Chapter 51: Is a pair of hands more important, or a life...?

The result, of course, was wishful thinking. Those who realized the delusion still had to save their lives to go back and see their master.

After confirming their relationship, they would even wake up in the middle of the night to check if the person they longed for was beside them.

Sleeping in the mountains and fields is not easy. The calls of various birds and animals are mixed together, and the noise becomes more and more chaotic when it is about to dawn, as if they are jumping around in your ears.

When Shimi opened her eyes, he was still asleep, with long, thick eyelashes and a high, straight nose. Unfortunately, there was a wound on his nose, but it didn't detract from his good looks; instead, it gave him a poignant, war-damaged beauty. She was still marveling at her own craftsmanship. Before, she had doubted herself because she thought he truly had a defect. Now that she was certain he was unharmed, her confidence returned, and she felt that making ten more of these unparalleled puppeteers wouldn't be a problem.

The more she admired him, the more smug she became. She considered herself lucky to have met someone as accomplished as herself. But as she watched, she noticed the corners of his lips slowly curving upwards, and his eyelashes fluttering, as if he were about to ask her if she had seen enough.

She quickly turned her gaze away, pretending to look at the mountains and rivers, but he grabbed her hand and said with annoyance, "You've been like this since you woke up... Ah Mi, can you take a look at me and see if I'm sick?"

The hand that was pulled over landed precisely on an unspeakable spot, so quickly that it didn't even give her a chance to hesitate.

Shimi gained a deeper understanding of himself. Not only was he skilled, but he also had a magnanimous nature... However, he was a little embarrassed to do it in broad daylight, so he pinched her hand and then pulled it back. "If anyone says that the Grand Tutor is old and frail again, I will turn against him."

He chuckled, "Besides you, who else would dare to complain about me? Old and frail... Haven't I been able to prove that I'm still in my prime? If that's the case, then let's do it again."

She quickly stopped him, "No, no, my senior brothers must be looking for us. If we're caught, how can I face anyone!" As she spoke, she tucked his robe in, "Quickly put your pants on."

That statement is ridiculous no matter how you look at it; he really did wear his pants loose all night, which now seems really indecent.

He slowly got up, straightened his clothes, and only then did he realize that his knee was sore. He bent down to look and saw that his knee was indeed scraped. But he couldn't let her see it, lest it become another reason for her to reject him.

Stepping off the cliff and looking around, I discovered that this place was a dry riverbed, low-lying and surrounded by dense forest. Finding this place would have been quite an ordeal if I hadn't descended vertically from the cliff.

Shi Mi wanted to walk out and perhaps find his way through the woods, but Lu Min felt it would be safer to wait for someone to come and meet him.

"Keep the fire going, and I'll hunt some game for you." He picked up two pebbles with great interest and wandered around the edge of the woods. A little while later, he returned carrying a pheasant, plucked its feathers, skinned it, and skewered it on a branch.

Despite being in dire straits, they lived as if they were traveling and enjoying the scenery. After eating their fill, they lay under a tree watching the white clouds and blue sky. Just as they were about to fall asleep, Bai Heliang's voice rang out: "My lord, my lady... Thank goodness, you are both safe and sound."

Lu Min was still a little unhappy that he had been found so quickly. He sat up, rubbing his forehead, and said, "You handled things efficiently this time."

"Thank you for your praise, my lord," Bai Heliang said happily. "We searched all night, but it was too dark and the forest too dense to find them. At the first light of dawn, we split into several groups to search in all directions, and finally found the whereabouts of my lord and the queen. I was almost in tears..."

Unable to discern good from bad, Bai Heliang is just a bit of a smarter idiot, not quite knowing how to be tactful.

Lu Min's gaze fell on his face. "How many are left? Where are they now?"

Bai Heliang said, "Two secret guards and eighteen assassins. I have already sounded the alarm to inform them, and they will be here immediately."

Lu Min remained silent, his eyes revealing a cold and murderous glint, causing Shi Mi's heart to leap into her throat.

She knew what he was thinking. What had happened last night was a truly earth-shattering secret, and the more people involved, the greater the chance of it being leaked. She remembered the strategist Luo Jie who had initially made the contact; he had completely disappeared without a trace. When Emperor Shengyuan was replaced, he had her make a human skin mask of Luo Jie to prove that he had already silenced him.

Leaving no one in the know alive was his usual tactic. Bai Heliang should have known this, which is why he lowered his head tremblingly, a look of fear on his face, when Lu Min asked about the number of people. These guards, whether they were assassins or assassins, obeyed orders unconditionally, just like the puppets. Perhaps the next moment, once everyone was gathered, they would receive his order to keep quiet.

“Lu Min…” she called his name softly, without saying anything more, but he already understood what she meant.

He glanced at her, pondered for a moment, and finally changed his mind. "Send these twenty people far away, and they shall not be allowed to enter the capital without being summoned. As for you, keep your mouth shut, or you know perfectly well what will happen to you."

Only then did Bai Heliang dare to breathe, bowing deeply, "Your Majesty, I understand, please rest assured."

The sound of the whistle quickly attracted the attention of those searching in all directions. When San Yan ran to Shi Mi in his broken state, his eyes were covered with a layer of film. Only after she inserted the silver needles back behind their ears did the white film disappear. He immediately opened his mouth to cry, but Shi Mi stopped him with a look.

Lu Min glanced at Bai Heliang, who understood. Bai Heliang stepped back, summoned the arriving assassins, bowed, and quickly left.

Shi Mi approached Gu Jing Guan and asked his senior brother if everything had been resolved. Gu Jing Guan nodded, a bitter smile on his face. "I thought I would never be able to avenge Miao Ruo in this lifetime, but I never expected that after so many years, I would still have this opportunity."

However, it must be admitted that Lu Xuanzhou is a man of unwavering resolve; romantic feelings are meaningless to him. After using the Nightmare Master's death to feign death, he never even sought out the Grand Princess, to the point that Gu Jingguan had long since given up on his revenge plan. If Lu Xuanzhou hadn't revealed himself this time, no one would have known he was still alive.

A person who never existed in the world comes and goes, like raindrops falling into a river, unnoticed by anyone.

The six men tidied up, retrieved their horses, and headed towards Lingyin Mountain. The journey from here wouldn't take too long; after about two more days, they reached the foot of the mountain.

Looking up, the mountains are majestic, and there are clusters of buildings on the mountainside, where the Shimi brothers and sisters lived for many years.

Gu Jingguan was somewhat timid and awkwardly said to Shimi, "I'm very nervous. I don't know if Master will be willing to see me."

Shi Mi wasn't sure either, and gave an awkward laugh. "What I brought back isn't good news either. I hope Master won't be so angry that we've teamed up against him!"

Gu Jingguan exchanged a silent glance with her, stepped up the stairs, and knocked on the mountain gate.

A young boy opened the door, poked his head out, and asked, "Where do you come from, distinguished guest? Whom do you wish to visit?"

Shi Mi called out "Qing Fu," and said, "This is my senior brother, who has returned to pay his respects to our master."

The gatekeeper Qingfu was overjoyed to see Shimi. "Senior Sister Jie, you're back!" Of course, he had heard of this senior brother before. He had once caused a sensation throughout the entire Lingyin Mountain. It was just a pity that he had not yet become a disciple at that time and had no chance to meet him.

Since they had come back with their senior sister, they naturally wouldn't be made to suffer any difficulties. However, he still had to announce their arrival and let them in first. He then asked Shimi, "Is senior sister waiting here, or would you like to go in and deliver the message?"

Shi Mi said, "I will wait with my senior brother. While you are at it, please also tell Master that I have brought the boy back and ask Master to examine him."

Qingfu was even more surprised. He glanced at Alidao and Lu Min, and in an instant, he ruled Alidao out. He replied repeatedly, "Oh, Senior Sister got married... Oh, I'll be right back."

Qingfu ran off quickly, and Ali Dao, watching his departing figure, asked Shi Mi, "What did that boy mean by looking at me just now? Why did he stop looking at me later? A Mi, we also need to see our elders."

Shimi said, "I see you feel it's inappropriate for you to meet your master in such tattered and ragged clothes. I'll have someone take you to my old residence later so you can change into clean clothes before you pay your respects to your master."

San Yan looked down at himself upon hearing this. Indeed, his night clothes were torn, and it would be disrespectful to his elders to show himself like this.

As for the waiting time, it was bound to be the longest. Everyone was a little uneasy, sitting there with their knees tucked in their hands, occasionally glancing at each other in silence.

After waiting for a while, Qingfu finally ran back. The three of them got up to greet him, wondering what news he would bring. Fortunately, Qingfu, panting, gestured, "The mountain lord has spoken, allowing the three of you to come up the mountain."

At that moment, Gu Jingguan felt a mix of emotions. He had already prepared for the worst, but his master was still willing to see him.

He swallowed his bitterness and followed Shimi and Lu Min up the mountain. Every blade of grass and every tree on the mountain was still the same as it had been more than ten years ago. He never dreamed that he would return one day. He was grateful for his master's kindness and also thankful for his junior sister's support.

Xuanji Hall is the center of the entire Lingyin Mountain, built on a platform supported by a thousand sturdy wooden pillars. The main hall and the winding passageway are nearly ten zhang apart in elevation. Before one even reaches the steps, one can see an old man in a sky-blue robe standing in front of the railing. The figure is very familiar, and even after many years, it seems that nothing has changed.

Shimi sighed, "Master has always been thinking of you, Senior Brother. When he learned of your return, he came out of the main hall to greet you."

Gu Jingguan stared straight ahead as he staggered up the steps. The stone steps were so high and so long that it seemed like he would never reach the top.

Finally reaching the platform, he knelt down with a thud, crawling forward and kowtowing, saying, "This unworthy disciple, Gu Jingguan, has betrayed his master for fifteen years. Today I return to confess my sins, and I beg my master to punish me severely."

Master Wei's gaze slowly descended, landing on his prized disciple whom he hadn't seen for many years. His eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions: blame, helplessness, pity, and boundless joy.

Perhaps time really can heal all wounds. The resentment of the past turned into a long sigh. Master Wei lowered his hand and took his arm. "Why did you only come back now! You must have suffered a lot while wandering around all these years?"

These words brought tears to the eyes of the usually indifferent Gu Jingguan. All the hardship and exhaustion transformed into immense guilt towards his master. Guilt for failing his master's hopes, and guilt for not being able to show him filial piety for the past fifteen years.

The master's change of attitude meant that the long-standing grudge had been resolved, and the master and disciple had reconciled. Shimi cautiously thought that perhaps if the master forgave his senior brother, he could also benefit from the change. After all, his mistake was less serious than his senior brother's; Miaoruo was a fully-fledged puppet, while Lu Min was only a half-puppet.

So she mustered her courage and called out, "Master, are you only concerned with catching up with your senior brother and ignoring Ami?"

Master Wei then turned to look at him and smiled, "I saw you a while ago, but I haven't had time to pay attention to you." As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Min. After just one look, his expression darkened, and he questioned Shi Mi, "This is your husband?"

Shi Mi immediately felt guilty, realizing he was in trouble and was about to unleash a torrent of abuse. But his master's eyes were sharp and discerning; he saw through her immediately. His senior brother's matter was settled because Miao Ruo was dead and there was no need to pursue it further, but his own transgressions were fresh and unresolved, and he feared he wouldn't get away so easily.

Just as he was about to nod reluctantly, Lu Min, who was standing to the side, cupped his hands to Master Wei and said, "Lu Min, Grand Tutor of the Yan Dynasty, greets Master Wei."

"And he's a Grand Tutor," Master Wei asked with a glance. "Are you married? Are you a fake couple, or a real one?"

This question left Shimi utterly ashamed, her head nearly drooping to the ground. Lu Min, however, remained composed and answered frankly, "Ami and I have developed feelings for each other over time, and I never intended to deceive the Master. I returned with her this time to apologize to our sect. The Master has shown Ami immense kindness, and I, Lu, also deeply respect the Master. If our marriage violates the sect rules and displeases the Master, I, Lu Min, am willing to take the punishment on her behalf. I only ask for the Master's forgiveness to preserve our master-disciple relationship."

Master Wei's expression grew increasingly grim. He turned to Shi Mi and asked, "Before you left the mountain, what did I tell you, and what did I repeatedly instruct you on? Do you remember?"

Shi Mi knelt down and said, “Disciple remembers. Master Yan is not allowed to have feelings for Yan people. Anyone who disobeys will have their hands crippled and be expelled from the sect... But Master, he is not a Yan person. He is already a living person.”

"A living person?" Master Wei retorted. "Can he live day after day without your blood to sustain his life? There is no difference between a half-human and a half-human, and half-human is even more difficult to control. You all complain about the harsh rules of the sect, but you don't know that forbidding you from developing feelings for a half-human is to protect you, to prevent you from being coerced by emotions and becoming the bloodline of the half-humans. Do you understand?"

Shi Mi prostrated himself on the ground, ashamed, and said, "Disciple understands Master's good intentions, but things have already come to this. Please forgive disciple and give disciple a chance."

Master Wei showed no mercy, coldly saying, "You don't have to come back. If you don't come back, the sect won't pursue you. You exhausted your life essence in that mortal world, and I didn't even know."

“She came back because she values ​​the bond between master and disciple.” Lu Min lowered his posture and pleaded, “Please, Master, forgive her for giving me her body out of filial piety. I have no ulterior motives towards her and will uphold my vow to her for the rest of my life. I will not harm her in the slightest. Please grant my request, Master.”

Master Wei chuckled, "If you want to live, Yueyue will hurt her every time. Banyan is like a dying lamp, only her blood can rekindle it. Every time she extends your life, she gains another wound. You actually say you won't hurt her? What a joke!"

There was no need to waste any more words. Master Wei looked directly at Shi Mi and said, "You have two choices: either destroy your own hands or throw him into the fire. Choose one."

Upon seeing this, Gu Jingguan's dead memories resurfaced in his mind. He pleaded frantically, "Master, their current situation is due to many causes and conditions..."

Master Wei raised his hand to stop him, indicating that he did not need to continue. “I, Wei Xun, have been in charge of Lingyin Mountain for forty years and have devoted my life to teaching disciples. However, I have failed to produce a successor with impeccable virtue. I am ashamed of my sect. The fault lies with the disciple. I will go to the Three Precepts Hall to confess my sins and resign from my position as the mountain master later.”

Shi Mi never imagined that her following the crowd would lead to such serious consequences. She burst into tears, "Master, I was wrong, I am willing to accept the punishment. Please cripple my hand and expel me from the sect. I only beg you to take care of yourself and not go to the Three Precepts Hall."

She held her hands high and presented them to Master Wei. But before Master Wei could react, Lu Min pulled her back and turned to Master Wei, saying, "Why destroy her hands? Since the sect rules are so heartless, there's no need to follow them. Master Wei keeps accusing me of hurting her, but now you want to destroy her hands. I can no longer tell whether I or Master Wei hurt her more."

His words further displeased Master Wei. "Once you enter the sect, you must abide by its rules. Jie Shimi is a disciple of Lingyin Mountain; the sect's decisions regarding its disciples are none of the business of outsiders. I know the Grand Master wields power; if this small Lingyin Mountain were to launch a large-scale attack, it would be utterly destroyed." He glanced at Shimi as he spoke. "Your senior brother merely violated the sect rules, yet you intend to plunge Lingyin Mountain into utter ruin. Shimi, you were raised by your master; I never imagined you would repay your benefactor like this."

Shi Mi was stunned for a moment, then said with a livid face, "Even if I die, it will not bring disaster to the sect." Without further hesitation, she pushed him away, "Go away, don't worry about me."

Lu Min gritted his teeth, not moving an inch. "I will not let you suffer torture. If the real person cannot forgive, then let me bear it alone."

Shi Mi hissed, "Don't go crazy, you'll be burned alive! Which is more important, a pair of hands or a life?"

If I had to weigh the pros and cons, her life would be more important. But as a man, I couldn't ruin her life after receiving her kindness.

“I was already a dying man, but because of you, I’ve managed to live for another six months.” He tenderly took her hand in his, his gaze lingering on each finger. “Your skills are so good, they can’t be wasted. If you’re left with a disability for the rest of your life to save me, I’ll have no face to face you…”

Shimi interrupted him hastily, "I'll just give back everything I've learned, so don't bother me."

Master Wei frowned, "You need to think carefully about what gives you the confidence to protect yourself. As a puppeteer, you are worthless without a hand. Do you believe in a man's vows? He may say he loves you today, but tomorrow he can imprison you, keeping you on the verge of death, and use you as a tool to prolong his life."

With tears streaming down her face, Shimi lowered her head sadly. "I understand what Master means, but I can't just stand by and watch him be burned to death."

Lu Min raised his hand to wipe away her tears and said gently, "Don't cry, tears are the most useless thing." After saying that, he turned to face Master Wei, and bowed deeply. "The king of Yan Dynasty was ruthless and has been replaced by Yanren. Now the court is without a ruler, and if I die, the world will surely be in chaos. But I know that this heart has nourished this body for a long time, and it can now handle the affairs of the court as usual. Please, Master Wei, for the sake of the millions of people, allow me to keep this body so that Yanren can continue to balance the court. My death is not a pity, the country cannot be shaken. It was Ami who put this heart into Yanren's chest. Today, I also ask Ami to settle this matter, so that she can give her sect an explanation and send me off on my final journey."