Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Shen Yizhou's arrival put everyone at Ou Hua Residence on edge, especially the Left Protector.

Pointing at Shen Yizhou, the Left Protector exclaimed, "I remember you, you were the one who led people here to capture us a few months ago!"

Hearing this, He Lan Min, who was previously fussing over his brother, stopped and turned slowly to look at Shen Yizhou, whose demeanor bore a slight resemblance to Mo Jiao. The Right Protector, having heard the news, joined them at the gate, with almost everyone wary of the newcomer.

Shen Yizhou nodded resignedly and chuckled awkwardly, "Yes, that's correct..."

With a face full of suspicion, the Left Protector glanced between Shen Yizhou and He Lan Min, who brought him. But since He Lan Min is Mo Jiao's brother, who grew up closely with Mo Jiao and values him above all else, hating anyone who tries to take his brother away, it was unlikely he would harm Mo Jiao – a fact known to all.

Watching the atmosphere suddenly tense up due to the Left Protector, Mo Jiao shook his head and broke the silence that seemed about to erupt any second.

"Let's go inside and talk."

He Lan Min, initially wanting to explain, saw Mo Jiao siding with him, snorted defiantly at the Left Protector, and proudly led Mo Jiao by the hand into the house.

"How's your health, brother? Is being so small alright?"

He didn't shy away from discussing such sensitive matters in front of Shen Yizhou, indicating to Mo Jiao that Shen Yizhou must already be aware.

He never knew that his brother had made such a close friend from the jianghu, especially since his brother had been at the court these past few years.

Once seated inside, He Lan Min insisted on clinging to Mo Jiao, even wanting to sit in his lap and not allowing anyone else near Mo Jiao. Although domineering, he was very gentle towards Mo Jiao, and everyone else seemed used to it or didn't mind.

Embraced by his now much taller brother, they looked like a father and son. Mo Jiao dismissed the amusing thought from his mind and remained expressionless, as He Lan Min wished, his face tight.

Shen Yizhou, clearly unaccustomed to being scrutinized by so many, awkwardly smiled at Mo Jiao and took the initiative to explain, "When I met with Master Mo last time at Ou Hua Residence, I recognized him, hence I urged Brother Zhong to leave quickly to avoid suspicion from others."

Mo Jiao had mostly guessed as much and nodded, "I owe thanks to Young Master Shen for last time. But how did you know it was me? Had you seen me before?"

Shen Yizhou glanced at He Lan Min and smiled, "I've seen Master Mo in He Lan's paintings, so I recognized you. But at that time, I didn't know you were Master Mo, not until the recent rumors in the jianghu... He Lan searched for you alone for months, and with the troubled times, I feared for his safety, so I came with him."

His manner almost seemed to please, especially towards He Lan Min and Mo Jiao, prompting Mo Jiao to raise an eyebrow and look towards He Lan Min.

He Lan Min felt the atmosphere odd, furrowing his brows at the silent gathering, and affectionately squeezed his brother's soft hand, "Brother, I've missed you these years. You never visited me in the capital, so I made many drawings of you, both as you are now and as a cute child."

At this, Mo Jiao couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. He Lan Min flashed him a pleasing smile and glanced at Shen Yizhou, speaking well of him to Mo Jiao.

"Shen Yizhou is a good person. You don't need to be wary of him. Didn't I tell you, brother? Years ago, on my way to the capital, I was saved from an assassination by a young hero, and that was Shen Yizhou! We're good friends; he wouldn't betray me."

"Indeed, I would never speak of matters here to others," Shen Yizhou quickly assured.

Mo Jiao, having met Shen Yizhou a few times, knew he wasn't a fool and should be aware of what he was doing. Associating with someone connected to the demonic sects could bring him no good.

But Mo Jiao soon thought maybe he was overthinking. Although He Lan Min grew up in the demonic sect, he wasn't truly one of them, presenting no conflict of interest with Shen Yizhou, who would naturally not undermine him.

Thus, Shen Yizhou temporarily gained the trust of Mo Jiao and others, settling down at Ou Hua Residence with He Lan Min.

However, Shen Yizhou was visibly nervous, spending the entire day with his brother and remembering only after Mo Jiao had gone to bed that Shen Yizhou was still there, finding him playing chess with the Right Protector and Mo Lao.

It was clear the Right Protector and others were bullying the honest Shen Yizhou.

While Shen Yizhou might not be considered a truly honest person, the Right Protector's use of He Lan Min's friendly address put Shen Yizhou at a disadvantage, enduring the veiled provocations about the jianghu's attitude towards their master, criticizing them as hypocrites. Shen Yizhou maintained a proper smile and nodded in agreement.

He Lan Min, slightly irritated when he came to fetch him, reprimanded the two, "How can you two bully an honest person like this? And you, Mo Da Ge, haven't you heard that true gentlemen don't speak while watching a game?"

Elder Mo's smiling face turned aggrieved as he sighed, "How could Little He Lan say such a thing? It's just that Young Master Shen's chess skills are far superior, completely overpowering the Right Protector. The Right Protector lost miserably, and I simply couldn't stand by and watch, so I had to help him a bit."

The Right Protector earnestly added, "Indeed, I greatly admire Young Master Shen's chess skills."

He Lan Min rolled his eyes secretly, declaring he was done playing and dragged Shen Yizhou away.

He knew Shen Yizhou was a terrible chess player. Moreover, he had heard the Right Protector and Elder Mo belittling the righteous path of martial arts in front of Shen Yizhou. Although he also felt those who were unkind to his brother were no good, he thought Shen Yizhou, who was unjustly scolded, was innocent.

"Shen Yizhou, do you feel uncomfortable staying here? Why don't you go back first? I'll come to find you next time."

Hearing this, Shen Yizhou immediately shook his head, "No, no, I'm not uncomfortable at all! I get along very well with your several elder brothers!"

"Really?"

He Lan Min chuckled sarcastically, seeing Shen Yizhou nod earnestly. He shook his head, "Suit yourself, just don't cause any trouble. Jing Ming Brother and Mo Brother are good people; they won’t harm you. And my brother, he's so adorable. As long as you do nothing wrong, they won't kill you. You don't need to be so nervous."

Shen Yizhou grimaced and chuckled, nodding in agreement. He felt like it was a threat, and how could he not be nervous meeting He Lan Min's family and friends for the first time?

The arrival of He Lan Min certainly livened up Ou Hua Residence, and then the Left Protector was relegated to the cold palace, no longer needed to take care of Mo Jiao, and was sent back to take care of the Right Protector, who was disabled because of him.

The Left Protector wore a pained expression as if taking care of the Right Protector was a fate worse than death.

He Lan Min indeed clung to his brother all day, not leaving his side for a moment, a sight Mo Jiao had grown accustomed to, but Shen Yizhou had not.

He always knew He Lan Min had a brother but never expected the distant He Lan Min to be such a clingy child in private, completely ignoring his friend whenever Mo Jiao was around.

According to He Lan Min, his brother's condition was severe, and he couldn't leave his side, needing constant care.

Mo Jiao's condition wasn't hidden from He Lan Min. Although He Lan Min never asked, Mo Jiao could see the concern and reluctance in his eyes. The child was just afraid of making him unhappy, so he avoided saying anything discouraging.

Elder Mo and the Little Divine Doctor returned on the fourth night after their departure.

Most in the courtyard were asleep when Elder Mo returned with injuries, the dark fabric of his sleeve clearly stained with a deep red. His expression was grave as he and the Little Divine Doctor knocked on Mo Jiao's door.

But they succeeded in their mission, bringing back the two items Mo Jiao wanted.

Elder Mo presented a finely crafted brocade box with both hands to Mo Jiao, who had just woken from a dream and opened the door in a thin coat.

"Master, we've brought back both the Kirin Spike and the Kunlun Wood."

Mo Jiao didn't alarm many, instructing Elder Mo to bring medicine for Elder Mo to dress and heal the wounds of Elder Mo, while also verifying the authenticity of the Kirin Spike and Kunlun Wood.

Truthfully speaking, Mo Jiao felt a tinge of disappointment because only Elder Mo and the Little Divine Doctor returned with the Kirin Spike and Kunlun Wood, but that person didn't come.

This fleeting disappointment was barely perceptible in his eyes. Mo Jiao looked at the injury on Elder Mo's arm, which was indeed severe, as if an arrow had deeply penetrated the bone, creating a large wound. If it weren't for the Little Divine Doctor's timely treatment, the arm would likely be useless.

The Little Divine Doctor was dressing Elder Mo's wounds, who, aside from looking a bit pale, showed no signs of pain.

"How did you get this injury?" Mo Jiao asked, looking at Elder Mo.

Elder Mo replied, "It was just yesterday when I was injured by a trap in the Sky Machine Pavilion."

"It wasn't Daoist He Yun?"

Elder Mo shook his head, looking at Mo Jiao as if he had more to say, his gaze deep.

Once the dressing was done, Elder Mo also brought over the brocade box containing the Kirin Spike and Kunlun Wood, his face unable to hide his excitement, saying, "Master, the Kirin Spike this time is real!"

The Little Divine Doctor, washing the blood off his hands, added, "It should be real. I checked it several times when I got it. Compared to the fake one that Qin Yu had last time, this is definitely a real Kirin Spike."

Mo Jiao looked at the two medicinal materials lying quietly inside the brocade box. The Kirin Spike was the size of a fingernail, blood-red throughout, resembling a wood-like Ganoderma, smooth to the touch.

In the somewhat heavy air, a faint, refreshing fragrance spread, instantly uplifting the spirit. It was the medicinal fragrance emitted by the Kunlun Wood, very familiar to Mo Jiao. At this moment, the Kunlun Wood, strung on a red cord like a pendant, lay before him.

Mo Jiao became somewhat distracted, unconsciously lifting his fingertips to touch the Kunlun Wood, picking it up. To outsiders, he appeared to be closely examining it, discerning its authenticity, but the scenes flooding Mo Jiao's mind were of the moment he had given it to Zhong Yixiao.

Mo Jiao didn't ask why the other didn't come with Elder Mo and the Little Divine Doctor; he thought Zhong Yixiao had made his decision, inevitably feeling a sense of loss.

Seeing him like this, the Little Divine Doctor couldn't help but frown and add, "Master Mo, this was personally handed to me by Young Master Zhong. It should not be fake."

Mo Jiao snapped back to reality. He could not mistake the Kunlun Wood, and the item in his hand was indeed real, but it was Zhong Yixiao who had the Little Divine Doctor return it to him, not coming himself. He realized he was abandoned, merely unwilling to accept it.

"I know."

Mo Jiao placed the items back in the brocade box, handing both over to Elder Mo.

"Now that everything is here, Elder Mo, I leave all this in your hands."

Elder Mo's expression was solemn as he nodded gravely, "I will definitely help you lift the curse, Master."

By handing everything over, Mo Jiao was entrusting his only hope of survival to Elder Mo, who understood the gravity of this, vowing to do everything in his power to cure Mo Jiao, even if the antidote recipe might be false.

Mo Jiao nodded, then, after a moment, sighed with a smile.

"Don't be too nervous, just do your best."

Hearing this, Elder Mo became even more anxious, clutching the brocade box so tightly his fingertips turned white.

"Master, don't you want to know how these items came to be?"

After a long thought, the Little Divine Doctor couldn't help but speak up. He had thought Elder Mo would stop him, but sneaking a glance, he realized Elder Mo had no such intention, and his words instead surprised both Mo Jiao and Elder Mo.

"What is it, Little Divine Doctor? Just speak your mind."

Elder Mo said this, noticing Mo Jiao's expression turning sour. Seeing Mo Jiao deliberately avoiding the topic, but knowing he actually cared, Elder Mo decided to ask on his behalf.

Undoubtedly, Mo Jiao wanted to know what the Little Divine Doctor had to say. Everyone's gaze, including Elder Mo's, converged on the Little Divine Doctor, who hesitated, eventually shaking his head with a forced smile.

"It's nothing, perhaps I'm overthinking."

Sensing something unusual, Mo Jiao pressed, "When he handed over the items to you, did he say anything?"

The Little Divine Doctor knew who Mo Jiao was referring to. Seeming preoccupied, he absently shook his head, "He didn't say much, just left a letter asking us to send the items off, without mentioning anything else."

Mo Jiao lowered his gaze, not pursuing further, understanding yet unwilling to let go. Now, he should give up, knowing Zhong Yixiao's intent to cut ties completely.

The Little Divine Doctor remained worried until Elder Mo escorted them out of Mo Jiao's room.

Walking by the lotus pond, the air filled with a subtle fragrance of lotus, a gentle breeze under the moonlight made for a serene and beautiful night.

Suddenly, Elder Mo asked the deeply troubled companion, "Why didn't you tell the truth just now? Aren't you worried about Zhong Yixiao?"

The Little Divine Doctor looked up, his smile still unnatural, "It's just unnecessary worry. Nothing has happened yet, who knows what the outcome will be? Besides, Elder Mo, don't you want the Master to give up on Zhong Yixiao?"

Elder Mo raised an eyebrow, "Why would I want the Master to give up on him?"

The Little Divine Doctor asked, "Don't you dislike him? Don't you love the Master?"

Elder Mo was confused, finding the Little Divine Doctor increasingly odd these past days, always asking strange questions. He shook his head, "Let's not talk about this anymore. You're right, even if Zhong Yixiao took the Qilin Jie, his master wouldn't harm him."

The Little Divine Doctor looked stunned, murmuring, "That's true, but what if..."

Tianji Tower.

After Master He Yun asked him to make a choice, Zhong Yixiao remained silent for a long while, then slowly knelt down. He took a deep breath, and his words turned into this—

"Master, I'm sorry."

Master He Yun's brows furrowed, seemingly pained, she asked, "You chose him?"

Zhong Yixiao kept saying sorry, his voice hoarse, even too ashamed to look up at his master.

"I should have known."

Master He Yun's lips curled into a faint smile, seemingly mocking and self-deprecating, but her tone remained very calm, "You've always been someone who values love and righteousness, even though he deceived you, you still chose him. So, what now, Yixiao, are you asking your master for the Qilin Jie?"

Zhong Yixiao didn't say anything else, just kept muttering apologies with his head bowed.

"Sorry, master..."

Master He Yun was indeed disappointed, but she had warned him, "Even if you come to me for the medicine for his sake, I won't easily give the Qilin Jie to him. Wake up, Yixiao, you shouldn't have any connection with him; he is the leader of the demonic cult!"

"Sorry, master, it's too late."

"What?"

Master He Yun didn't understand Zhong Yixiao's meaning at first, only to see Zhong Yixiao silently raising his head to look at her after a moment, his eyes full of guilt, his expression troubled and exceedingly cautious.

"Master, it's too late. I've already given them the Qilin Jie and sent them down the mountain."

"Impossible!"

Master He Yun's tone suddenly rose, instinctively denying Zhong Yixiao's words, her expression becoming tense, she insisted, "Impossible, where did you get the Qilin Jie from?"

Hearing this, Zhong Yixiao felt increasingly guilty. He opened his mouth and said softly, "I heard it."

Upon learning of the Qilin Jie's loss, Master He Yun's first reaction wasn't to look at the altar behind her where the Qilin Jie was originally enshrined, but to stare intently at Zhong Yixiao.

Zhong Yixiao met her gaze and said with pursed lips, "Master, I heard everything... On the day you formally accepted me as your true disciple in front of our ancestor's statue, I lost something in the hall. When I went back to find it, I overheard what Master said."

Master He Yun was shocked. Zhong Yixiao paused, nearly overwhelmed by shame, his tone becoming very unnatural. His fingertips hidden in his sleeves clenched tightly, too ashamed to face his master.

Because he committed an irreparable mistake, he indeed wronged Master He Yun.

"Master said, 'The item is hidden in the soft sword Zixiao given to the disciple, it's very safe...'"

By the end of his sentence, Zhong Yixiao's voice trembled.

Initially, he didn't know what item Master referred to. Without Master's explanation, he obediently didn't check it.

Only after the Physician told him the Qilin Jie was still on Xuan Nu Peak did he become suspicious. While the Physician and Shang Changlao were out, he secretly activated the mechanism on Zixiao...

And indeed, he saw the Qilin Jie hidden inside!

It showed how much Master expected of him, yet he chose to betray his sect.

His coming out was merely for the Physician and Shang Changlao to see, and to intercept Master, allowing them to leave safely.

After all, he left a letter on the desk. Once the Physician and Shang Changlao saw the items, they would surely leave.

"On my eighteenth birthday, Master sent me down the mountain and gave Zixiao to me. Since then, Master had already entrusted the Qilin Jie to me..."

Zhong Yixiao felt he was too despicable, almost incoherent. Biting his lip, his eyes reddening, he then solemnly kowtowed to Master He Yun.

"Master's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, yet I have wronged Master. It's my fault, I failed to meet your expectations."

Master He Yun, usually calm, showed a rare look of urgency and anger. She glared at her disciple, speechless, and seemed about to leave the room.

Seeing this, Zhong Yixiao hurriedly knelt in front of the stairs, spreading his arms to block his master, urgently saying, "Master! It's too late! An hour ago, I let them take the Kirin Vertebra away. You won't be able to catch up!"

"Zhong Yixiao!"

Master He Yun rebuked him with gritted teeth, her temper always mild towards this disciple, showing her true anger this time.

"Since the founding of Xianxia Sect over two hundred years ago, every head has devoted their life to protecting the sect's treasure, the Kirin Vertebra. Yet, you, a traitorous disciple, lost the Kirin Vertebra under my watch! How can I face the ancestors of Xianxia Sect, how can I face my master who entrusted the Kirin Vertebra to me?"

"I'm sorry, Master, it's my fault..."

Zhong Yixiao knew that nothing he said now would matter. The moment he unlocked the Zixiao and took out the Kirin Vertebra, he had made his decision and anticipated the outcome.

Yet, faced with reality, he was still uneasy.

"Master, don't be angry, it's all my fault. I have let down our ancestors, it has nothing to do with you!"

Master He Yun scoffed and stepped back, observing Zhong Yixiao as if seeing him for the first time, and after a long scrutiny, she could only shake her head in disbelief and chuckle.

"You gave them the Kirin Vertebra, what do you expect me to do?"

Zhong Yixiao couldn't answer Master He Yun. By giving the Kirin Vertebra to Mo Jiao, he had betrayed his sect, the sect he had yearned to proudly represent one day.

At this moment, he could only blame himself, taking all responsibility. If he were to leave, his master would be even more enraged and saddened. He couldn't abandon his master, who had nurtured him for many years.

Despite her anger, Master He Yun didn't deliberately blame Zhong Yixiao but questioned him with a heart-wrenching inquiry.

"Don't you understand? When I handed you the Kirin Vertebra, I was entrusting you with the entire Xianxia Sect. Yixiao, why... why didn't you ask me before stealing the medicine?"

"Master, I was afraid... If I had asked you, would you really have given me the Kirin Vertebra?"

Zhong Yixiao looked at He Yun with a glimmer of hope. But He Yun remained silent, possibly she might have given it, or perhaps not.

After waiting for a while without a definite answer, Zhong Yixiao sadly said, "I was afraid he wouldn't last that long, Master. He doesn't have much time left, and the Kirin Vertebra is the only thing that can save him. You've always taught me that saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-floor pagoda, so why can't we save his life?"

"But he is the leader of the demonic cult," He Yun said through gritted teeth.

Zhong Yixiao shook his head, "No, even if he is the leader of the demonic cult, so what? He's still a person, and fundamentally not evil. He has saved me many times. I owe him, and I need to repay that debt."

"You're destroying your own future!"

He Yun cut him off sharply, clearly agitated and nearly screaming, "How can you, being with him, become the head of Xianxia Sect? Choosing him means betraying our sect, betraying the righteous path of the martial arts world. Zhong Yixiao, you're willingly degrading yourself!"

"Master, I've never thought about becoming the head of Xianxia Sect..."

Realizing such words would only anger He Yun further, Zhong Yixiao quickly corrected himself, "Master, I followed you to Xuan Nv Peak when I was nine. For the nine years that followed, I spent all my time on Xuan Nv Peak under your guidance, learning to read, write, and practice swordsmanship. I shall never forget the nurturing kindness you've shown me."

"But if there were a second chance, I would still choose to give the Kirin Vertebra to Mo Jiao."

Clearly more enraged, He Yun, holding her chest in disbelief, looked at Zhong Yixiao, rendered speechless and merely shaking her head as if he was beyond redemption.

"You still don't repent, have you gone mad?"

Zhong Yixiao shook his head, earnestly saying, "Master, I know stealing the medicine would inevitably lead someone to bear the consequences. I'm sorry, Master, for disappointing your expectations of me. Therefore, I'll stay, ready to accept any punishment you deem fit."

Zhong Yixiao drew the soft sword Zixiao from his waist, which once concealed the Kirin Vertebra. He never thought, and likely neither did Mo Jiao, that the Kirin Vertebra he desperately sought was always by his side.

"Master, I'm willing to accept all punishments, even if you decide to kill me, I will have no regrets. Please, Master, punish me."

Zhong Yixiao presented the soft sword with both hands to Master He Yun, his tone earnest, causing Master He Yun to freeze, staring at her own reflection on the blade as if looking at a ludicrous joke.

Zhong Yixiao's gaze was open and serious, but Master He Yun was so angered her eyes reddened, almost trembling as she took the soft sword, in the slightly dim attic, a fleeting brilliance of sword light vanished in an instant.

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Author's note: (:з"∠)