[天命为凰]

Untitled Part 69

069 - Sect's Game

Under the escort of An Tongchen, the teacher and disciple duo returned to Green Jade Valley.

The moment An Tongchen left, Lu Mingshu kneeled down in front of Liu Jizhen. "Master, this disciple has caused you trouble."

Liu Jizhen sighed before extending his hand to pull her up. "No, I still have to thank you."

Lu Mingshu lifted up her head and looked at him stunned.

Liu Jizhen said, "Twelve years ago when I damaged my meridians, I thought I would be a cripple for the rest of my life and my remaining years would be spent in desolation, day after day, year after year, like a zombie. But your Senior Uncle An opened up my eyes." He looked down at the child before him and continued in a soft voice, "I think I am a cripple, but to you, I am someone you rely on. If I do not stand up for you even when you are framed and bullied by others, there would be nobody else to shield you."

Lu Mingshu burst into tears. "Master!"

She hugged her master's waist and allowed herself to bawl her eyes out. Ever since her mother passed away, she had never cried this hard. Tears were only valuable when someone cared.

Liu Jizhen caressed her head softly, letting her cry. She had repressed her emotions and worked too hard these four years, making others almost forget she was still a mere child.

Once the sounds of her weeping slowly subsided, Liu Jizhen patted her head. "Alright, go and wash up before we talk."

"Un."

After she got rid of all the dust and changed her clothes, Lu Mingshu was shocked when she went to go meet Liu Jizhen.

"Master!"

The Liu Jizhen who stood before her was entirely foreign to her. He changed his woodwork clothing into the courtyard leader's robe. His long hair, clean and sleek, was draped over his shoulders with ease. Now that he was cleanly shaven, his outlined and distinct facial features were more clear.

Most importantly, Liu Jizhen's aura in the past was full of listlessness, as if nothing in the world interested him. However, the Liu Jizhen before her now stood tall and straight in high spirits. Just like how he was a while ago in Quintessence Courtyard, no one could ignore his existence.

This Liu Jizhen reminded Lu Mingshu of the legendary martial arts genius that was unbeatable in Nine Jade Palace.

Liu Jizhen smiled warmly when he saw Lu Mingshu. "Come."

Lu Mingshu walked over and sat down opposite of him. She quickly took the teapot when she saw him about to pour tea. "Master, let me."

Liu Jizhen let go and looked at her hurrying about with a smile on his face.

Once the hot teacup was in his hands, Lu Mingshu sat back down as he took a sip. "Have you ever leaked any sect information?"

Lu Mingshu was surprised but quickly understood he was asking about the matter regarding the spring hunt.

She answered, "No." No matter what, she was still a disciple of Nine Jade Palace and would never do anything to betray the sect. She had never mentioned Nine Jade Palace's internal affairs when she met Yan Wugui. Yan Wugui already knew of the beast cave's existence from the start, and it was also him who later brought her to the beast cave.

However, there was something wrong about what Yan Wugui said earlier; she did not hate Nine Jade Palace, but Fu Shangqing and the Zhou family. Hence, even though she found it delighting to watch Yan Wugui stir up trouble, it was only but a mere fleeting emotion.