Zheng Quchi knew all too well how arrogant Gan Xin was; he wouldn't tolerate being humiliated for no reason. Fearing a conflict between the two sides, she quickly stepped forward to explain.
"No, we're all on the same side, don't misunderstand, he's my newly accepted apprentice, Gan Xin."
Upon hearing that this fierce-looking person was actually his sister's apprentice, Brother Sang's mind went blank, and he angrily asked, "When did you take on this apprentice?"
He actually wanted to ask what kind of people she had met outside. This knife-wielding man looked like a murderer and arsonist who had committed all sorts of evil deeds. How could such a person possibly humble himself and become someone's apprentice?
Furthermore, how old is he, and how old is she? Is it possible for a swordsman in his thirties to become an apprentice to a young girl?
Not only did Brother Sang not believe it, but Liu Fengmian and Liu Chaiji also didn't believe it.
Zheng Quchi couldn't explain Gan Xin's identity and background in public, so she could only vaguely say, "Brother, we just received him. Let's go inside and talk about it. There are too many people talking outside. Besides, he looks fierce, but in reality..." She couldn't lie to him, so she could only wink at Gan Xin.
Fortunately, despite his arrogance, Gan Xin was still a person who knew how to respect his teachers. Upon hearing that one of these people was Zheng Quchi's older brother and that he was lame, he toned down his fierce demeanor somewhat.
"My name is Gan Xin. I used to be a wandering swordsman, but now I have retired and no longer live a life of fighting and killing. From now on, I will devote myself to studying and learning a skill from Master Zheng."
If someone else had said those words, they would have sounded incredibly sincere. But coming from him, they sounded like a wolf disguised as a dog—they didn't seem loyal at all.
"Why should we?" Liu Chaiji said sourly, his jealousy evident in his voice, "He doesn't seem to have much ability. Why should we take him as our disciple?"
He had wanted to stay by Zheng Quchi's side, but she resolutely refused.
"Keep your voice down, ancestor." Only then did Liu Fengmian recover from the shock of hearing the name "Gan Xin." He quickly covered Liu Chaiji's mouth and whispered, "Do you even know who he is? What makes you think you're here? You don't even have that much ability."
"He... Waaah... Who... Ah..."
Liu Fengmian concealed his surprise and whispered through gritted teeth, "Gan Xin, the Mad Saber Gan Xin who can flatten mountains and rivers with a single slash, have you heard of him?"
Liu Chaiji's eyes widened instantly... He had indeed heard of it.
“He’s a top expert of our time, on par with Yuwen Sheng. What makes him so special?” Liu Fengmian could only roll her eyes gracefully at his defiance.
Unexpectedly, Liu Chaiji was not afraid or backed down when he heard this. Instead, his eyes lit up. He pulled Liu Fengmian's hand away and said, "Second brother, do you think he would be willing to teach me a move or two if I asked him to teach me martial arts?"
Liu Fengmian was so angry at his foolish younger brother that he almost laughed: "What makes you think you're so great?"
Besides, if he becomes Gan Xin's apprentice, and Gan Xin becomes Zheng Quchi's apprentice, then what generation do they have? Grand-disciple, grand-master? But they're not even learning the same lineage.
A notorious reputation intimidated Liu Fengmian and Liu Chaiji, but Brother Sang had no intention of letting the matter go easily. However, Zheng Quchi was a woman who knew how to make him soften his heart towards her.
She stepped forward and hugged him tightly: "Brother, I'm hungry."
Brother Sang froze, his anger lasting less than a second before turning awkward. He patted her back and said, "Alright, alright, we're outside. If you're hungry... let's go inside."
"Okay, by the way, where's my little sister?"
She turned her head and saw a cute little girl in a new red dress standing at Brother Sang's feet, with two little braids. Her heart melted instantly. She picked up the little girl and happily sniffed her: "Little sister, do you miss your second sister?"
The youngest sister didn't shy away, but smiled shyly and said, "Second... second sister, I want to."
She's different now; she's definitely not the same as the little girl she used to be.
Zheng Quchi paused for a moment, then said happily, "Little sister, you're all better! You're really all better!"
The younger sister cupped her face in her small hands and leaned in to kiss her: "Second sister, you've lost weight."
"Aren't you angry with your second sister for not coming back to see you for so long?" Zheng Quchi's guilt surged up instantly.
The youngest sister shook her head: "It's not my fault. My eldest brother said that my second sister is doing great things outside, and she's working very hard to earn money to support the family. We can't help you, but we are all proud of you."
Zheng Quchi was startled and turned to look at Brother Sang, but Brother Sang avoided her gaze.
"Alright, let's go in."
He walked ahead with his cane, his silent back not particularly straight or upright, yet it offered her all his tolerance and understanding.
These are her family members.
Her eyes held both laughter and tears, and her lips curved into a smile.
Sniffing, he said, "Brother, wait for us."
Seeing the three siblings so close and relying on each other, the Liu brothers smiled knowingly. Gan Xin, however, kept a cold and aloof expression, but his eyes were fixed on Brother Sang's lame leg.
——
After dinner, Zheng Quchi finally found some time alone and asked Gan Xin, "Have you left the Mohist school now?"
Gan Xin frowned slightly, then said truthfully, "I haven't completely broken away, but I am free. However, if the Mo family is in trouble, I will still go back to help them."
"Why?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Quchi's face darkened. If he still maintained this lingering connection with the Mo family, then she would absolutely not trust him.
"Master..."
Zheng Quchi interrupted coldly: "Before you formally become my disciple, I am not your master."
Gan Xin clearly knew the reason for Zheng Quchi's unusual behavior, and he could only explain to her, "The Mohist school today is different from the Mohist school you know."
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