Chapter 15 Accepting her as a disciple
Seeing that the righteous people were beginning to retreat, Qin Wuyan stopped pursuing the matter and went straight to Mu Yao, anxiously asking her, "Yao'er, are you hurt?"
Mu Yao shook her head, sniffed, and burst into tears while hugging him: "Sect Leader, Father and Grandfather... they were all killed by these bad people."
She cried incessantly, and Qin Wuyan was truly heartbroken. But the Mu family father and son were dead and could not be brought back to life, so he could only comfort her, saying, "Don't worry, Yao'er, I will definitely kill these people in the future to avenge your father and the others!!"
Mu Yao hugged him and cried even harder: "I don't want it, I don't want revenge, I just want Father and Grandpa to come back to life."
Qin Wuyan sighed deeply, about to say something, when Mu Yao's mother, Yunniang, hurriedly came over, knelt before Qin Wuyan, and said with tears in her eyes:
"Sect Leader Qin, my husband and I have been fortunate to make a living at the foot of Fox Ridge for many years thanks to your care. Now, my husband and father-in-law have both tragically lost their lives. I am just a woman with no skills, and I am afraid that I will not be able to protect my daughter in the future. Yunniang begs the Sect Leader to take Yao'er under your wing. I do not ask for her to be rich and powerful in the future, but I only hope that the Divine Sect can give her a place of refuge so that she can live a good life."
When Qin Wuyan entrusted the reincarnated Biyao to this family, he wore a mask, so they hadn't known for years that he was the one who gave them the child; they only thought she was a pitiful child abandoned by some family. Yunniang was unable to have children, but the Mu family's son treated her extremely well and refused to divorce her and remarry. Qin Wuyan had also inquired for a long time and was impressed by the family's kind and gentle nature before agreeing to entrust the reincarnated Biyao to them.
Although the Mu family and Biyao are not related by blood, they have genuinely raised her as their own daughter all these years. What Yunniang said was actually within Qin Wuyan's plans. He had secretly taught her magic before, intending to find an opportunity to take her into the Divine Sect when Biyao grew up a bit more. He never expected that when that day came, it would come at the cost of her losing her family again.
"Yunniang, please get up quickly." Qin Wuyan hurriedly helped her up and said apologetically, "Today's events were all caused by me. Don't worry, even if you didn't say anything, I would do my best to protect her."
As they spoke, a large group of people arrived behind Qin Wuyan. The leaders were a man and a woman. The man was Tang Yuan, the left protector since Qin Wuyan founded the sect, and the woman was Xie Qingqiu, the right protector.
After Qin Wuyan finished speaking, Tang Yuan stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Sect Master, Qingyun Sect and Fenxiang Valley have both withdrawn. However, our sect has also suffered many casualties. Many houses of the people at the foot of Fox Hill have been burned down by Fenxiang Valley. Now many people have nowhere to go and are clamoring to go to Fox Hill. How should we deal with this? Please advise us, Sect Master!"
Qin Wuyan said, "These people may not really want to join my sect. You can count the number of people later and go to Meng Guang in Heyang City to get some money for them. They will leave after they take the money. If any of them really want to join the sect, hand them over to Qingqiu. We will verify their identities first and then arrange a trial before they can join my sect."
Tang Yuan and Xie Qingqiu nodded.
Xie Qingqiu then asked, "Sect Master, based on what this lady just asked, should we also take this young girl into our sect?"
Qin Wuyan nodded: "Of course, but Yao'er doesn't need to undergo the trial. I will teach her myself."
Xie Qingqiu looked up abruptly, seemingly in disbelief: "The sect leader means... to take this girl as a disciple?"
Qin Wuyan nodded: "Not bad."
Hearing this, Yunniang was overjoyed. The Fox Ridge Mountain area had always been turbulent, and Yunniang had long wanted to find a powerful backer for her daughter. Unfortunately, despite her repeated requests, Qin Wuyan had refused to let Mu Yao join the sect, yet he treated Mu Yao extremely well in private, something Yunniang, as a mother, had always noticed. Now, hearing Qin Wuyan personally promise to take her daughter as a disciple, she quickly interjected, "Yao'er, quickly thank the sect leader!"
Mu Yao bowed to him and said, "Thank you, Sect Master!"
Yunniang corrected her, saying, "Silly child, you should call her Master now."
Mu Yao was very quick-witted and immediately gave Qin Wuyan a sweet smile: "Thank you, Master!"
Upon hearing the title "Master," Qin Wuyan felt a complex mix of emotions, including joy, surprise, and melancholy.
Master and disciple? In this life, he and she actually became master and disciple.
What will happen if she remembers all her memories from her past life in the future?
Xie Qingqiu, standing to the side, looked rather grim. Since she began following Qin Wuyan, the sect had taken in many new disciples, but Qin Wuyan had never accepted any of them into his own fold, always entrusting them to others for training. Now, suddenly hearing that Qin Wuyan not only wanted to take this girl as his disciple but also exempt her from her trials, Xie Qingqiu found it hard to accept.
After thinking for a moment, Xie Qingqiu continued, "If the sect leader wants to take on disciples, I dare not say more. However... many people in Fox Hill have been displaced this time, and many want to take this opportunity to join our Divine Sect. According to what the sect leader just said, our sect must conduct trials before accepting disciples. If this young girl is exempted from the trials, I'm afraid the new disciples in the sect will not accept her and she will be ostracized instead."
Qin Wuyan, however, did not take it seriously and said indifferently, "It's alright. As I said, after she joins the sect, I will personally teach her. She doesn't need to be bound by anyone in the sect. If anyone is dissatisfied, they can come to me."
"But..." Xie Qingqiu wanted to argue further, but Tang Yuan immediately nudged her arm, signaling her to stop. Xie Qingqiu had no choice but to shut up.
The town suffered few casualties, but most of the houses and farmland were destroyed by the fire. After Qin Wuyan ordered people to bury the Mu family father and son, he instructed Tang Yuan and Xie Qingqiu to arrange for people to comfort the people.
Because Mu Yao was young and needed care, Qin Wuyan also brought her mother, Yun Niang, up the mountain and arranged for her to help with cleaning and cooking in the back of the mountain.
The Fox Hills range runs east-west. While not as high as Qingyun Mountain, it is vast and has a complex topography. The main peak is Tianhu Mountain, surrounded by numerous smaller peaks and ridges, including Taowu Mountain, Qixia Mountain, Guniu Mountain, Eyang Mountain, Chidie Valley, and Langdou Ridge. The route from the mountainside to the summit of Tianhu Mountain is where the disciples of the Tianli Divine Sect are distributed.
On the way up the mountain, Mu Yao flew alongside Qin Wuyan, her arms wrapped around him as she stood behind him. Thousands of clouds swept past beneath their feet, the wind whistling in their ears. Although Mu Yao had learned a little flying, she had never flown so high before, and felt both amazed and delighted. She was quite daring, occasionally glancing down. Amidst the lush greenery, she could clearly see the rivers winding through the valleys and the numerous pavilions and towers scattered across the peaks.
The mountain breeze seemed to have carried away all her sadness and sorrow, leaving only the joy of flying among the clouds.
Looking further ahead, patches of pink dotted the mountaintop in the distance, and Mu Yao couldn't help but ask, "Sect Leader, what are those?"
Qin Wuyan said, "That's Peach Blossom Mountain, and that's where I'm taking you." As he spoke, the two of them had already flown into the pink sky.
Mu Yao then realized that the pink area was actually a peach orchard. She had previously thought that peach trees were only planted at the foot of the mountain, but she hadn't expected there to be an even larger peach orchard at the top. Moreover, there were many courtyards scattered throughout this orchard, clearly indicating that they were residences.
Qin Wuyan landed slowly in a courtyard. After landing, Mu Yao couldn't help but look around the entire courtyard, feeling a wave of familiarity wash over her.
The courtyard is surrounded by houses on three sides, all built along the water. A delicate little wooden bridge spans from the center of the courtyard to the front of the houses. In the middle of the courtyard grows a sturdy peach tree, which is now in full bloom. A gentle breeze blows, and peach petals fall like rain, drifting into the clear water beside the courtyard. The whole courtyard instantly evokes a feeling of "peach blossoms drifting away on flowing water, a world apart from the human realm."
Looking at the house across the small bridge, Mu Yao was full of doubts and couldn't help but ask, "Sect Master, where is this? I feel like I've been here before."
Qin Wuyan paused slightly, then said, "This is the Peach Blossom Palace on Peach Witch Mountain, which was also the former site of the Ghost King Sect." He looked at her, a hint of expectation in his eyes: "Yao'er, have you remembered something?"
Mu Yao gently shook her head, "I just feel that this place is familiar, but I have never been to Fox Hill before, and my family has never had such a big courtyard."
She slowly walked onto the small bridge and arrived at the house on the other side. The door was already open. She stepped inside and found everything to be brand new, clean and tidy, as if someone had lived there but it also looked like it had been empty for a long time.
Mu Yao asked again, "Who lived here before?"
Qin Wuyan said, "The young master of the Ghost King Sect used to live here."
After thinking for a moment, Mu Yao raised her eyes and asked, "Bi Yao, the young master of the Ghost King Sect?"
Upon hearing her name "Biyao," Qin Wuyan was startled: "How do you know her?"
“Naturally, it’s because…” Mu Yao looked at Qin Wuyan’s expectant face, then suddenly blinked and smiled mischievously: “I won’t tell you.” She swept away her previous doubts and confusion, and walked around the room, looking around.
Qin Wuyan froze on the spot because of her words. How similar this situation was! When she woke up after the Ghost King had taken her memories, the first time she saw him, she had also teased him with a half-finished sentence.
And now, that beautiful and charming girl stands before him again, having also lost her memories of the past.
Perhaps, not remembering is the best thing for her, and only by not remembering the past can she continue to live happily.
Yunniang, Xiaobai, and the others then arrived at Taowu Mountain.
Xie Qingqiu and Tang Yuan came to report that there were matters to attend to at the sect, so Qin Wuyan hurriedly left. Xiaobai arranged for Yunniang and Muyao to stay at Taohua Palace. She also took the mother and daughter on a tour of Taowu Mountain, introducing them to the various residences of the Tianli Divine Sect along the way.
"Our Fox Ridge Mountain is not as precipitous as Qingyun Mountain of the Qingyun Sect. The main peak of this mountain is only the Tianhu Mountain range, which is the most magnificent and spectacular. The Tianhu Palace on the mountain has many buildings and is where the various departments under the Tianli Divine Sect handle affairs. The side peaks, Taowu Mountain, Qixia Mountain, and Guniu Mountain, are where everyone lives and practices. Taowu Mountain is located on the north side of Fox Ridge Mountain. It is the smallest mountain range, but the environment is quiet and secluded, so Qin Wuyan and I live here."
As Xiao Bai spoke, she gave them directions: "There are Suiyue Pavilion, Taohua Palace, Queyun Tower, Luoxing Palace, and Lingyan Pavilion on Taowu Mountain. You were staying in Taohua Palace, and Suiyue Pavilion, where I am staying, is right next to you. Just turn right after you go out and cross the bridge."
Mu Yao nodded and then asked, "Where does the Sect Master live?"
Yunniang corrected her, "You silly child, how could you forget again? You should start calling me Master now, don't always say 'Sect Leader Brother, Sect Leader Brother,' it's so impolite."
Mu Yao pouted, "I'm not used to it yet. Besides, he taught me magic before I became his apprentice, and he's still teaching me magic now. It doesn't really matter what he's called."
Yunniang smiled helplessly, then explained to Xiaobai, "This child is still young and doesn't understand things. I hope Miss Bai won't take it to heart."
She was just an ordinary peasant woman who knew little about the Tianli Divine Sect. She only knew that cultivation sects had strict rules for their disciples and that many people had been expelled from the sect in the past. Therefore, she was afraid that she and her daughter would do something wrong or say something wrong and be expelled from the sect by Qin Wuyan.
Xiao Bai noticed her restraint at a glance and comforted her, "Yunniang, don't be so reserved. There aren't many rules in Fox Hill. Besides, you were implicated by the Divine Sect and innocently dragged into this struggle. I'm already very grateful that you don't resent the Divine Sect and are even willing to let your daughter join the sect to cultivate. I believe Qin Wuyan won't care about these things either."
As soon as the day's events were mentioned, tears welled up in Yunniang's eyes, and she sighed, "It's our bad luck that we couldn't escape this calamity. Sect Leader Qin had taken good care of our family before, so I have no resentment. I only blame myself for being useless and unable to protect my daughter, so I can only entrust her to you."
“Mother…” Mu Yao’s grief, which she had just let go of, was stirred up again by her mother’s words. She took her mother’s arm and said solemnly, “Mother, don’t worry, I will definitely learn well from my master. I will protect you from now on and will not let anyone bully us again.”
Seeing Mu Yao's determination to cultivate, Xiao Bai was very pleased and said to Mu Yao, "Yao'er, Qin Wuyan lives in the Falling Star Palace. After leaving the Peach Blossom Palace where you live, turn left and walk straight to the highest point. From now on, you must get up early every day to go and practice with your master."
Mu Yao nodded seriously.
Afterwards, Xiaobai led them to other peaks. Seven Clouds Mountain was the residence of the Left and Right Protectors, while Guniu Mountain and several surrounding smaller peaks were the homes of many disciples. Between Peach Blossom Mountain and Seven Clouds Mountain lay Crimson Butterfly Valley, a place Qin Wuyan used specifically for refining elixirs and treating the sick. Wolf Fighting Ridge, between Guniu Mountain and Seven Clouds Mountain, was the sect's trial grounds.
When they reached the halfway point of Qixia Mountain, Xiaobai stood in a pavilion at a fork in the road and pointed to the opposite mountain peak, saying, "That's Guniu Mountain. You can get there by taking the road to the east from this intersection. But that road also leads to Langdou Ridge. The mountains there are winding and rugged, teeming with wild animals, insects, and snakes, and the water-filled areas are shrouded in poisonous miasma. So you shouldn't go there on ordinary days, or you might easily get lost and even lose your life."
"However," Xiaobai added, noticing the sudden tension in Mu Yao and her daughter's expressions, "this path is usually blocked by a barrier. It is only opened during sect trials to allow disciples to enter and undergo the trials. You don't need to worry about accidentally wandering in."
Mu Yao nodded, then asked curiously, "Aunt Bai, Wolf Fighting Ridge is where sects conduct trials. If someone fails the trial, will they die inside?"
Xiao Bai smiled and said, "It's unlikely you'll die, but if you fail the trial, you will indeed be seriously injured. However, our Divine Sect will send someone to treat you and send you down the mountain."
Mu Yao asked in confusion, "Why did Sect Master arrange the trials? Why not just bring everyone into the sect? That would make the Divine Sect even stronger."
Xiao Bai smiled and said, "Cultivation is hard work, and not everyone can do it. Besides, the Divine Sect has always been targeted by the righteous sects. If we accept all comers, wouldn't it be easy for spies to infiltrate? The sect leader is doing this to protect the sect's disciples."
Mu Yao nodded to indicate that she understood.
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