"Chief, even if everything else can be explained by coincidence or unavoidable circumstances," Ji Yunhong said again, "how do you explain the disappearance of your soul lamp from the peach and plum tree?"
Ji Mo Fan withdrew his hand from the child's head.
"I was injured a few days ago, and my soul was damaged. That's why I asked my master to remove the soul lamp so I could recuperate," Ji Mofan said, making up an excuse on the spot.
Ji Yunhong frowned. "When did this happen?"
Others also cast suspicious glances their way.
This reason is too casual and lacks any credibility.
"I've been injured for quite some time now. My master even investigated and found out that there was a ferocious beast called Azure Phoenix in the Eclipse Secret Realm. That's how I had the opportunity to hunt for a demon core in the secret realm to repair my soul." Ji Mofan brought up old, trivial matters to vouch for himself.
This time, everyone present was speechless.
It is no secret that the ferocious Qingluan beast can travel to the underworld and has a natural affinity for souls, and that its demon core has the effect of strengthening the soul.
At the time, only four people knew the purpose of Ji Mo Fan's departure from the sect to the Eclipse Secret Realm.
Aside from Ji Mofan himself, Li Geyue hadn't had a chance to speak earlier, Qi Fengyu wasn't present at the moment and had gone back to recuperate, and Shen Yun had already clearly stated his side just now, so it was impossible for him to change his mind on the spot.
Others only know that he was injured in the secret realm and that his demon core was stolen by Fang Xian of Changfeng Valley, but there has been no follow-up to this matter since he went to Changfeng Valley to recuperate.
The timing of bringing up this old story now is just right.
It was because he failed to obtain the Azure Phoenix Demon Core that Ji Mo Fan's old injury was delayed again and again until now he had to retrieve the Soul Lamp.
No one dared to press him further about when and how he was injured.
Ji Mofan's attitude did change after that serious injury, but before that, he never shirked any of the sect's affairs, so much so that he was so busy that he had almost no personal time.
So what caused his injury? The answer is obvious.
Ge Gen couldn't help but hug his master's arm tightly.
Sensing his apprentice's protectiveness, Ji Mo Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in his heart.
Although he had anticipated this scene before returning to his sect...
But he never expected that Ge Gen, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, would dare to barge into the main hall where the elders were having a meeting, and even argue for him in front of so many people.
Seeing that the child was about to say something in front of everyone, Ji Mofan quickly put his arm around the child's shoulder and pulled him behind him before he could speak.
There's no need to argue anymore.
He said these things only to show everyone that Ji Mofan's departure from Yun Cang Sword Sect was not out of guilt, but because of rampant rumors, and he chose to sever ties with the sect in order to protect its reputation.
So what if something goes wrong...?
The person who should be blamed is not him, but the one who spread the rumors.
Those who had been standing tall and ready to confront Ji Mo Fan before he entered the main hall now realized what was happening and couldn't help but lower their heads.
Despite feeling ashamed, no one objected to the meaning of Ji Mofan's words, and no one said a single word to persuade him to stay.
They didn't think there was anything wrong with Ji Mofan devoting so much energy and time to the Yun Cang Sword Sect, only to end up being abandoned by the sect.
Who told him to be plagued by rumors?
Sacrificing a minority to protect the interests of the majority—there's a reason for that, no matter how you look at it.
What is justice if not representing the interests of the majority?
*
Ji Mo Fan left the main hall alone in silence.
No, he wasn't alone.
He had a tagalong following him around.
Ge Gen couldn't fly on a sword yet, and the way he followed Ji Mo Fan with his short legs, running with his light footwork, looked quite pitiful. In the end, I couldn't help but pick him up and carry him back to my bamboo house.
Ji Mofan has lived in this simple courtyard for twelve years, from when he was seven or eight years old until now.
When he first entered the village, no one cared about him. The entire courtyard was almost entirely renovated by the seven-year-old Ji Mofan himself, making it habitable.
Shen Yun's "picking up" of the child was truly just "picking him up," he simply gave him a bunch of resources and books and left.
Although he had casually told Ji Mofan before he left that he could go to his cave to find him if needed.
But having just arrived and changed his status from an orphan to a true disciple of a cultivation sect, Ji Mofan's self-awareness was completely confused. He was too embarrassed to even leave his house, let alone look for people.
It wasn't until a few days later, when Shen Yun sensed something was wrong and came looking for him, that he discovered the child had been eating bamboo shoots for several meals.
For some reason, only bamboo grows near his bamboo hut, and other wild vegetables are scarce. He had no choice but to boil bamboo shoots for several days straight.
It would be a complete fantasy to expect a seven-year-old ordinary child to travel between the public canteen on and off Yuncang Mountain every day.
Moreover, at that time, Ji Mo Fan didn't even know where the cafeteria was.
When the old sect leader heard about it, he gave Shen Yun a scolding.
After that, Shen Yun became somewhat aware that he was raising a child, but only a little.
Aside from cultivation, the standard for other daily chores is simply to keep oneself from starving.
It's hard to imagine how this person grew up.
As a result, Ji Mo Fan still has a phobia of the taste of bamboo shoots, and unconsciously prefers to chop bamboo shoots when practicing swordsmanship.
Pushing open the fence gate, a spotless courtyard comes into view.
“After Master left, I come here to clean up every day after I finish practicing my sword!” Ge Gen hopped in behind him, looking up with an expression full of expectation for praise.
"It's a pity, it seems that Master won't need this place anymore..." Before Ji Mofan could even finish praising it, the child lost his spirit again, looking rather dejected.
Ji Mofan was both amused and exasperated.
He really needs to move around in his bamboo house every day, otherwise the bamboo shoots around it will sprout into the yard in just a few days.
"Don't feel regretful." He reached out and patted Ge Gen on the back.
"Everything you've done is not in vain; it will surely reward you in unexpected ways in the future."
Ge Gen nodded, seemingly understanding, "Then, Master, what brings you back this time?"
Ji Mofan turned his head and looked again at the small bamboo house where he had lived for several years.
"Let me pack my things a bit," he murmured. "I probably won't be coming back."
Ge Gen remained silent for a long time.
Ji Mofan turned his head and saw that the child was nervously clutching the hem of his clothes, and his Yun Shui Lan disciple robe was almost torn to shreds.
"Ge Gen, would you like to come with me?"
Ge Gen heard Ji Mo Fan's voice above his head.
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