"The weather is ever-changing, and the world is also unpredictable. Xiaomu, some things are based on affection after all." Elder Yun Buqi gave Yu Mu a meaningful glance, his face still wearing a cheerful smile.
As the wind began to rise, he knew that Yu Mu's cultivation was sealed, so he subtly changed his position, using his body to shield Yu Mu from the wind.
He still believed that Yu Mu was just angry with his master for a while, and based on Elder Yun Buqi's understanding of Yu Mu, Yu Mu would still be on the side of his master after the anger passed.
However, after this incident, he really wanted to fight for him.
"Elder, the changes in the word 'affection' are even more unpredictable than the wind and clouds." Yu Mu gently stroked his chest; that strong heartbeat was proof that he was still alive.
He just didn't want to live like he did in his previous life anymore.
Upon hearing Yu Mu's words, even Elder Yun Buqi was momentarily taken aback.
He felt that Yu Mu had changed. Even though he hadn't interacted much with Yu Mu before, he knew that Yu Mu had always been a cultivator who cared about the overall situation and was as gentle as jade.
But now… he actually sensed a kind of weariness from Yu Mu, a sense of desolation that had never been defeated by others but could not withstand the passage of time and the hearts of men…
That feeling was like facing a ten-thousand-year-old monster!
"Haha, I've heard that Elder is quite fond of the countryside?" Sensing that the atmosphere was not quite right, Yu Mu laughed and turned to the side, his eyes clear and gentle, showing no indifference towards Elder Yun Buqi as he did with others.
"Yes," Elder Yun Buqi sighed lightly. "Planting some vegetables and fruits, before I stepped onto the path of Dao, I worked in the fields with my old father. Now… years have passed, and I've even forgotten what my old father looked like, but I still remember the taste of those earthly dishes."
"That is the true flavor of the world, untainted by any other tastes." Yu Mu also smiled. "If Elder doesn't mind, can I join you?"
"Why would I mind? You little rascal, you're just teasing me." Elder Yun Buqi laughed and scolded. "If you want, I have some empty fields in my backyard; feel free to mess around."
"Then I won't be polite."
...
In the following three days, Yu Mu worked alongside Elder Yun Buqi in the thin fields, working from sunrise to sunset.
During this time, Elder Yun Buqi was not like the high-ranking Elder, and Yu Mu was not like the extraordinary genius; the two were like a grandfather and grandson. There was no concern for cultivation, no concern for sects, and even less for the treachery of human hearts.
Although this kind of life was short and they both knew it wouldn't last long, it still unconsciously washed away the scars on Yu Mu's heart. Unbeknownst to him, the indifference and hostility that occasionally appeared in his eyes belonged to the Demon Emperor were deeply hidden.
He seemed to have truly returned to the past.
In the fields, under the melon vines, Yu Mu was secretly eating the cucumbers grown by Elder Yun Buqi, which were just ordinary cucumbers from the mortal world.
Then, Elder Yun Buqi suddenly appeared with a shovel, his white hair flying in anger: "How many times have I told you that is for seeds?! You! I'll beat you to death!!"
Yu Mu's eyes widened in shock, and he quickly got up to run. However, how could he escape Elder Yun Buqi's grasp? In just a few moments, he ran in a circle and returned to the melon rack, where he was still caught by Elder Yun Buqi by the back of his neck.
After three days, both Elder Yun Buqi and Yu Mu had completely let their guards down. Elder Yun Buqi showed no mercy to Yu Mu and pretended to hit him!
But noticing that Yu Mu's expression was off, Elder Yun Buqi also stopped his movements.
Just then, a faint fragrance wafted through the air. Not far from the vegetable garden, a woman in white stood proudly, her beauty indeed captivating.
Her demeanor was like a rare pearl, completely out of place in this vegetable garden.
At this moment, Fairy Zi Li looked at Yu Mu, her stunning face devoid of any expression, still holding her high and mighty demeanor.
"Mu'er, Elder Yun is a Supreme Elder of the sect. It's one thing to disturb his cultivation, but what kind of propriety is it to play around with him?" Fairy Zi Li spoke, her brows slightly furrowed.
She had originally wanted to say some caring words but seeing the harmony between Yu Mu and Elder Yun Buqi, for some reason, she felt very uncomfortable in her heart.
"Elder Fairy Zi Li, aren't you being a bit too nosy?" Elder Yun Buqi put down his shovel, a gentle breeze brushed by, invisibly sweeping away the dust on him and Yu Mu.
He protected Yu Mu behind him and looked directly at Fairy Zi Li: "If you've come to take your disciple home, this is not the tone you should have."
"I am in charge of disciplining my disciple; what does it have to do with you?" Fairy Zi Li didn't even glance at Elder Yun Buqi, thinking that this old softie could never compete with her.
"Mu'er, come here. Your master has come to take you home."
She beckoned, thinking Yu Mu was still the disciple she could summon at will.
"You're taking me home a bit too early, aren't you?" Yu Mu stretched lazily, casually plucking another young cucumber and taking a bite.
In this life, he finally saw Fairy Zi Li again, the one who had stabbed him in the heart with the Sword of Slaughter while crying and saying sorry, twisting the sword's body with all her might, the master he once revered as a deity.
The imagined hatred, questioning, grievance, and heartache showed no signs of erupting; instead, his heart was truly calm.
Yes, compared to actively giving up life under a dead heart, everything else was trivial.
"How can you speak to your master like this?"
Fairy Zi Li stepped forward, and without moving her feet, she was suddenly in front of the two, a wave of overwhelming pressure crashing down!
Elder Yun Buqi initially wanted to protect Yu Mu, but to his surprise, Yu Mu pulled him behind him. He had no cultivation but faced with Fairy Zi Li's peak Nascent Soul stage pressure, he stood firm.
His handsome face was pale, and his clear eyes suddenly turned scarlet, with an indescribable cruelty!
"Master, this place is Elder Yun's hard work; please do not ruin it."
Deep in his eyes, there's nothing like an empty void, there is no hatred, only endless indifference, like a high deity overlooking ants.
"Mu'er, you!" Fairy Zi Li was momentarily speechless; Mu'er had never treated her this way before…
"This is the last time I will call you Master." Yu Mu spoke softly. Seeing Fairy Zi Li's pressure dissipate in surprise, his eyes were no longer scarlet.
As he spoke, he tried to tear a piece from his robe, but his lips twitched; he had no cultivation and could not pull it off.
He simply bent down, picked up a small knife used for cultivating the gourd vines, and cut off a piece of his clothing, throwing it at Fairy Zi Li's feet.
"From now on, we have no ties. You can take this peak of the Core Formation stage whenever you want; I can rebuild my cultivation, it doesn't matter. If my life is not given, I still want to keep my life to honor my Master."
Fairy Zi Li's beautiful eyes widened, and she didn't even realize her body was trembling slightly.
"Previously… it was indeed my fault that you suffered an unjust accusation, and it was indeed He'er who misjudged… But I have brought out the Xuantian Mirror to prove your innocence; your grievances have been cleared. No one in the sect dares to say anything! The reason I didn't come to get you was that your junior brother had a problem with his cultivation. Mu'er… you… are you really severing ties with your Master over this trivial matter? And you… who do you intend to honor as your Master?!"
"Mu'er… do you not listen to your Master anymore?"
Elder Yun Buqi was also stunned; at this moment, he actually saw a hint of humility from the aloof Fairy Zi Li.
How somewhat satisfying!
Moreover, little Mu… previously dared to stand in front of him! He was happy, but also more fearful! He feared Fairy Zi Li would harm little Mu…
"Elder Fairy Zi Li, did you ever believe a word I said?"
Memories from his past life surged like a tide; wanting to forget, he couldn't, damn it, it was like a nightmare, following him like a shadow.
These past few days were the most liberating days of his two lives, yet they were also shattered by Fairy Zi Li.
Yu Mu's emotions fluctuated; he was still human after all, even if he had never changed his original intention in his previous life.
He is Yu Mu… even if he has lived for thousands of years, even if he has come back to cleanse the blood on his body, he cannot wash away the bloodstains on his soul.
He is a person with flesh and blood!
Those bloodstains on his soul… he didn't find them disgusting, but he felt they were not worth it.
"Thirteen mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, what merit do I have to kill them in an instant? You know my strength best."
"You would rather believe one side of the story than trust the disciple you raised since childhood. Elder Fairy Zi Li, you truly… do not partake in the affairs of the mortal world."
A hint of mockery crossed Yu Mu's lips. Not partaking in the affairs of the mortal world, yet later she indulges Ye Tian wholeheartedly, interesting, tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk.