When they were on the Jue Mountain, Wen Hongshan saw Mu Qingge, who was born from the spiritual fruit, apologize to her as soon as he opened his mouth, and that's when she became suspicious.

As for the matter of the two spiritual fruits, they got it out of a Chimen monk captured by their Kongshan sect that day and tortured him out of his mouth.

Because Wei Yan had previously searched the village at the foot of the mountain, looking for a girl who was born in the Qing Geng year, Wen Hongshan made some inquiries and figured out the whole story.

She came here to test the fake's background and see if she could find out the whereabouts of the real Mu Qingge. She didn't expect that the fake didn't know either. It was really... interesting.

Mu Qingge didn't even need to feel resentful at this moment, she could feel the blood running down her body running cold - the thing she was most worried about had happened, someone actually discovered that there were two fruits on the reincarnation tree.

In other words, the fruit that should have died young may still be alive now?

Mu Qingge's hands were shaking and her heart was in a state of confusion.

When she thought "she" was gone, she felt sad for a moment, but she just thought that as long as she and "her" were still alive, she felt much more at ease.

But now I was surprised to hear that "she" might still be there, and for a moment I felt more fear than joy.

Su Yishui has always been unusually cold towards me... Could it be that he also knows the secret that the reincarnation tree has two spiritual fruits?

Thinking that he knew it all but just watched me acting coldly, I felt such shame and anger that it felt like I was struck straight down from the top of my head.

Mu Qingge took a deep breath and regained his composure: "You came here on purpose, didn't you just want to say something I don't understand? You said the reincarnation tree has borne fruit, so where is it now?"

Wen Hongshan was not annoyed when he saw that the fake was still holding on. He just sneered twice and said, "Let me guess who you are? The reason why Mu Qingge fell into the encirclement set by the three major sects was because she was anxious to rescue her sister Mu Ranwu who was in a 'trouble'. However, she didn't know that this was a dead end set for her by her own sister and outsiders. Tsk tsk, Mu Ranwu, although she is Mu Qingge's sister, has mediocre roots and no achievements in cultivation. People will forget her after seeing her and will not leave any impression on people. However, such a harmless existence has a vicious and meticulous mind and has no hesitation in harming her own sister."

"Shut up! If you dare to talk nonsense again, you will never be able to leave this Daqi Palace!" Mu Qingge's eyes gradually became bloodshot and his voice suddenly became hoarse. It was obvious that he was using his true energy and could no longer maintain the illusion of calmness.

Hearing her threatening words, Wen Hongshan sneered and said, "It seems that you are really Mu Ranwu... You are really amazing. Who would have thought that an inconspicuous girl would have such extraordinary abilities. In this case, we can cooperate."

Mu Qingge, or rather Mu Ranwu, narrowed his eyes: "What do you mean by cooperation?"

Wen Hongshan said coldly: "Mu Qingge and our three major sects have an irreconcilable feud, we must not let her escape and slowly grow her wings!"

Mu Ranwu looked back at her coldly. After thinking for a moment, she finally smiled slowly: "Tell me how you want to cooperate with me."

Wen Hongshan clenched his fists and said word by word: "Of course, we must find her first!"

Mu Ranwu smiled. After thinking quickly, she finally said, "Okay, I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation this time. But before that, I have to trouble Miss Wen to do something for me."

After saying that, she whispered to Wen Hongshan. Wen Hongshan's eyes widened as she heard it: "How dare you..."

Mu Ranwu gently placed her finger on her lips and said in a low voice: "Miss Wen, if you want to achieve great things, you have to dare to risk the world's disapproval. Don't you think it's time to change the leader of the Kongshan Sect?"

…

Not to mention the collusion in the palace, Xue Ranran followed his master on a journey of sightseeing. The first thing he did after returning to Xishan was to take the gifts he bought for his parents and prepare to go down the mountain to see them.

But the new rules stated: "You cannot leave your master even a step away." If she wanted to go down the mountain, she naturally had to ask her master for permission to see if he could make an exception and allow her to go back to visit her family.

Although cultivators must stay away from the secular world, Su Yishui was very sympathetic to his half-baked apprentice. After listening to her, he nodded and said, "I'll go with you."

Xue Ranran was also very happy to hear this: "My mother's tofu pudding is delicious, and it's even better with fried red bean cakes! I'll ask my mother to make it for you, Master!"

But when she went down the mountain, she was carrying a lot of things. The eldest senior brother Gao Cang was punished by the master for helping the junior sister to carry things when he took Ran Ran up the mountain last time, so he didn't dare to show his courtesy anymore.

So Ranran could only carry his things and walk down the rugged mountain road by himself.

But after walking a few steps, Su Yishui reached out and took the things she was carrying: "Your hand injury has not healed completely yet, you need to rest."

After saying this, he stretched out his long legs and walked ahead.

The man who looked like a banished immortal could hold a dust-whisker and a long sword, and could play the flute or the Xiao, but it was obviously not so harmonious to carry large and small bags of local specialties and colorful fabrics.

This kind of scene of accompanying a newly married daughter-in-law back to her parents' home... really undermines the master's elegant and refined temperament!

Ranran walked behind, feeling both touched and apologetic.

Master! You love me so much. I can only repay your kindness by fanning your pillow, warming your quilt, and lying on the ice to catch fish...

So Ranran clenched his fist, made a secret wish, and quickly followed his master, skipping and humming a tune as he went along.

Although Su Yishui had long legs, he did not walk very fast. He slowly walked behind Ran Ran, watching the morning light and dew sprinkled in the woods, casting an especially vibrant and dazzling light on the girl in front of him...

Suddenly she turned around, showing her white teeth, and shouted with a smile: "Master, please hurry up! Look, there are squirrels fighting ahead!"

Unconsciously, his accustomed cold expression seemed to be melted a little by the girl's warm and sunny smile...

At this time, in the town below the mountain, smoke was already rising and the villagers began to move around.

Qiaolian and his wife got up very early because they were running a breakfast stall. When Xue Ranran brought his master to the breakfast stall in the town, the three small tables with oil stains were already full of people.

Although business was good, Qiao Lian never smiled, as if she was filled with sorrow. It was not until she raised her head to collect the money that she saw her daughter jumping in front of her. She then came to greet her with a look of surprise.

"My dear little girl, when did you come back? Mother didn't even know! Oh, Master Su, why are you here too? Come on, come upstairs and sit down!"

The arrival of the master and his disciple stunned the people eating at the stall.

My goodness, where did this handsome man and beautiful woman come from? They made my eyes wander back and forth, and I didn't know which one to stare at.

Qiaolian greeted her daughter and Su Xianchang, but her eyes were actually fixed on her daughter: This is her daughter...how come she has become so beautiful after not seeing her for more than a month? Although her features were still vaguely those of the good little girl she had raised, Qiaolian felt that her daughter's temperament and demeanor had changed...indescribably beautiful.

As a mother, seeing my daughter grow up and become so mature makes me proud from the bottom of my heart. So after being a little surprised, I was filled with relief and pride.

Qiao Lian accepted the compliments from the neighbors with a smile, then respectfully invited Master Su to the room behind the stall. She took a rag and wiped the small wooden table in the small courtyard again and again, and then asked her daughter to bring the prepared tofu pudding to Master Su to taste.

The tofu pudding sold by Qiao Lian is Ran Ran's recipe, with both sweet and salty flavors. After asking the master if he wanted sweet flavor, Ran Ran prepared a bowl of peanut and red bean for him.

After Qiaolian finished her work, she hurried back to greet Su Xianchang. Seeing her daughter asking her if she liked the cloth she bought, Qiaolian smiled and touched her daughter's face and said, "Everything my little girl bought is very beautiful."

In the past, she and her husband had hurriedly met her daughter in the thatched pavilion at the foot of the mountain. This time, she was able to meet the Immortal Master Su, so naturally she wanted to ask when her daughter would be able to complete her apprenticeship.

When Qiao Lian heard that her daughter would be practicing in the West Mountain for a long time, she showed a dilemma: "Doesn't that mean she can't get married and have children?"

Xue Liangui was afraid that his wife's question would displease the immortal. If he didn't accept his daughter, wouldn't his life be in danger? He quickly interrupted Qiao Lian and winked at her.

"Is it so important to get married or not? You and I are both ordinary people. If Ranran gets married now, she won't be able to find a good one. Wouldn't that ruin her life?"

After hearing what Xue Liangui said, Qiao Lian somehow turned her back, covered her mouth, and couldn't help crying.

Ranran was startled and quickly went over to ask her mother what was wrong.

Qiao Lian looked at Su Yishui, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

Su Yishui put down the tofu pudding and said to Ran Ran, "I'm going to walk around the street corner. Don't wander around. I'll pick you up later."

After saying that, Su Yishui got up and went out, leaving the three members of the Xue family some time alone.

Su Yishui was tall, aloof, and not very approachable. When he sat in the yard, the Xue couple felt uncomfortable sitting or standing.

Now that Su Xianchang has passed away, the couple breathed a sigh of relief. Ran Ran was attentive and had already noticed that her mother was worried. She didn't know what her father said just now had brought out her mother's worries and made her cry.

So she asked her mother what happened at home.

Qiaolian has been restless these days. When she sees Ranran, she knows she can't hide it anymore, so she finally makes up her mind to tell her daughter the truth about her life experience.

"Ranran, actually...actually you are not your father's and mine biological child..." After saying this, Qiao Lian held her breath, waiting for her daughter's reaction.

But Ran Ran blinked and breathed a sigh of relief: "Is this what made you upset? I already knew that you picked me up on the Jue Mountain."

Now, it was the carpenter and Qiao Lian's turn to look at each other in shock.

"You... knew it a long time ago? How is that possible? Who told you?"

Ran Ran smiled and said, "Mom, when I was six years old, you were talking to grandma. I was lying down to sleep, but I was actually still awake, so I heard everything you two said."

At that time, she was sick too often and spent too much of the family's money. Her grandmother, who knew Ranran's background, couldn't bear to see her daughter and son-in-law live in poverty, so she persuaded them to sell Ranran.

It is not uncommon for poor families to sell their children, let alone that Ranran was just an adopted child.

But Qiao Lian refused to do it, so she simply went into the inner room, wrapped the sleeping Ran Ran with a quilt, and hurried home in the night.

Qiaolian was stunned when she heard her daughter's whispered account. She still vaguely remembered what her daughter said, and Ranran was only six years old at the time. She actually understood everything in her heart!

After that, Ran Ran seemed to have lost some of his childish playfulness. Although he was not in good health, he always tried his best to help her wash clothes, fetch water, and cook... In addition, when she went to seek medical advice, Ran Ran always cried and said that he didn't like taking medicine and wouldn't let her spend money to buy medicine. She thought at the time that the child found the medicine bitter... It turned out to be this reason...

Qiao Lian felt a pang in her heart and started crying again.

This child is so sensible, is she afraid that her parents don't want her anymore? She was so young at that time, she must have been so confused and scared after hearing this!

Seeing her mother crying again, Ran Ran wiped her tears and said, "I was young at the time and didn't dare to tell her that I knew. But later I felt that there was no need to tell her. After all, I was too weak. Even the housewife next door said that people like me couldn't make much money from selling and couldn't improve our family's financial situation."

At that time, Ran Ran actually considered selling herself to improve her family's income, and even asked the neighbor Huang Po for help. She had a relative who worked as a human trafficker in the county town and knew the market best.

As a result, Huang Po looked at Ran Ran, who looked like a skinny chicken, and told her that if anyone bought her, he would have to pay for the soup herb mat, so she would probably not be able to sell it.

Ranran then gave up the idea and obediently helped her mother with housework within her ability.

However, the mother and daughter both knew the same thing and neither of them mentioned it. Why did Qiaolian bring it up at this critical moment?

Qiaolian was actually unwilling to do so, but just half a month ago, her family members suddenly came to her house and said that someone from the government office had come to ask Qiaolian about the matter of asking someone to fill in the household registration book for her child.

Moreover, Qiaolian's family members also said that a nobleman was looking for his son, and if they found the family that raised him, they would be willing to give 100 taels of gold as compensation.

This amount of compensation is enough to buy the entire village! Everyone who hears this will be jealous and wish they had their own child.

Qiaolian's family was moved when they heard this, so they went to the government office and said that her daughter had adopted a child and brought it back. So the people from the government office went all the way to Juefeng Village. Fortunately, Qiaolian left in a hurry and did not have time to inform her family, so they had not traced here yet.

It was just that Lian Gui went to Lin County a few days ago to take on a carpentry job and ran into a former villager by chance. After hearing what Lian Gui had said, the carpenter was so scared that he quickly told him not to tell anyone about his encounter with them here, and went back to tell Qiao Lian about it.

Unexpectedly, the man didn't keep his word, and her family members came looking for her first.

The people who came to look for the child this time were government officials, different from those fierce and evil men in black before. This showed that Ranran was actually a child from a wealthy family.

Now people are willing to pay a hundred taels of gold to recognize her as their relative. If they don't come out to recognize her, wouldn't that mean Ranran will continue to live in their poor family?

Just like Xue Liangui said, even if Ranran completes her cultivation in the future, after she returns from the mountain, she might just find a craftsman or farmer to marry.

Qiao Lian thought about it and although she was extremely reluctant, she felt that the child was grown up now and she should tell Ranran about it so that she could decide for herself whether to go back and recognize her parents.

Ran Ran listened to her parents' story quietly, and shook her head without hesitation: "Mom, you and Dad are the only parents I have. No matter who comes, I won't recognize them."

After hearing what her daughter said, Qiao Lian felt that her love for her over the years had paid off. She hugged her daughter, and both mother and daughter sobbed again, causing Carpenter Xue to tear up.

When Ran Ran came out of the courtyard, he looked up and saw his master standing under a lush tree not far from the street corner.

It was already spring, and the trees were full of intoxicating pear blossoms. The snow-white flowers made the tall man under the tree look particularly cleansing.

The breeze blew, blowing his long gown, making people's eyes flutter like the breeze, reluctant to leave his side...

Su Yishui was feeding a cat squatting on the wall with a cake he brought from Xue's house. When he saw Ranran coming, he stood up and went to greet her.

He noticed that Ran Ran's eyes were red as if she had just cried, but he did not ask. Instead, after walking for a while, he said, "Tomorrow, I will arrange for Yu Chen to escort your parents out of town. Your fourteenth uncle also has businesses elsewhere, and they will be well taken care of there."

Ran Ran didn't expect that the master would actually ask her parents to leave. She was a little surprised and asked, "Why?"

Su Yishui turned to look at her and said calmly, "Those who are looking for you are definitely not your parents. I'm afraid they have ulterior motives. You have to let them go before they come to you. Otherwise, it's hard to predict what will happen and you'll cry again."

Ranran was not surprised that her master could hear her conversation with her parents. The so-called wall is not an obstacle to those who are truly capable of cultivation.

But why did the master say so confidently that the one who offered the 100 taels of gold was definitely not her parents?

But when she asked Su Yishui again, Su Yishui walked forward quickly, looking like he didn't want to answer. Ranran felt a little frustrated and thought that her master who kept her in suspense was really... hateful!

Suddenly, Ran Ran had an idea. He looked at Su Yishui with a strange expression and asked hesitantly, "Master, Second Uncle said that you had been to Jueshan several times in order to help Master Mu to be reborn. And that Jueshan is inaccessible to outsiders. But I was picked up by my mother in Jueshan... You are so handsome and dashing, there must be many women who admire you. Did you have a child with a female fairy...?"

What Ran Ran really wanted to ask was: "Am I... your daughter?"

Inspired by the story of grievances between immortal children fabricated by her third senior sister, Ranran couldn't help but think, since her master was so sure of her life experience, could it be that he knew all along that she was thrown there?

Thinking about the strict but loving care that Master always showed to me, wasn't this exactly what my father did? Could it be that he had secretly fallen in love with some female fairy and gave birth to her, but because he couldn't make her public, he abandoned her on a remote mountain until my parents brought her back?

Su Yishui didn't seem to expect that she would ask such a brilliant question. After hearing this, the expression on his fatherly master's face was not very kind.

He stared at her coldly, unable to speak for a while, and finally squeezed out the words from between his teeth: "Listen carefully, I am not your father!"

Ran Ran looked at Su Yishui and thought he didn't seem to be lying, so she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Although it would be great if Su Yishui was her biological father, she still felt that something was a little strange.

Since there is no bond of family affection, the relationship between master and disciple can be natural.

However, the master obviously knew something about her life experience, and he would never say boring things to annoy others. Although she told the Xue couple that she would not acknowledge them as relatives, if she knew the inside story, she would be able to deal with it more calmly.

After being besieged by her for a long time, Su Yishui slowly said that since he was sure that the person who wanted to find the whereabouts of the abandoned baby had ulterior motives, he should make some arrangements as soon as possible.

The method to get the Xue couple to leave was very simple. Ranran just said that her uncle had a lucrative job of looking after the yard, and the annual salary was fifty taels of silver. They would be the managers there, just watching some employees do their work. It was decent and not very hard, and it was much easier than selling breakfast.

Of course, the Xue family loved doing such a heavy monthly job. Ran Ran also tactfully reminded her parents not to contact her grandmother for the time being.

The gold that family gave was too much, and one of my grandmother's uncles might have said something wrong, and there would be trouble again. Why would a family that could afford a hundred taels of gold abandon a newborn baby on the mountain?

There must be some connection here. There are many stories in operas about treacherous officials hunting down and killing the orphans of important officials. If someone wanted to harm her, wouldn't the whole family suffer?

Before Ran Ran said that, Qiao Lian really hadn't thought about it that way. After being analyzed by her daughter, she couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

So after telling their daughter in detail to take care of herself in the mountains, the Xue couple packed up their things overnight and followed Yuchen to Zeng Yi's garden in Linyang.

However, the rented yard has not been vacated. Su Yishui said that he wanted to use this to lure out the enemy and find out who is looking for Ranran.

So Yuchen and Yutong painted their faces with yellowing ointment, made wrinkles, put on false beards and wigs with graying hair, and became the Xue family's husband and wife, temporarily living in this courtyard.

However, Su Yishui seemed to be angered by Ranran's rash recognition of his relationship. After returning to Xishan, he did not speak to her for the entire day.

Later, it was only after Ranran specially made the Longjing sweet shrimps that her master loved to eat that Su Yishui's frozen face relaxed.

Ran Ran felt that her previous misunderstanding that her master had a child was a mistake.

If we ignore the master's superb skills and extraordinary looks, his unpredictable personality would hardly attract girls.

After spending a long time with Su Yishui, Ran Ran slowly realized the true meaning of Master Mu's writing of the ferocious beast chapter - the reasons why the master sometimes gets angry are inexplicable, so how can people figure out his emotions?

When I talk to her, she refuses to tell me everything at once. She is like beef tendon and chicken ribs, you can't chew her no matter how hard you try...

Yuchen and Yutong were unable to do the job of serving breakfast for the Xue couple, so they simply hung a sign in front of the breakfast stall saying that they were not feeling well and would be closed for a few days.

The brother and sister stayed in the small courtyard, eating and drinking, waiting patiently for someone to knock on the door.

After just two days of waiting, someone really came to the door. It was said that they were from the county government, and they said with a sullen face that the Xue couple had abducted someone's children and asked them to hand over their daughter as soon as possible.

Yu Tong had sharp eyes and could tell at a glance that the people following the two officers were all cultivators. After a few false greetings, Su Yishui suddenly appeared, pressed the acupoints of these people, and cast a mantra on them. He immediately found out who was the Empress Zhan in the palace who had ordered people to visit here.