Jin Yu wouldn't feel as trapped anymore. "Anyway, even if we leave, we will be reachable for you. So should there be a problem in the future, there's no need to worry. You can just reach out to us and we will come back here."
Zhangsun Xun Yi nodded. "Thank you." He knew that Jinde did not need to do this. Originally, he had given him a place to stay in the hope that his presence would deter others from making trouble for them.
There had always been quite some risk for Jinde in case that the ones noticing his presence would be the ones that were trying to hurt him but at that time, Jinde hadn't really had any other choice. Now that he was healed, he did not need the place at the Yun Zou Sect so it was entirely up to him what he wanted to do.
Zhangsun Xun Yi understood that. He also felt that it would be right for him to leave considering how much time he had spent here. The Yun Zou Sect had really benefited a lot from this. There was nothing left to ask for.
Yuchi Bing Xia looked from one side to the other and then couldn't help but turn to his disciple. "You … You do intend to stay here, don't you?" Something told him that this actually didn't seem to be the case but he was still holding onto this hope. Even if he felt by now that maybe it would be better to have Wu Min Huan be the next Sect Master, that didn't mean that he didn't cherish Yu Jin. This was the disciple he had taken in after all. Naturally, he cared about him.
Leng Jin Yu looked slightly awkward. In fact, he hadn't necessarily promised Fei Bai Mu that he would return anytime soon. But he had said that they would revisit this issue after Jinde was healed.
Now that that was the case … He knew he couldn't get around this for much longer. But at the same time, he didn't feel comfortable telling this to Yuchi Bing Xia. Even if everything was fake, this person treated him as his disciple. He would likely be heartbroken if he told him the truth.
Jinde looked at his husband and then at his husband's so-called Master and gave a wry smile. Leng Jin Yu really was too sentimental in this regard. It seemed that he would have to help him out a bit. "Sect Master Yuchi, it is not that Ah Yu wants to leave. It is just … You do remember when the Jian Yi Sect's Sect Master came here, right?"
Yuchi Bing Xia nodded, not quite sure what this had to do with anything.
"Well, as luck would have it, she has invited the two of us to come over there. It is not like she's trying to take away your disciple or anything but … she seems to have taken a liking to him. So … there is a possibility that Ah Yu and I will go over there. I mean, you would also want him to learn whatever he can, right?"
Yuchi Bing Xia stood there, dumbstruck. "Fei … Fei Bai Mu asked him to come to the Jian Yi Sect?!" Was he hearing this right?
Jinde nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Yes, she casually mentioned it the last time. But it did sound quite honest. I think she really meant it."
Yuchi Bing Xia had trouble understanding what was going on but after a few minutes, he finally closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled. He stepped toward the two of them and then reached out, putting a hand on Leng Jin Yu's shoulder. "Yu Jin, as your Master, I'm telling you not to waste any time. If Sect Master Fei has invited you, you have to go over.
"The Yun Zou Sect and the Jian Yi Sect … They aren't places you can compare. You will be able to learn so much more there. I know that you are talented. Probably quite a bit more than most of our other disciples. And exactly because of that I can't keep you here.
"You are bound to be able to achieve more than this. So, don't feel bad about it. I understand. You're young, you want to learn, and you should. With your aptitude, you might even be able to make it far in the Jian Yi Sect. Maybe not to the top like here but … well, even the worst disciples in the Jian Yi Sect can compare with our best ones. This is not a shame. Just do your best when you are over there."
Leng Jin Yu felt a little bad when he saw his Master's emotional gaze but he realized that this was the best way to get out of this. He let go of Jinde for a moment and then cupped his fists, bowing his head. "I will. And should you ever need me …"
"Don't worry. I know where the Jian Yi Sect is. I'll reach out to you then. Just promise me that you will make the best out of your life." He gave him a long look and then turned away. Anyway, he really couldn't stand to look at his disciple for a moment longer. If he did, he would lose all dignity as his Master.