Zhan Ran, wait—Yufen, go summon all the direct disciples, and include Master Zhuzhao as well,” Master Zhuzhao waved her hand suddenly.
Li Muzhan, his mouth dry from talking, took a sip from his teacup. “Master~~~”
Master Zhuzhao smiled, pursing her lips. “What? Are you worried they’ll write things down?”
Too many mouths mean slips are inevitable. Li Muzhan nodded with a wry smile.
The Master is truly brilliant; fortunately, her heart is pure. Otherwise, facing her, he couldn’t use his ability to read minds, and controlling his emotions would be terribly difficult—just like with Senior Sister Wen Yinyue.
“Relax, they don’t have any quarrel with you!” Master Zhuzhao shot him a look. Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed. “The human heart is hard to fathom. I rose so fast; naturally, some people will want to play jokes on me, testing me and bringing trouble upon themselves!”
Master Zhuzhao gave him another look, then raised her voice. “Yufen!”
The delicate young girl floated back. “Sect Leader?”
Master Zhuzhao said, “Don’t call so many people. Just call Ruolan, Qingyun, and Xiaoyuan.”
The delicate young girl nodded and floated away. ～～～～～～～～～• Seeing Li Muzhan watch the girl leave, Master Zhuzhao smiled. “What do you think of this little girl?”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Her bone structure is rare and clear; she is intelligent and kind-hearted—a rare piece of good material!”
“Indeed. Yinyue brought her back. She’s also had a hard life,” Master Zhuzhao commented.
Li Muzhan quickly smiled. “Senior Sister’s judgment is naturally flawless!”
Wen Yinyue, seated beside Master Zhuzhao, glanced at him faintly, as if meaning something by it. Li Muzhan immediately offered a fawning smile, earning a look of disdain from her.
Li Muzhan had complex feelings for this Senior Sister; her emotional roles shifted too quickly, unlike with others, where he could maintain a detached perspective.
Master Zhuzhao saw the understanding passing between the two and was amused and delighted, chuckling loudly. Li Muzhan looked slightly awkward and let out a few hesitant laughs, while Wen Yinyue remained composed, gazing placidly into the distance without any sign of disturbance. Soon, Mei Ruolan, Gong Qingyun, and Xiaoyuan entered. Upon seeing Li Muzhan, seated on a meditation cushion in his wind-swept, moon-white monastic robe, Li Muzhan rose and greeted them with clasped hands. “Junior Sister Mei, Qingyun, Xiaoyuan.” “Ah, Zhan Ran, when did you return?” Xiaoyuan’s bright eyes widened with joy. She ran forward and tugged at his sleeve.
“Ahem!” Mei Ruolan cleared her throat lightly, glancing at him with her hazy eyes.
Xiaoyuan’s face flushed. Only then did she realize her impropriety. She quickly curtsied to Master Zhuzhao and Wen Yinyue with a red face.
Master Zhuzhao laughed. “Xiaoyuan is truly genuine. Why restrain her, Ruolan?”
Mei Ruolan smiled faintly and nodded lightly. ～～～～～～～～～～～• Gong Qingyun remained silent, tightly biting her cherry lips, staring intently at Li Muzhan, her entire body seeming to glow.
Li Muzhan smiled warmly. “Qingyun, you’ve grown thinner!”
He had switched his address instantly, no longer calling her ‘Senior Sister Gong,’ sensing the overwhelming joy and longing emanating from her.
“It’s all because of you!” Xiaoyuan glared at him, then shrank her neck, glancing at the others before sticking out her tongue in a quick, playful pout.
Two patches of red rose on Gong Qingyun’s fair cheeks, looking exquisitely tempting and captivatingly charming.
Though shy, her gaze remained fixed on Li Muzhan, unwilling to turn away.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Master, let Qingyun, Xiaoyuan, and Senior Sister Mei accompany me. My residence is empty; it’s truly dull!”
Master Zhuzhao pursed her lips and smiled. “Alright, as long as they agree!”
Li Muzhan quickly chimed in, “If you tell them to agree, Master, your golden words cannot be defied by anyone!”
Asking Mei Ruolan and the others to agree was truly putting them on the spot. A maiden’s shyness and reserve might cause them to say the opposite, which would be disastrous.
Wen Yinyue spoke calmly. “Master, let them go with him.”
“Oh——————?” Master Zhuzhao looked at Wen Yinyue with considerable surprise.
Wen Yinyue glanced at Li Muzhan. “Senior Sister Mei and the others have never left Canghai Mountain, and no one else knows they are from Canghai Mountain.”
Master Zhuzhao nodded, still looking at her with confusion.
Wen Yinyue added faintly, “In the adjacent estate to his lives a beautiful woman, and he also has entanglements with the eldest daughter of the Fan Family Escort Agency, the largest in the city.”
Master Zhuzhao burst into laughter, finally understanding Wen Yinyue’s meaning.
She laughed lightly a few times before stopping, glancing at Li Muzhan, and humming, “You scamp, you have quite the knack for stirring up the affections of young women!”
Li Muzhan quickly protested, “Senior Sister, you are wrongly accusing me! The Fan Family’s eldest daughter—we didn't know each other until we fought! Thirteen Lady has ulterior motives; she cannot be judged fairly!”
“The Fan Family’s eldest daughter, Thirteen Lady—tsk, tsk—both must be blooming beauties!” Master Zhuzhao eyed him askance.
Li Muzhan chuckled twice and slowly nodded.
Master Zhuzhao waved her hand decisively. “Fine! I approve! You all go over together!”
“Yes!” Xiaoyuan responded crisply, shooting Li Muzhan a sharp look.
Mei Ruolan and Gong Qingyun nodded lightly, avoiding Li Muzhan’s gaze.
Li Muzhan scratched his head, glaring at Wen Yinyue. This Senior Sister truly enjoyed making him look foolish whenever the opportunity arose!
Master Zhuzhao huffed, “Enough! You rascal, why are you dawdling? Hurry up and tell us about your travels since leaving the mountain!”
Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile, no longer delaying, and began recounting the events since his departure from the mountain from the very beginning.