Yes, Nangong Ce knows that Nangong Min is still alive, so how could he let him go? If Nangong Min doesn't return to Nangong Shenzong and resolve these old and new grudges, he will probably never have peace.

Mu Jin said, "It's all because of me. If Nangong Ce hadn't wanted to harm me, he wouldn't have discovered that you were still alive and would have come to hurt you again. I don't know if meeting me is a good thing or a bad thing. This isn't the first time you've been in danger because of me."

Nangong Min held Mu Jin's hand tightly and said gently, "Without you, I wouldn't even have the chance to take revenge. Those grudges are like a thorn in my flesh; if I don't pull them out, they will always hurt."

"Now that I think about it, I knew I would eventually go back and kill Nangong Ce, and then return to your side. I just never expected that you would be there for me during that time. I feel incredibly fortunate."

Mu Jin felt somewhat helpless. She didn't know why, after Nangong Min suffered such a serious injury, he had become so talkative. In just this short period of time, he had said as much as he had ever said since she met him.

Mu Jin withdrew her hand and said in a low voice, "When did you become so glib? Before, if I asked you a question, you would answer it, but if I didn't ask you, you wouldn't say a word for days."

Nangong Min looked at Mu Jin's slightly flushed face, but did not answer. He just looked at her with bright eyes and smiled.

Mu Jin glanced at Nangong Min again, and after a long while, she said, "After I help you take revenge, I will go to the border to find my father and my elder brother. We will eventually have to part ways."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Min said anxiously, "No, I've already thought it through. After I kill Nangong Ce, I'll select a senior disciple from the sect to take the position of sect leader and have him take good care of my grandmother. Then I'll go with you to find General Mu. Wherever you go, I'll follow."

"You have responsibilities to bear. How do you know your grandmother will agree to your leaving the Nangong Shenzong sect?"

Nangong Min said, "Grandmother was once a sect leader, and her martial arts were better than mine. That's why I've never been too worried about her getting hurt. She's always doted on me since I was little. She would give me whatever I asked for. Besides, you saved my life. Grandmother will definitely like you a lot. She'll definitely agree to me following you."

After thinking for a moment, Mu Jin still asked, "Min, are you confessing your feelings to me?"

Mu Jin found it difficult to say these words. Faced with Nangong Min's blatant expression of his feelings for her, she felt somewhat at a loss.

Mu Jin wasn't always this hesitant and evasive. Perhaps it was because she couldn't be as perfunctory as she was with other men when facing Nangong Min, who was always sincere and willing to risk his life for her.

When Nangong Min heard Mu Jin ask such a direct question, his heart began to race. He was afraid that Mu Jin would dislike what he said, but he was also afraid that if he didn't speak up, Mu Jin would leave him after helping him take revenge.

He knew Mu Jin deserved better, like Su Yi, that man was powerful and influential, lived a carefree and flamboyant life, was skilled in martial arts, and treated Mu Jin well.

The night Mu Jin was kidnapped and taken up the mountain, he clearly saw Su Yi anxiously rushing to find Mu Jin in that bandit's den, and the look of relief on his face when he saw Mu Jin safe and sound. Nangong Min knew that Mu Jin was also the most important person to Su Yi.

But he harbored selfish motives at that time and didn't tell Mu Jin. He was afraid that Su Yi would disturb Mu Jin's peace of mind.

In the past, Nangong Min only wanted to be Mu Jin's little bodyguard, silently watching her be happy and smiling.

But today, he discovered that Mu Jin also worried about him and cried for him. He was so happy that he lost his composure and revealed his true feelings.

With a blush on her face, Nangong Min asked Mu Jin, "Hmm! But does this version of me bother you?"

Mu Jin lowered her head and did not answer immediately. After a long while, she spoke softly.

“I don’t know either. I’ve always been a selfish person. In my world, only interests are eternal. I don’t believe in love or family ties. I only believe in myself. Perhaps it’s because I’ve never experienced a long-lasting relationship, so I’m afraid of the disappointment of gaining something and then losing it.”

Upon hearing Mu Jin's words, Nangong Min felt a pang of heartache.

Mu Jin continued with a smile, "But over the past year, I've felt the kindness of my father and elder brother towards me, and I've also felt the sincerity of Qing'er and you. Human hearts are made of flesh and blood, how could I be completely indifferent? It's just..."

"It's alright, it's alright. I don't ask for anything more. Just let me stay by your side and be your protector."

Seeing Mu Jin's hesitation, Nangong Min was afraid that she would refuse outright, and then he would really have no chance to stay by Mu Jin's side again.

Mu Jin chuckled. Nangong Min didn't know if Mu Jin was mocking him, or if she found his words ridiculous, or...

Mu Jin said, "Don't be like this, I didn't reject you."

Upon hearing Mu Jin's words, Nangong Min happily replied, "So you've agreed to my request?"

Mu Jin stopped laughing and said slowly, "Don't be so happy so soon. After you return to the Nangong Divine Sect and kill Nangong Ce, just as you said, your grandmother will agree to let you be with me. Then you can be happy."

Nangong Min grabbed Mu Jin's hands and placed them on his chest, looking at Mu Jin with excitement and anticipation. Mu Jin also smiled and looked at Nangong Min.

Outside the General's Mansion, Ling Feng handed Qing'er a small, exquisite box of pastries.

Ling Feng said, "My master knows that Miss Mu goes to Nanmen Street every day to buy those hibiscus rolls for her. He thinks that Miss Mu loves to eat pastries, so he asked the people in the manor to find a chef from Guangxin who is good at making pastries to make all kinds of pastries for Miss Mu. He hopes that Miss Mu will like them."

Qing'er took the pastry box from Ling Feng and said, "Then this servant thanks Prince Yi to my young lady." After Qing'er finished speaking, she smiled at Ling Feng and took the pastry box back to the General's Mansion.

As soon as the general's mansion gate closed, Qing'er immediately opened the pastry box that Su Yi had given to Mu Jin. Inside were three layers full of all kinds of pastries that she couldn't name and had never seen before.

Qing'er was overjoyed and quickly took one and put it in her mouth. The pastry was sweet and fragrant, and a rich milky aroma exploded between her lips and teeth, leaving her with an unforgettable aftertaste.

Qing'er couldn't help but sigh, "This is all thanks to our young lady." After saying that, she ate her snacks as she walked towards Qingwan Courtyard.

Ling Feng stood in front of the General's Mansion, scratched his head, wondering if something was missing. After thinking for a moment, he realized there was nothing else, so he returned to the Prince Yi's Mansion to report back.