She glanced at Wang Suizhi beside her. He had been looking thoughtful ever since he saw Xue Ranran fighting Master Kaiyuan earlier.
She suspected he might have noticed something amiss, so on the way back to Wuma Town, she asked, "Xiao Zhi, what are you thinking about?"
Wang Suizhi was no longer the dashing youth of years past, but being called "Xiao Zhi" by his master, he quickly responded, "Just now, I saw the stick that Xue Ranran used. It's exquisitely crafted… not like ordinary objects, more like the craftsmanship of Old Fourteen."
Old Fourteen? Mu Ranwu immediately recalled the renowned artisan Zeng Yi. Indeed, he possessed extraordinary skills in crafting; his hands seemed connected to the divine…
Mu Ranwu's eyes lit up. It would be a pity not to recruit such a talented individual under her banner, wouldn't it?
She tentatively asked, "Do you know what happened to Zeng Yi?"
Wang Suizhi shook his head, somewhat regretful, and said, "Back then, he was arrogant because of his talent and didn't get along well with us. Later, when Xishan disbanded, he disappeared without a trace. He never came to find us afterward… Oh, that…isn't that Old Fourteen?"
As the two were talking, Wang Suizhi, at the market on the border town, actually spotted Zeng Yi who had just gotten off a carriage.
After the incident with the Horse Trading Post, the shopkeeper and his assistants had been captured and not released. The others in the shop had no choice but to send a letter by pigeon to Zeng Yi, asking the boss to handle it.
Zeng Yi wasn't too far from Wuma Town at the time. Since the incident in the Capital, he had not been able to reach Su Yi Shui and the others, nor did he know about Ranran's recent situation.
Finally after receiving a letter from Su Yishui, saying he was coming to the border, Zeng Yi brought Bai Baishan and a few servants, hurrying all the way.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived, he encountered an old acquaintance before he could even settle down.
When Third Senior Brother Wang Suizhi suddenly appeared in front of him and called out his name, Zeng Yi couldn't help but be stunned.
"Old Fourteen, you're hiding here. Do you know how long I've been looking for you?"
Zeng Yi quietly glanced at the woman beside Wang Suizhi, who was wearing a veiled hat and said with a smile, "Yes, Third Senior Brother, long time no see. And this is…?"
At that moment, Mu Ranwu lifted her veil, revealing a face strikingly similar to Mu Qingge from her past life. "Yi'er, it's me…"
This face had a powerful effect on Mu Qingge's disciples, bringing tears to their eyes. As Mu Ranwu waited for Zeng Yi to cry and rush over to acknowledge her as his master, Zeng Yi instead hesitated and said, "You're… my Master?"
Wang Suizhi smiled and said, "Of course, your Master. Don't you know that your esteemed teacher has been reincarnated on the Rebirth Tree?"
Zeng Yi collected himself and then respectfully greeted Mu Qingge, but there was no warmth in his words.
Mu Ranwu, recalling Wang Suizhi's words about Xue Ranran's mechanical staff possibly being made by Zeng Yi and sensing his lack of enthusiasm, tentatively asked, "Yi'er, it seems like you don't want to see old acquaintances again?"
Wang Suizhi also hit his shoulder and said, "What's wrong with you? Could it be that you've become obsessed with making weapons and don't even recognize your Master anymore?"
Zeng Yi smiled wryly and said, "Of course not. It's just that I'm now running a small business to make a living and no longer think about cultivating immortality. If you two have no other business, then I'll take my leave."
However, Wang Suizhi stopped him with a hand and smiled coldly, "Master had been generous to you in the past, yet you treat her like this? Could it be that you've joined forces with Su Yishui? Is the staff in his female disciple's hand made by you? I recognized it at a glance… AH…"
Before he could finish his words, he was startled by Zeng Yi who suddenly raised his hand.
On those bare hands, there wasn't a single finger, which gave Wang Suizhi a start.
Mu Ranwu also frowned and took a step back. "What happened to your hands?"
Zeng Yi explained, "When I was young and reckless, I offended someone, so both my hands were crippled. Now I run a small business, managing hot springs and horse trading, just to make ends meet. I'm just an ordinary person, not adept at cultivating. If you two have no business with me, I'll take my leave."
Wang Suizhi felt somewhat ashamed. Fourteen's hands had seemed disabled for a long time. How could he have made weapons for Su Yishui's disciple? It seemed that he had misunderstood Fourteen.
Zeng Yi was originally someone was very proud of his talent. Now that he had become disabled, it was understandable that he felt ashamed to meet old acquaintances and didn't want to recall past events. If Wang Suizhi had known about his difficulties earlier, he would have surely helped this junior brother…
Thinking about everyone, including himself, who had left Xishan for a long time and faced their own difficulties, he felt quite emotional.
However, when Mu Ranwu looked at Zeng Yi's hurried departure, she only seemed somewhat disappointed, with a hint of regret. "Different paths lead to different destinations. Since his hands are disabled and he doesn't want to stay in contact with us, let him go his own way."
What a pity for Zeng Yi's genius in crafting, but since he had become useless, keeping him around would serve no purpose. Mu Ranwu never was one to waste effort on people or matters that didn't benefit her.
As she turned away, she didn't see the brief surprise on Wang Suizhi's face. Wang Suizhi was a businessman and naturally adept at social interactions.
However, he never expected that after Master found out about Fourteen's appalling experience, she would be so indifferent, as if she had only heard a story…
Could it be that the Rebirth Tree had made the once chivalrous and kind-hearted Master become cold-hearted?
As for Zeng Yi, meeting this imposter so unexpectedly also gave him a start. But he couldn't directly expose her identity to his former senior brothers.
Hating that Master's identity couldn't be revealed to the world yet. Recalling the words spoken by Su Yishui when he guided her soul to the tree, Zeng Yi knew that in this life, the Master must not become Mu Qingge again.
Changing heaven's will and destiny always came at a price. Back then, what Master changed was the fate of Emperors!
Now, with the premature fall of the spirit fruit from the tree, changing her birth date and eight characters, having all her spiritual energy *taken over by someone else, Zeng Yi didn't know if she could escape divine punishment...
There weren't many people left to protect Master now. But even if he had to sacrifice everything, he would definitely protect Master's well-being!
Inside Wuma Town, this encounter between master and disciple seemed to have ended without resolution. Back to Ranran, riding the Vermilion Bird, arrived at the foot of the mountain and landed lightly.
She saw Su Yishui who had arrived first, sitting on a large rock, swinging the lantern she had punctured…
Actually, Ranran didn't know what had gotten into her at that moment. She was angry and had impulsively pierced the lantern. Now, seeing Shifu looking at the punctured painting on the lantern, Ranran felt somewhat apologetic.
Between Shifu and Elder Mu, whether it was grudges or love affairs, it was their business. Did she have any right to lose her temper and damage the lantern that Shifu had worked so hard on?
Thinking of this, she hesitantly approached, took out her snack bag, and handed it to the man. "Eat some, it might improve your mood… um…do you want me to go to town and buy you a lantern?"
Su Yishui tilted his head and glanced at her guilty expression, said expressionlessly, "I don't want something bought; you have to make it yourself."
Ranran didn't know how to make it, but placating Shifu was like placating a child—agree first, figure it out later.
So, after Ranran fed him three candied plums, the demon's son Su Yishui, was at last in a slightly better mood.
Thus, the two returned to their campsite, now bright with the morning light of the next day.
As they returned, they happened to see Yutong just coming back from the rear mountains. With dew abundant in the mountains, her clothes were marked with water, showing she had been standing in the wild grass for quite some time. Or was it that she hadn't seen her and Shifu for a while, prompting her to go search?
Indeed, upon seeing them, Yutong asked, "Master, where did you two go?"
Su Yishui replied nonchalantly, "Was there anything unusual last night?"
Yutong paused, not understanding. "Did something happen?"
Ranran couldn't help but glance at second uncle master. Since their return from the sea island, everyone else was fine, but second uncle master had been absent-minded often. She recalled seeing her shed tears secretly before.
With the grand commotion last night, even sound sleepers would have been awakened by the sound of hooves. Yet second uncle master seemed clueless, clearly having left early yesterday and only returning just now.
Ranran was about to speak, but Shifu suddenly reached out and grabbed Yutong's neck.
Alarmed, Ranran thought Shifu's demonic nature had flared up again. Yutong, however, didn't evade or resist, allowing Su Yishui to snap her neck, her face actually showing a sense of relief.
Just as Ranran was about to intervene, she noticed something odd—Su Yishui seemed to be channeling his spiritual power forcibly into Yutong's body.
Su Yishui's current spiritual power, was tinged with demonic energy, and surged like turbulent waves. Though Yutong had some foundation in Qi cultivation, she couldn't withstand it. Soon, her meridians bulged, and something resembling an egg protruded from her abdomen to her throat.
At that moment, Su Yishui released his grip and Yutong collapsed to the ground, retching until she finally expelled something like a golden-shelled beetle.
Ranran was startled. She had initially thought it was an Immortal Devouring bug, but it seemed different, being bulky and unable to fly.
She raised her foot to step on it, but Su Yishui stopped her. He stooped down and scooped it into his water pouch, sealing it before tossing it into a distant mountain stream.
"That thing is poisonous; do not touch it. Now, if you have something difficult to say, you can say it," Su Yishui finally spoke.
Yutong fell to her knees, tears already streaming down her face. "Master, my son was taken by Su Yu's men. I never intended to betray you… If not for worrying about my son, I would have died for my sins long ago."
At that moment, Yuchen, Gaocang, and Qiu Xier have heard the commotion and arrived as well. Seeing this scene, they were stunned.
It turned out that Su Yu somehow learned about Yutong's family in the town below Western Mountain.
Just before they set off for the Capital, they sent people to capture her lover and son. But Yutong was unaware until later, when she found out, they already had leverage over her.
Later, Su Yu's men located Yutong and forced her to swallow this Heart-Devouring Worm.
This worm not only could release poison but also transmitted sound and sensations, a genuine eavesdropping insect.
In other words, everything Yutong saw or heard would be transmitted intact to Old Feng, who controlled the worm.
If Yutong dared to reveal anything, they would immediately kill her son and her lover.
Although Yutong intended to sever worldly ties eventually, but it would be done knowing that these two are safe and sound, doing well.
Now, trapped in such a situation, although Yutong was loyal to Master, she didn't know how to choose. If she spoke directly to Master, Old Feng would know immediately and likely harm her son. But if she left and refused to be Su Yu's informant, Su Yu still wouldn't spare her son and lover either.
Thus, Yutong could only try to avoid conversing or mingling during meals, even deliberately avoiding gatherings at night, to prevent any important information pertaining to the Spirit Spring from reaching Su Yu.
Last night was no exception. She ran to the rear mountains, cried her heart out, hence missing the exciting stampede of horses.
Here, the terrain was peculiar, a natural barrier. When circling to the rear mountains, all sounds, including the sound of hooves, were muffled, so she didn't know what happened last night.
Ranran, hearing this, finally understood. She asked in a small voice, "Did you leak the incident about Shifu possessing the White Tiger?"
Yutong nodded in shame, then shook her head. "It should have been when I was chatting casually with Xu Lang before, and mentioned it in passing. Little did I know Su Yu would scheme like this, exploiting that and nearly endangering Master…"
Xu Lang was her lover from the town below. Who would have thought these words would indirectly reach Su Yu's ears!
Curious, Ranran asked how Shifu had discovered the eavesdropping insect in second uncle master's belly.
Su Yishui explained, "By right, it couldn't be discovered. But these past days, she hasn't eaten, but the worm in her belly is a greedy one. Due to her stagnant Qi, just now, I heard the insect's noise…"
Ranran understood then.
Yuchen was enraged, stomping his feet and yelling at his sister, "I told you before, since you serve Master, how could you secretly start a family down the mountain? Now look, you've given them leverage, letting others control you and even committing treason! You, you…"
As he spoke, he suddenly pulled out a dagger, pulled open his clothes to reveal his chest, and cried, "My sister has done unforgivable things which is her elder brother's fault. I can only repent with death. I beg Master to spare my unfortunate sister…"
Saying this, he thrust the knife towards his chest. But Yutong flew over, trying to grab the knife to kill herself. For a moment, the siblings struggled, both vying for death, making for a lively scene.
Ranran went up and snatched the dagger away, tossing it far down into the ravine. Then she took a deep breath and said, "Who's right and who's wrong can be discussed later. Su Yu has people in his hands, and that child is only six years old. He might be terribly frightened now, still waiting for his mother and uncle to rescue him. If both of you die, are you going to let Shifu handle this task?"
In Western Mountain, the weight of little junior sister's words was second only to the Master's.
With her command, everyone began searching for the waterskin pouch. Su Yishui's strength was too much, and thrown it too far, they nearly lost it for good.
However, the little bug seemed to be at its last breath. When poured out of the water bottle, it flapped its wings a few times before it just died.
Yutong knew that if the bug died, it would surely reveal that things had gone wrong to the other side. Thinking that the father and son might lose their lives because of her, she felt a surge of sadness and grabbed the dead bug, intending to swallow it.
Qiu Xier, watching this, covered her mouth and retched, feeling like she could skip today's meals again, so she could still lose more weight.
Finally snatching the dead bug from her, they heard someone shouting loudly at the foot of the mountain, "By His Majesty's decree, Miss Xue Ranran is requested to receive the edict!"
The ones from Xishan glanced at each other. They hadn't expected that as soon as the bug died, someone would arrive so quickly.
When Xue Ranran descended the mountain, she saw several palace attendants under the escort of Daqi guards, holding a sealed yellow-lettered message.
The letter was personally written by Su Yu to Xue Ranran.
He seemed to have anticipated that the bug would be discovered by Su Yishui. In the letter, he apologized on behalf of Lao Feng, attributing the incident to Lao Feng's unauthorized actions. He mentioned that the child and the scholar had been brought to Wuma Town and have been settled in a courtyard.
Such understanding words made it seem like a genuine misunderstanding.
By the side, Su Yi Shui had a faint redness in his eyes.
It would seem that Xiao Yu was still good at playing people. Knowing Ranran's birth secret, he wanted to appear as the good guy in front of her.
Using a child to coerce his mother was an utterly shameless act, and there was no good way to put it.
If Su Yishui hadn't discovered the bug and this goodwill letter had arrived earlier, it would have seemed like Su Yu had discovered his subordinates acting inappropriately and took the initiative to admit it. The Emperor would have appeared as an honest and upright man before Xue Ranran…
This desperate attempt to please and ingratiate oneself was truly admirable! In her past life, "Xiao Yu" had gained Mu Qingge's trust step by step this way, gradually alienating him…
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but grab Ranran's slender arm firmly. Ranran, sensing his demonic nature resurging, though unsure of the reason, reached back and held his arm, saying softly, "Uncle Master Zeng Yi should have arrived at Wuma Town. If Shifu is worried about deception, we can ask Uncle Master Zeng to send someone to verify first."
As her hand rested on his, the faint redness in Su Yishui's eyes gradually dissipated.
Since their whereabouts were now known, staying on the mountain was useless. They might as well return to town.
The eunuch smiled at Xue Ranran and continued, "When His Majesty was unconscious, some subordinates didn't understand the situation and even put your portraits on wanted posters. His Majesty is much better now and has ordered your portraits, along with those of the other immortal masters, to be taken down. Please rest assured and go ahead to town."
After delivering the message, the eunuch instructed the others to descend the mountain.
Hearing that the emperor had ordered the release of her son and Yu lang, Yutong was eager to descend immediately.
However, Su Yu was a cunning one, so they still waited a day to gather information, before returning to Wuma Town at last. Gao Cang and Qiu Xier went to the notice board and confirmed that their wanted posters were gone.
The incident of the horses had also been clarified, so the employees from the Horse Trading Post were also released.
Zeng Yi stood at the entrance of the Horse Trading Post to welcome Ranran. The son of the second uncle master and the scholar Zhao Xuan were brought over by her.
After Su Yishui checked their vitals and confirmed they were not poisoned, the second uncle master hugged her somewhat emaciated son in tears.
And so the warm bedding and the braised pork finally fell into place after a series of ups and downs.
While Ranran and third senior sister went to take a hot bath, Zeng Yi and Su Yishui had a private conversation.
"After Su Yu made such a big fuss, why did he act so kindly all of a sudden?" Zeng Yi had already planned to shut down all his businesses and follow Xue Ranran and the others in exile, roaming the world, but unexpectedly, things took a turn.
When he finished asking, not hearing a reply from Su Yishui, he turned to look and saw him sitting cross-legged there, hands clenched. Although his expression was calm, the veins on his arms were bulging, obviously silently resisting the sudden resurgence of his demonic nature.
Seeing this, Zeng Yi sighed slightly, took out a string of transparent glass prayer beads from his pocket, and handed them to Su Yishui. "These are the calming beads that Master begged from the Tower of Eternal Life when you fell into demonic tendencies back then. Wear them close to your body to alleviate some of the demonic nature. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to give them to you before, so I held onto them. Now they can be of use again…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Su Yishui snatched the glass prayer beads away. When he put them on his wrist, a refreshing chill came, and indeed, the demonic nature slightly diminished.
"There's nothing difficult to understand about what he's doing. He must know that the Spirit Spring is in my possession. For the safety of the mortal realm, he can't wait for me to find the entrance to the Netherworld realm quickly and return it. Moreover, he hasn't died yet; someone must have given him some temporary relief, but to completely rid himself of the ailment and pain, he needs to visit the Netherworld realm. So, until we find the entrance to it, we're temporarily safe."
After calming his restless thoughts, Su Yishui explained slowly.
Zeng Yi nodded, sighing, "I know you've always resented Master for altering your fate. But you should also understand, if it weren't for Master changing your destiny back then, even if everything had gone according to your wishes, what would have been the outcome…"
Su Yishui didn't speak. He stood up and went to the window, where he could see the backyard of the horse trading post. Two girls who had just finished bathing were in the yard, looking at a newly born foal.
The young girl with slightly damp long hair was smiling exceptionally dazzling as she stroked the foal's mane.
Su Yishui calmly touched the prayer beads on his wrist. Only he knew that he did indeed resent her, initially because she altered his destiny. But later on, he realized that his resentment towards her was just a little too much… What exactly was mixed into this resentment, only he himself knew…
Zeng Yi had gotten used to Su Yishui not responding. He thought he had hit the mark on Su Yishui's thoughts and sighed before continuing, "Although you helped Master be reborn, you cannot bear the divine punishment for her. But when Master fell back then, she was not yet ripe, and we don't know if altering her birthdate would be beneficial to her…"
This time, Su Yishui finally spoke, "I won't let anything happen to her…"
Assured, Zeng Yi nodded, "When I arrived in town, I saw that Elder Mu, and the former senior brothers were all around her. Her deception will eventually dishonor Master's name… What do you think, should we tell them the truth to prevent them from being deceived?"