Having regained his appearance, it was already noon when he returned to the Nine Heavens. As soon as Jiang Chuting stepped onto the wooden house's stairs, Pei Jing appeared at the doorway. He wore a crimson round-necked brocade robe and a hair crown, exuding boundless nobility. However, at this moment, the refined features of this noble young man were filled with murderous intent. He no longer addressed him as "Master," but glared at him angrily and called him by his name: "Jiang Chuting! You still know how to come back? Do you even know you have a disciple?!"
Jiang Chuting returned a little later than expected, which was to be expected, but Pei Jing was surprised by his anger. Jiang Chuting remained expressionless and continued upstairs, asking, "What's wrong? My third senior brother didn't come?"
Ji Chun's voice rang out from inside the room: "Why didn't you come? Do you think I wouldn't do what you asked me to do?"
Jiang Chuting looked at Pei Jing, whose complexion was rosy and healthy, not like he had been in any trouble.
Seeing that Jiang Chuting seemed completely unconcerned, Pei Jing was so angry he wanted to bite him. He blocked Jiang Chuting's path and said angrily, "Are you my master or is he my master? You just hand me over to someone else and then abandon me? Didn't you say you'd be back in two days?"
Jiang Chuting said calmly, "Something came up and I was delayed."
Pei Jing stared intently at his face hidden by the mask, still unconvinced: "No matter what delayed you, knowing I was waiting for you, you were still taking your time. You just don't care about me!"
Jiang Chuting did not want to argue with him, so she said gently, "Master was wrong."
Pei Jing's eyes widened slightly. He actually apologized like that? He had been holding back a lot of anger, but suddenly he felt like he had nowhere to vent it.
Jiang Chuting said, "Let's go in first." Pei Jing's face darkened, he snorted coldly, and went into the house first, heading straight back to his room.
Ji Chun was leisurely drinking tea inside the room when Jiang Chuting took off his mask, knelt down opposite him, and smiled, "Senior brother, you've worked hard these past two days."
Ji Chun glanced at him and said earnestly, "Chu Ting, these people you've taken in aren't disciples, they're ancestors, aren't they?"
Jiang Chuting responded with a helpless smile. He really didn't have much luck when it came to taking on disciples.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you, senior brother."
Ji Chun hadn't intended to talk to him about his apprentice. He put down his teacup, rubbed his hands together, and then calmly asked him, "By the way, what's your thought about that matter?"
Jiang Chuting was stunned for a moment before realizing what he meant by "that matter," and her heart tightened. She said, "I...I've been..."
Ji Chun's eyes shone brightly as he asked, "What's gotten into you lately? Do you have time to meet me?"
Jiang Chuting told him what had happened at the foot of the mountain, "I'll be investigating this matter for a while, so I probably won't have time to think about these things."
Ji Chun could tell this was just an excuse, and frowned, looking at him as if he were a troublesome child: "You can investigate, but can you take better care of yourself? You're not young anymore, and none of your apprentices are reliable. Are you planning to live alone for the rest of your life?"
Facing his piercing gaze, Jiang Chuting spoke frankly: "Being alone is not necessarily a bad thing."
Ji Chun slammed his hand on the table, his brows furrowed and his eyes wide: "Then what did you mean by 'considering'? Were you considering how to fool me?!"
He was furious, and Jiang Chuting was speechless, silently lowering her eyelashes. This was indeed the result of his consideration, but at this moment, remaining silent was the wise choice.
Seeing his expression, Ji Chun felt both soft-hearted and annoyed. Although her tone softened in the end, her words left no room for doubt: "Two days from now, at Jingfeng Teahouse at the foot of the mountain. You have to go, whether you like it or not. Whether it's suitable or not, you'll only know after you meet him."
After saying that, he stood up, and Jiang Chuting raised his face and hurriedly called to him, "Senior brother, please wait."
Ji Chun turned and strode away.
Because of this matter, Chonghua went to the back mountain to talk to Jiang Chuting for half a day. As the eldest brother, he was like a father to Jiang Chuting and had the upper hand. He could no longer refuse and had to agree.
Jiang Chuting didn't eat dinner and lay on the tatami mat, feeling a headache.
Just as he was closing his eyes in distress, gently pressing his throbbing temples with his fingers, someone approached him. Jiang Chuting opened his eyes and saw Pei Jing walk over and sit down by the bed. At this moment, he had already reverted to his obedient disciple demeanor and asked with concern, "Master, does your head hurt? Let me massage it for you."
Jiang Chuting was used to his unpredictable temperament and didn't find it strange, but she declined his offer, saying, "No need, you should go and rest."
Pei Jing leaned down, staring straight at him, and said with a half-smile, "I am your disciple, it is only right that I show you respect. Let me give you a massage."
After saying that, she actually stretched out her hands, her middle and index fingers together, and started massaging him.
"I appreciate your kindness, but really, it's not necessary." Jiang Chuting felt she was unworthy of such treatment and tried to turn her head away, but Pei Jing forcefully straightened her. "Why not?!"
He used a bit too much force, and Jiang Chuting's lips pursed slightly as he squeezed her face, her eyes widened, and she didn't know what to say for a moment.
Pei Jing had always been skeptical of Jiang Chuting's age, feeling that his appearance didn't resemble someone in their thirties at all. He had even observed him closely and concluded that one reason was his exceptionally good bone structure; he estimated that Jiang Chuting's appearance wouldn't change much even in a few years.
A large part of the reason is his eyes. His black pupils are round and large, as clear as the eyes of a child untouched by the world, yet without the naivety of a child. They are beautiful and bright, exuding a peaceful and gentle power, making him look very young for no reason.
In addition, he always walks, sits, or lies with an upright and dignified posture, full of energy. When you see him, you will completely forget his age.
At this moment, Pei Jing was stunned as Jiang Chuting stared at him with wide eyes. His hand seemed to be burned by something, and he immediately let go. He pursed his lips and showed a tearful expression. "Master, are you angry with me? I was wrong. I shouldn't have talked to you like that. I just missed you so much. I felt so down because you haven't come back. Please let me do something for you, otherwise I'll feel guilty."
His eyes were full of sincerity, which made Jiang Chuting wonder if she had been too cold-hearted and had gone against his wishes.
Jiang Chuting said, "I..."
Before he could finish speaking, his hand pressed down on her again. Jiang Chuting thought for a moment and then didn't pull away. Moreover, his pressure was just right, and it felt very comfortable. Her headache immediately eased a lot, and she lowered her eyelids, her eyes half-open and half-closed.
Pei Jing's gaze roamed freely over his features, and he asked in a low voice, "Master, what did Sect Leader Chonghua say to you? You seem a little troubled."
Chonghua came to find Jiang Chuting to talk outside, so Pei Jing didn't hear what they were saying and had no idea what Jiang Chuting was worried about.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuting opened his eyes. He wasn't sure how to explain this to him, so he simply said in a low voice, "It's nothing." After thinking about it, he realized that the child always held a grudge against him for going out, so he decided to take this opportunity to tell him in advance to avoid him getting angry if he told him too late. So he said, "By the way, Xiao Jiu."
Pei Jing's hands didn't stop moving, his eyes blinking obediently as he asked, "Master, please tell me."
Jiang Chuting met his incredibly sweet gaze, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "I need to investigate something, and I'll be going down the mountain from time to time lately. You..."
Pei Jing's expression changed drastically. She released his grip and stared at him in disbelief: "What?! You've only been back for less than a day, and you're already thinking of leaving again?? What do you take me for??" Pei Jing suddenly felt that her tone sounded like that of a resentful woman in the deep palace. Her anger burned even more intensely, but she quickly restrained herself. Her eyes reddened, and she said to him sadly, "Although I did have a moment of impulsiveness when I first became your disciple, from the moment I called you Master, I was truly sincere towards you. Although you are kind to me, I always feel that you are not sincere. Master, do you actually hate me and don't want to see me, but you are also restrained by my status, so you keep finding excuses to leave?"
Jiang Chuting was quite surprised by his bluntness and slowly sat up. Back when Mo Lin was still alive, he would often go down the mountain to wander around and get some fresh air. Mo Lin would practice swordsmanship as instructed, never asking when he would return; he would always come back whenever Jiang Chuting returned. Wei Jia was even more so; as long as he had food and drink and could sleep in, he was happy whether his master was home or not. Only this child repeatedly expressed his wish for him to stay at home.
Jiang Chuting explained to him, "It's not that I dislike you. I used to come down the mountain like this all the time, and I really did have something to do."
As he spoke, his lips moved, and Pei Jing stared at him silently. He wore a light blue robe, his long, fair neck peeking out from the hem, a strand of hair falling from his shoulder and resting on his defined, beautiful collarbone. Blue robe, black hair, red lips, white teeth, the flickering candlelight—the scene possessed a strangely powerful impact, making one's mind race. Pei Jing's throat tightened, his heart burned, and without hearing what he was saying, he suddenly buried his face in his chest, holding him tightly, his breath heavy.
Jiang Chuting raised her hands but froze, then called out softly, "Xiao Jiu?"
"What could be so important? I know you too well; you're just too kind-hearted and meddling in other people's business. You're so concerned about everything, but why don't you care about me?"
Jiang Chuting sighed, "Human life is of paramount importance; this is no trivial matter."
"I don't care, I don't care." Pei Jing snuggled her head into his arms. "I don't want you to leave, you can't leave, stay home with me, okay? Don't go anywhere!"
Jiang Chuting was both amused and exasperated, but since he had pleaded so earnestly, he couldn't help feeling sorry for him. He patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, Master will come back as soon as he's done with his business. Stop fooling around and go to sleep." Lately, all the kids he's encountered seem to know how to be more and more affectionate than the last.
Pei Jing knew his temperament; he seemed gentle but had a stubborn streak. Although he was dissatisfied, he could only suppress his dissatisfaction for the time being. After dawdling for a while, he finally managed to hug his waist before returning to his own bed.
For the next two days, except for sleeping on different beds, Pei Jing was almost inseparable from him, following him around like a little tail.
When Jiang Chuting practiced swordsmanship, he would watch and learn the moves from the side. Seeing how serious Jiang Chuting was, Jiang Chuting was also willing to give him guidance.
In fact, he has a strong ability to comprehend things. If he hadn't been forced to practice that evil art, his martial arts skills would definitely have been outstanding.
Since Mo Lin had not returned, Jiang Chuting accompanied Pei Jing to the medicinal hot springs. That evening, after accompanying him to the hot springs and helping him regulate his breathing, they returned to the wooden house together. Pei Jing then brought him a small porcelain jar with an exquisite appearance.
"This is?"
"The Jade Dew Ointment for removing scars. Didn't you get a sword wound before? Applying this every day will make the scar disappear quickly." Pei Jing opened the lid, dipped his finger into the clear and cool ointment inside, and brought it to his nose for him to smell: "Don't worry, it won't smell strange on your body. Here, Master, let me apply it for you."
Jiang Chuting felt she didn't need the item and was thinking about how to refuse when she saw him reaching out with great interest, as if to help him take off his clothes. Startled, she smiled and took a step back, saying, "Thank you, but I can do it myself."
Pei Jing smiled and looked at him, saying, "Master, why are you being so polite with me?" He put the lid back on and handed it to him, "Then don't waste your disciple's efforts, you must wipe it every day."
Jiang Chuting took the small, cool porcelain jar, nodded, and said, "Okay, I'll use it."
The day to meet that man had arrived. She'd heard he came from a scholarly family and knew about the unpleasant rumors circulating about him in the martial arts world, yet she still agreed to meet him. Jiang Chuting had promised her senior brother Chonghua that she would have a good chat with him, and if things didn't feel right, she'd just consider him a friend.
Jiang Chuting, dressed simply, took his sword, put on his mask, and was about to descend the mountain when his senior brothers ruthlessly intercepted him and brought him back to the main hall. When they released him again, he had completely changed.
He wore a wide-sleeved robe, a jade belt and brocade boots, his hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and a beautiful jade ornament was placed at his waist. He was tall and elegant, with a refined and graceful demeanor, just like a young master from a noble family. His mask had also been confiscated.
At least the sword was left for him.
Jiang Chuting kept turning back to look at himself. Wearing a mask had become a habit when he went out with this face, and he really wanted to get his mask back.
Ji Chun waved to him and urged, "Go quickly! Don't waste time."
Jiang Chuting had no choice but to go to the appointment in this outfit.
Once Jiang Chuting's figure had receded into the distance, Pei Jing emerged from the corner, his brows furrowed, filled with suspicion and displeasure. He said in a low, somber voice, "Why is he suddenly dressed like this? What is he planning to do? Something doesn't seem right. He even mentioned something of life and death; could he have lied to me again?!"
He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, and his four subordinates behind him remained completely silent. Pei Jing intended to follow, but one of his subordinates, seeing this, hurriedly said, "Your Highness, it is probably not appropriate to travel now."
Pei Jing turned around and glared angrily, shouting, "Enough nonsense, all of you follow me!" He wanted to see what important things this man was busy with every time he left him behind to go down the mountain.
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