```
At this moment, Gu Xi really felt it, and a few pretty blushes appeared on her delicate face. She glared at Zhou Yan and said, "Brother Zhou Yan, you're becoming more and more improper, learning bad things and bullying me like this."
As she spoke, she pretended to be about to cry.
Zhou Yan, however, didn't fall for it.
"You're pretending again. Earlier, when I avoided your deliberate rubbing, you still acted as you pleased. Are you scared now? Do you still think your brother is as innocent as a child? Or are you trying to show off to me that you've grown 'up'?"
"Uh... Brother Zhou Yan, you're so bad! So, you felt it just now but still pretended seriously that Zhou Lingyi looked down on you... You were just trying to get Xi'er to sympathize with you!"
Gu Xi pouted, but she didn't hold back in her evaluation of Zhou Lingyi.
She was definitely the first person she had behaved so intimately with.
For some reason, Zhou Yan was very certain that because the other person kept him in her heart, she could treat him with such sincerity.
A girl who practiced the Cold Ice Sword and had comprehended the Sword Qi was likely to have a character and temperament quite close to that of cold ice, yet she was so close with him... This time, Zhou Yan felt more moved and less desire.
This girl was very beautiful.
Given Zhou Yan's nature, it was hard not to turn into a beast, but at this moment, his heart was very calm. Watching the girl's coquettish behavior, he felt very happy.
He lowered his head slightly and gazed deeply at the girl, his eyes deep and stagnant, as if trying to see into the depths of those bright eyes.
Such a gaze caused Gu Xi's heart to tremble with fear, and she dared not look directly at Zhou Yan anymore. Her spiritual eyes couldn't help but flicker, unable to meet Zhou Yan's passionate gaze.
While Zhou Yan was looking at her, suddenly, a glaring bloodstain caught his eye.
On Gu Xi's snow-white neck, a terrifying sword mark cut by Sword Qi lay quietly.
He couldn't help but reach out and say, "Earlier... it was very dangerous. I watched from a distance and could have helped you, but I stood by and did nothing... Xixi, I'm sorry."
"Brother Zhou Yan, that matter had nothing to do with you... Earlier, because I didn't recognize you, I almost attacked you myself..."
"Speaking of which, time flies, and in the blink of an eye, we've grown from childhood innocence to seeing nearly through the ways of the world now.
In this somewhat cruel world, people prefer to avoid unnecessary trouble. When faced with danger, most people would choose to stand by unless it involves a familiar person or someone they know well.
This isn't wrong, because only by doing so can one go further on the road of cultivation."
Following Zhou Yan's touch on her neck wound, Gu Xi gently lay into Zhou Yan's embrace, murmuring.
"Yes, if I had known it was you, I wouldn't have let them die so easily. I'd have flayed them and pulled out their tendons, making them unable to live or die!"
Zhou Yan spoke calmly.
His words were light, but they warmed Gu Xi's heart.
Certainly, in Zhou Yan's eyes, Gu Xi was a very beautifully captivating girl, but in Gu Xi's eyes, Zhou Yan was undoubtedly a talented and attractive man. Under the Cold Ice Sword Sect, there were hundreds of thousands of disciples, yet those who could compare with Zhou Yan in appearance were few.
Now that Zhou Yan spoke like this, how could she not be happy in her heart?
"Brother Zhou Yan, you still love us as much as when we were kids. I'm very happy."
"I should be grateful you haven't changed either, always sticking to me. It's a mark of your regard for me." Zhou Yan laughed.
"Brother Zhou Yan, at first, when I held your arm, I was quite nervous, not having seen you for so many years, but... now, I'm not afraid at all... Brother Zhou Yan, you know, we girls don't have any status in this world. To men, almost ninety percent of women are mere commodities, Sword Spirits' Furnaces, Sword Souls' materials, Puppets, or... objects for venting.
When I was younger, Chanchan, Lin'er, and I always liked being with you, but Father said that if we wished to have our freedom, our sense of self, and pursuits, we must have the ability to defend them.
Going to the Cold Ice Sword Sect, although my aunt introduced me, if not for wanting to be with Brother Zhou Yan, I wouldn't have gone.
Now it seems, my decision was indeed correct!"
Gu Xi did not conceal anything, even sharing her little secret with Zhou Yan.
This made Zhou Yan, who carried some modern grandmaster memories, feel a bit emotional.
"The Cold Ice Sword Sect is a good place. Afterward, you should focus on cultivating there. I have always liked you, and my feelings haven't changed, but the previous occurrences made me feel guilty toward Ning'er and Ping'er. You know, a man who cannot protect his woman is a waste.
I will cultivate well, fulfill my father's wishes sooner, and then visit you in the Cold Ice Sword Sect. By then, I'll see who dares to bully my Xixi, and I'll beat them so hard even their mothers won't recognize them!"
Zhou Yan said with heartfelt earnestness.
"Okay... Brother Zhou Yan, we're almost at the city. Let's go rest at our Gu family first, and tomorrow we'll visit Lin'er and Chanchan."
Gu Xi was very joyful and delighted.
Zhou Yan was in a good mood too. Having a beauty in his arms, this feeling was quite pleasant.
He could also feel that perhaps it was the first time in so many years that Gu Xi was this happy.
...
The sky was about to dawn.
Another early dawn arrived.
With Gu Xi almost hanging on him, not caring about the eyes of others at all, Zhou Yan carried her along the way to the courtyard outside the Gu family's mansion.
It was only upon reaching here that Gu Xi restrained herself, once again appearing like an ice-cold snow woman.
Seeing her coquetry moments ago, Zhou Yan had been as calm as water, but upon seeing her with the temperament of an ice-cold snow woman, he was somewhat moved.
"Brother Zhou Yan, we've arrived. Come in with me."
Facing Zhou Yan, Gu Xi's cold face immediately filled with tenderness.
"Mm, there's no time like the present. Let me come with you to see Uncle Gu first. His health matters more."
Zhou Yan didn't stand on ceremony. He truly cared about these people, which is why he addressed the important matters rather than resting first.
Hearing Zhou Yan's words, Gu Xi was very moved, though she didn't show it, merely nodding silently and saying, "Father will surely be very pleased to see you, Brother Zhou Yan."
"Mm, but Xixi, you mustn't tell anyone about this... I mean if I manage to heal your father."
Zhou Yan mused, inadvertently uttering these seemingly abrupt words.
Gu Xi was slightly taken aback, yet she was a very smart girl. In an instant, she understood the underlying meaning of Zhou Yan's words and nodded solemnly, saying, "Brother Zhou Yan, I understand. Indeed, given the attack by my subordinate, things have become different, so I can't let my guard down.
Brother Zhou Yan, I'll do as you say, you can rest assured."
Gu Xi's response was within Zhou Yan's expectations. However, her unequivocal obedience moved him a bit.
She was a lovable young girl, and equally, behind her adorableness and wisdom, she was a girl of incredible courage.
For such a girl, Zhou Yan genuinely liked her, especially given that this outstanding girl had special feelings for him now.
...
The Gu family's Forbidden Chamber.
The gleaming, cold light made this place seem eerie and oppressive.
Yet only such an environment could suppress the pain of life's passing.
The condition of Gu Xi's father, Gu Yan, was much more severe than she had said, which was probably the real reason she wore a worried expression earlier in the sedan chair.
When Zhou Yan saw Gu Yan, even with his disposition, he couldn't help but be moved.
The vigorous middle-aged man in his memory had disappeared, leaving only a pale, white-haired, wrinkled old man trembling there.
With each shiver, it felt as though the flesh and Soul within him were incinerated, a seemingly endless pain!
This situation was nearly identical to that of Feng Lingqing!
Such agony, even if not personally experienced, just witnessing it would chill the heart!
This was a pain that without great will and fortitude, couldn't possibly be endured!
"Father..."
Witnessing this scene, the emotions and sweetness Gu Xi felt upon seeing Zhou Yan instantly welled up into tears, almost making her cry.
She turned away, unable to bear watching any longer.
Zhou Yan took her hand, gently patting her shoulder, calming her gradually.
"Uncle Gu, it's Yan'er. I've come to see you. I can save you, and you'll soon be free from this pain."
Zhou Yan spoke softly, then signaled to Gu Xi with a glance. Without hesitation, Gu Xi activated the mechanism to close off the Forbidden Chamber, sealing it entirely.
```