Chapter 73 A Beautiful Dream

"Hey, do you think Lin Mumu is really sick?" Bai Qianfan nudged Chu Jianshan with his elbow.

“It can’t be her who’s sick,” Chu Jianshan asserted directly. “There are very few people born with a wood spirit core. If it’s an illness that she can’t cure herself, why would she need to seek out a doctor?”

"Besides..." Chu Jianshan pointed to the notice board, "With the notice board set up in such a remote corner, who do you think it's for?"

Bai Qianfan raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that, as expected, those cunning people play different games than ordinary people.

"But now there's a problem," Chu Jianshan said, resting his chin on his hand in thought, "how do we get in?"

This is indeed a difficult problem. The Lin family mansion is the most heavily guarded place in the entire Qingyao City. If they want to disguise themselves as doctors to get in, they will have to go through layers of checks. And they don't even have the money to buy a medicine box. They will definitely be recognized immediately.

The problems he could think of, Lin Mumu could naturally think of as well, unless... this notice was just a facade.

That night, Chu Jianshan and Bai Qianfan hid under the wall of the Lin residence, listening carefully to the sounds coming from the doorway.

For some reason, even though it was already night, more and more doctors were requesting to see him at the gate. The guards at Linyi Gate were too busy to handle the situation, so several more groups of people went to help, giving Chu Jianshan and Bai Qianfan some opportunities to slip through. However, if they were to climb over the wall directly, they would still be discovered, so the two of them simply waited for a while longer.

Sure enough, a fire suddenly broke out in the west corner of the mansion a short while later, and someone screamed and shouted that there was an assassin. The people guarding outside the wall heard the noise and rushed over.

Chu Jianshan patted Bai Qianfan, signaling that now was the time. The two took advantage of the darkness to climb over the wall and go inside. Not long after, they could still hear a maid cursing the people of Linyi Gate in a shrill voice.

"What use are you! You can't even spot such an obvious assassin! And you keep making excuses to guard the Lin residence. I think you bunch of useless trash should just go back to your Linyi Gate!"

The subsequent insults were so offensive that even Chu Jianshan found it hard to listen. He wondered which maid had such a sharp tongue. Strangely enough, despite the girl's outburst, not a single person from Linyi Gate responded, let alone laid a hand on her.

Using their memories from their previous visit to the Lin residence, the two successfully found Lin Mumu's bedroom. Upon entering, they saw Lin Mumu lying on her side on a chaise longue. As always, she loved wearing brightly colored and ornate clothes. Her delicate fingers held a fan, and she rested her chin on her hand, smiling slightly.

After Chu Jianshan went inside, he found a seat and sat down without waiting for Lin Mumu to speak. He looked at Lin Mumu and said, "It seems that Lord Lin's illness has greatly improved. He is still using a fan in such cold weather."

Lin Mumu closed her fan, and without much pleasantries, asked, "Didn't Ji Shi come with you?"

Chu Jianshan chuckled: "I know you miss him, but it's safer for him to stay in Changjin Mountain. Besides, the Lin residence has been besieged for so long, aren't you even more curious about what's going on outside?"

Lin Mumu snorted: "I've been under house arrest for so long, and it's all thanks to your good disciple."

Chu Jianshan frowned: "Did he give the order?"

"Otherwise? He is now the master of Linyi Sect, so naturally those people listen to him."

No wonder... The people guarding the Lin residence are completely different from those arrogant cultivators outside. It seems that Cheng Yuan has no intention of harming Lin Mumu.

Chu Jianshan then asked, "Are you aware of the recent disappearances in Qingyao City?"

When the matter was brought up, Lin Mumu finally sat up straight and replied, "I'm also investigating, but the situation is unclear right now, and I can't be sure it has nothing to do with your apprentice."

Chu Jianshan nodded: "I understand. If necessary, we will have to confront him head-on. The fact that he has you trapped in the mansion is just in case. Leave this matter to us. Don't show yourself yet."

Lin Mumu remained silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "Immortal Chu, are you really willing to harm your own disciple?"

Chu Jianshan smiled wryly: "I'm no longer an Immortal Venerable, just call me by my name."

Lin Mumu asked, "What do you mean?"

Chu Jianshan said, "I have already requested to leave Changjin Mountain. Whatever I do in the future will have nothing to do with Changjin Mountain."

“It seems the rumors are untrue,” Lin Mumu sighed and lay back down. “They all said that you and your master had a falling out.”

Chu Jianshan admitted, "It is indeed a complete break."

"Then why did you leave?"

Chu Jianshan unconsciously rubbed the hem of his clothes with his fingertips, and after a long silence he finally broke the silence: "To atone for my sins."

Lin Mumu nodded and didn't ask any further questions. She wasn't interested in the details of the relationship between the master and disciple.

At this moment, Bai Qianfan, who had been silent all along, spoke up and asked, "Linyi Sect is so rampant in Qingyao City, aren't there any other sects to keep an eye on them?"

“Yes,” Lin Mumu said, “Yunlan Sect.”

"Yunlan Sect?" Bai Qianfan looked bewildered. "Where did this Yunlan Sect come from?"

Chu Jianshan answered for Lin Mumu: "It's a small sect that has always been unknown, so it's true that few people know about it."

Bai Qianfan frowned slightly: "Why did you reappear when you were previously unknown?"

Lin Mumu said helplessly, "Both Changjin Mountain and Shaoxuan Sect have suffered heavy losses and are currently recuperating. They haven't sent anyone over. Other sects, seeing that Linyi Sect hasn't made any major moves, have also cowered in their shells. On the contrary, the sect leader of Yunlan Sect is a strange person. He sent people over, but he didn't fight. He just set up a few tents in the forest on the northern outskirts of the city every day. Those who know him think he's confronting Linyi Sect, but those who don't might think he's come to our Qingyao City for a spring outing."

"Ah...this??" Bai Qianfan laughed, "He is indeed a unique person."

Chu Jianshan sighed and said, "They probably want to make a name for themselves, but their sect doesn't have much power, so they're just putting on a show."

“But that’s perfect,” Lin Mumu said. “I can’t stay here long. Why don’t you go to his place? At least it’s a good place, and it’ll be convenient for you to find out what’s going on.”

The next morning, under Lin Mumu's cover, Chu Jianshan and Bai Qianfan successfully slipped out and arrived at the northern suburbs.

Upon arrival, the Yunlan Sect Master eagerly approached him, his face beaming with smiles, addressing him affectionately as "Immortal Venerable Chu."

Chu Jianshan asked, "How do you recognize me?"

As far as he knew, he had never had any connection with this sect leader. Zhang Yuan replied that he had seen him once from afar at Changjin Mountain before, so Chu Jianshan did not ask any further questions.

But when night fell, just as Chu Jianshan was about to go to sleep, several women, all dressed in cool clothing, entered his tent one by one. Chu Jianshan was startled, thinking they were assassins, and picked up Mo Yang to call for help.

One of the women in red, however, was not afraid. With her graceful waist, she swayed her body and walked towards Chu Jianshan. "Immortal Venerable, you really have no sense of romance. How could we weak women be assassins?"

Chu Jianshan closed his eyes and didn't look at her, gritting his teeth as he said, "Get out."

The woman raised an eyebrow, then placed her hand on his shoulder, gently tracing a finger down his chest, her eyes sparkling. "What if I don't?"

Chu Jianshan's head was throbbing from the fragrance emanating from her, and he could feel the veins throbbing in his temples as his fingers touched Mo Yang.

"Hey! Wait, wait, wait!" Just as Chu Jianshan was about to have an outburst, Zhang Yuan arrived in time, pulled Chu Jianshan back, and helped him catch his breath.

"Immortal Venerable, please don't be agitated. These are all prepared for you. As you know, our small sect doesn't have many good things, so we could only pick a few good ones from my own possessions. Please don't be offended."

Chu Jianshan frowned, his anger rising even more as he looked at Zhang Yuan. While others were fighting on the battlefield, he could still bring along several concubines and beauties to provide for his pleasure anytime, anywhere. He really didn't want to suffer any losses.

"Does Sect Leader Zhang think that I also like these?"

"Don't...you like it?" Zhang Yuan was speechless. After thinking for a long time, she suddenly realized something and clapped her hands.

"I remember now! Immortal Venerable Chu doesn't like women. Immortal Venerable, please wait a moment, I'll bring over a few men."

Chu Jianshan remained outwardly calm, but his hand, which was holding Mo Yang's, was trembling with anger. However, the man turned back at the door, his face full of smiles and apologies.

"Well... I don't have any male concubines either. How about this! You can choose any of the disciples in these tents you have! I guarantee I'll give them up!"

"roll--!!"

After throwing a tantrum, Zhang Yuan finally left with his men, looking dejected. As he left, he muttered something under his breath.

Chu Jianshan sat on the edge of the bed, his chest heaving, struggling to restrain himself from cutting Zhang Yuan in two. It wasn't until late at night that he finally felt sleepy and lay on the bed, drifting off to sleep.

In a daze, he heard someone enter his tent, their footsteps unhurried and unhurried, without paying any attention to the noise. Perhaps it was some extraordinary person sent by Zhang Yuan again. Chu Jianshan opened his heavy eyelids, wanting to see what it was.

The person squatted down beside his bed, looking at him. In the darkness, Chu Jianshan couldn't make out the person, but just then a gentle breeze blew open the bed curtains, letting in moonlight and allowing Chu Jianshan to see the person clearly.

When that familiar face came into view, Chu Jianshan didn't react. Instead, they stared at each other for a long time without saying a word. In the quiet night, only their breathing could be heard.

The wind stopped, and the tent was closed again.

Chu Jianshan couldn't see clearly, so he reached out and touched his face, from his forehead to his brow, then to the tip of his nose and his lips. Every part was crystal clear to him. The deep night could no longer hide the shimmering light in his eyes. After a long silence, Chu Jianshan finally spoke: "Today's dream was more real than ever before."

Chu Jianshan tried to pull his hand back, but Cheng Yuan grabbed it, gripping his wrist tightly and pressing him for answers: "What were Master's dreams like before?"

Chu Jianshan's eyes widened slightly, surprised that Cheng Yuan would take the initiative to talk to him today. After recalling for a moment, he said, "In the past two months, I could see you almost every night. Actually, I couldn't tell if it was a dream or not. I could just feel that it was you. But this is the first time I've been able to see you so clearly like today."

"Does Master like it?"

Chu Jianshan looked at him, nodded, and said softly, "I like it."

When a dream is incredibly vivid, he can temporarily treat it as reality. When he can no longer distinguish between dreams and reality, the pain in his heart can find a place to rest.

Cheng Yuan looked at him, his eyes filled with an unreadable emotion. He slowly approached Chu Jianshan, so close that their noses almost touched. "Since it's a dream, why not be bolder?"

"What?"

Before Chu Jianshan could react, the man pressed down on him. The soft touch of his lips cleared his muddled mind for a moment, but then his actions made it all muddled again.

Cheng Yuan started gently, stroking his hair and slowly rubbing his lips against his skin. His movements were so gentle that they seemed to drown him. Chu Jianshan slowly fell into this beautiful dream, sinking and suffocating.

It wasn't until the man's hand touched his waist and his heavy breathing hit his earlobe that Chu Jianshan's mental string snapped.