Qin Siyi glanced from her shizun to the sect master. Gui Linghuo stood silently off to the side as well, waiting for the two adults to come to their decision.
“We could do this,” Gui Yin broke the silence.
The three people turned to look at Gui Yin.
“We’ll drop Shan Yu off at her home since Elder Shan has been saying he misses his granddaughter, and then I will take Huo’er and Siyi on an investigation. How is that?” Gui Yin asked.
Qin Siyi’s eyes widened. She nodded. “I think that could work!”
“And then on the way back, we’ll pick up Shan-shimei,” Gui Linghuo said.
Lin Cangyuan let out a sigh of relief. He nodded. “Yes, then, let’s go with that. That way, our little miss won’t be upset that she was left out.”
Gui Yin looked a bit helpless. “Even if she feels left out, it’s not as if we could bring her with us.”
Shan Yu might have the makings of a protagonist with her extreme talent, but she was still only six. A six-year-old had no business being out on an investigation, even if it was a very simple and introductory one.
Gui Yin glanced at Qin Siyi. In fact, he was rather reluctant to bring Siyi with them, but there were no rules against her going, as she was already in the early stages of Foundation Building. The only reason Shan Yu wasn’t allowed to go was because she was still in the Qi Refining State.
“Good, since it’s all settled, I’ll send a letter back to Old Man Shan,” Lin Cangyuan nodded. “It’ll reach him by tonight, and you can all set off tomorrow to Zheng Yu Lake.”
“Yes, Sect Master,” Gui Yin nodded. He placed a hand on Gui Linghuo’s and Qin Siyi’s backs to guide them away from Lin Cangyuan’s study.
Qin Siyi seemed hesitant as she stepped away from the door. She glanced back at the study with a small frown and jolted when she found Gui Yin watching her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Mm…this disciple was wondering when Deng-shixiong is going to come back,” Qin Siyi whispered.
Gui Yin glanced back at the door. Lin Cangyuan had been a cultivator for a long time. Even with the door closed, and their distance, that man was sure to have been able to hear Qin Siyi’s whisper.
The thought amused Gui Yin and the itch to tease arose.
“Do you miss Deng-shixiong?” Gui Yin asked at a normal volume.
Qin Siyi appeared alarmed, but she still nodded honestly.
“Well, he’ll come back when the business he has to take care of is done. It could be next week or next month, but it could also be a few years,” Gui Yin let out a long sigh as he took his disciples from his courtyard. “To be honest, I miss him too. When Yenuo was around, Sect Master-shixiong didn’t seek me out every day to play chess with me. Who knows what he’ll do now that I’m leaving for a few weeks as well?”
Gui Yin’s smirk grew slightly when he heard a thump from the room behind him.
Of course, Qin Siyi and Gui Linghuo were unable to hear this noise.
Gui Linghuo let out a soft sigh. “I hope Deng-shixiong is safe.”
“He’ll be fine,” Gui Yin rubbed Gui Linghuo’s head. “He’s in the last stages of Golden Core. Your Deng-shixiong is a very powerful person.”
Gui Linghuo nodded, but the two children still didn’t look too reassured.
Gui Yin, himself, was obviously unsure of what fate was left for Deng Yenuo.
If this world was indeed a book, according to Miss Shen’s writing style, anyone who was close to the protagonist would meet an unfortunate fate. The prime example was Lord Immortal Ninglan’s fate in the first draft. But if this really were the case, instead of hugging golden thighs and brushing up favors in front of the protagonists, Gui Yin should actually be running far, far away.
But if he thought about this too seriously, he would burst out laughing.
It was similar to your grandmother or an elder of yours telling you a superstition. Although it sounded reasonable to an extent, to actually act on it would be preposterous.
That was how Gui Yin felt the past few days.
“Shizun?”
Gui Yin looked at Gui Linghuo. “What’s wrong, Huo’er?”
“Shizun was lost in thought. This disciple was only worried,” Gui Linghuo said honestly.
Gui Yin smiled. He rubbed Gui Linghuo’s head again. “What are you worried about?”
Qin Siyi had left to inform Shan Yu of their trip for tomorrow, leaving Gui Yin and Gui Linghuo alone at the entrance of the peak. Gui Linghuo’s ears reddened slightly at the familiar action. He lowered his gaze and let his shizun rub his head to his heart’s content.
“Shizun has a lot to think about every day,” Gui Linghuo said. “The affairs of the upper realm, the problems of the lower realms, and the evil forces lurking at our borders. If Shizun isn’t fiddling with a new talisman, then he’s messing with some mechanical parts for a new project. This disciple is just worried about what Shizun is worrying about today.”
Gui Yin chuckled. “Now, why would you do that?”
Gui Linghuo looked up at Gui Yin.
“My worries are my worries to worry about,” Gui Yin said with a light smile. “You shouldn’t worry about me worrying.”
“Shizun is still recovering…”
“I can’t just sit around and do nothing just because I have a case of light amnesia,” Gui Yin said. He looked down at his hands and flexed his fingers. “Besides, I remember enough. My body remembers enough. Business should continue as usual.”
That was exactly what Gui Linghuo’s shizun would say. Since Gui Linghuo met him, he never knew this man to have even the slightest ounce of self-concern. The words “rest” and the name “Gui Qinle” were utterly incompatible.
Seeing that Gui Linghuo fell silent, Gui Yin cleared his throat awkwardly. “Huo’er, you’re still a child. I don’t want my own worries to weigh on your shoulders. Otherwise, you won’t be able to grow tall.”
Gui Linghuo stared at Gui Yin in disbelief. “I won’t be able to grow tall?”
“That’s right,” Gui Yin said. “I want you to grow into a dashing young man who can stand with his back straight. If I pile on all my worries now, your back is going to turn crooked! And if I were to tell you my woes, where will you find time to learn to be a master swordsman, or when will you have time to pick apart my words and say that I’m wrong?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Shizun is never wrong.”
“You see? You’re so worried about me, you don’t even have time to question my actions. You should be asking yourself ‘what is worrying about his actions?’ instead of, ‘how can I help Shizun with his worries?’,” Gui Yin said. He rubbed Gui Linghuo’s head again. “Do you understand what I mean?”
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Gui Linghuo slowly nodded, but he was still uncomfortable with this idea. He was the head disciple—the one who will inherit Shuangye Peak in the future. How could he let his own shizun worry about everything himself? Gui Linghuo heard stories about how Gui Yin had already began to help handle sect duties when he was twelve. Gui Linghuo himself was already thirteen, yet he hadn’t seen a shred of official documents.
Gui Linghuo glanced at Gui Yin. “Then, when I’m a little older, I can help Shizun carry some of the peak’s burdens, right?”
Gui Yin chuckled. “Of course. But not now. You’re still young.”
“Boys my age in the lower realm would have already started getting married,” Gui Linghuo murmured.
“Are you from the lower realm? Were your parents normal mortals?” Gui Yin lightly knocked his knuckle against Gui Linghuo’s forehead. “You get to be young for longer—you should be grateful for that.”
Gui Linghuo was grateful, but whenever he looked at Gui Yin, he almost felt a sense of urgency. It was unexplainable. Even if someone asked, Gui Linghuo would only be able to stare at them. He wanted to help Gui Yin share his burdens because, ever since he arrived, Gui Yin always looked as if he would be crushed under their weight.
But now was fine. Now, after his amnesia, Gui Yin was fine.
Gui Linghuo no longer felt that sense of urgency, but what about when Gui Yin’s memories return?
“…I hope it never does.”
“What?”
Gui Linghuo started.
“What never does?” Gui Yin ask curiously.
Gui Linghuo pursed his lips. “I hope our time like this never ends. That’s what I was thinking.”
Gui Yin’s eyes widened a fraction. He laughed and threw his arm around Gui Linghuo’s shoulders. “How is my little Huo’er so cute?”
“Shizun,” Gui Linghuo’s face flushed. He struggled slightly against Gui Yin’s embrace, but his struggle was rather weak. There was no real resistance.
“Aw, you silly child,” Gui Yin hugged him tighter. “My adorable, sweet, silly child.”
Gui Linghuo shrank his neck. “Shizun!”
“What are you embarrassed about? I’m your father too, aren’t I?” Gui Yin laughed, but still released Gui Linghuo after another second.
Gui Linghuo stumbled back a step, his face completely red. “I-I’m going to help Qin-shimei and Shan-shimei pack!”
“Silly boy,” Gui Yin laughed, “why would your martial sisters need your help packing?”
Gui Linghuo tripped slightly over his two feet, but continued his way down the cobbled path.
Gui Yin lightly shook his head. He looked down at his hand and tightened his fingers towards his palm unconsciously. He let out a soft sigh and went to pack his own things as well. This was their first trip away from home since Gui Yin had lost his memories. It was probably better to be over prepared for this trip, since they wouldn’t even have a guide with them.
As Lin Cangyuan said, the letter was delivered and a reply was received early that morning.
Shan Yu was more than excited to be able to go back to her own clan. She had only been gone for less than a year, but she had missed her grandfather dearly. Her mother often sent her letters, telling her how much everyone missed her, but that was nothing compared to seeing them in person.
“Shizun, I’ll show you around Zhengzhou!” Shan Yu said excitedly as they walked towards the teleportation array. “There’s a lot of good things to eat in Zhengzhou! There’s WulianFlower cakes and there’s also Nianyu tongsui and our signature Baihuacakes. I’ll take Shizun around to taste all of them!”
“Silly,” Qin Siyi scoffed. “Wulian flowers are native to Shizun’s hometown! If Shizun wants to eat Wulian Flower cakes, he can just make them himself. They’ll probably taste much better anyway.”
Shan Yu pouted. “But maybe Shizun doesn’t want to cook them! Besides, the Wulian Flower cakes in Zhengzhou taste different!”
Gui Yin chuckled. “Shan Yu is right about that. After all, Zhengzhou doesn’t import their products from Qingce since Qingce is so far up north, so the Wulian Flowers are most likely grown natively in Zhengzhou. Qingce is naturally a colder place, but Zhengzhou is known for its warm weather. Although the Wulian flowers are said to be the same, the Zhengzhou version of the Wulian flower has most likely adapted over time and become a different variation that can grow in this warm weather.”
Shan Yu smiled at Qin Siyi triumphantly. “You see? Even Shizun says I’m right!”
However, Qin Siyi was no longer focused on this topic. “Shizun, how do you remember this?”
Gui Yin froze for a moment before letting out a short laugh. “It was just…in my mind.”
“That means that Shizun is slowly remembering more things. That’s great!” Qin Siyi said excitedly.
Gui Yin nodded in agreement, but he couldn’t help but hesitate. Was this even something he had forgotten? It didn’t feel like he remembered anything at all. This piece of information was just in his mind. There was nothing particularly special about it.
Was this even something the “original” needed to remember?
“Shizun, do you have the flowers native to Qingce then?” Shan Yu asked curiously.
Gui Yin nodded. “I still have a few bottles of dried Wulian Flowers from my last trip back. If you’d like, I’ll make some cakes for you three when we get back.”
Shan Yu’s eyes sparkled. “Yes! I would love that!”
“Me too,” Qin Siyi agreed.
Gui Yin glanced at Gui Linghuo.
Gui Linghuo met his gaze. He lightly cleared his throat. “It’s been a long time since Shizun has made Wulian Flower Cake. This disciple would also like a taste.”
“Alright! I’ll even make an extra batch for you three,” Gui Yin promised.
With their agreement set in place, Shan Yu was less reluctant to leave Gui Yin and the others. Still, when they arrived in Zhengzhou, Shan Yu’s expression immediately pinched.
Gui Yin looked at the child helplessly and rubbed her head. His gaze darted to the worried servants waiting for Shan Yu.
“Be good. It’s not like we’re never seeing each other again. It’s just a few weeks,” Gui Yin whispered.
“B-But Shizun, they say a man’s heart is fickle. You’re not going to forget Yu’er by then, right?” Shan Yu asked tearfully.
Gui Yin felt a shudder go down his spine. He straightened. “Silly child, what nonsense are you spouting? I’m your mentor. How could mentors be compared to other men?”
Shan Yu’s lower lip trembled. She turned to Qin Siyi. “Shijie, you won’t forget me either, right?”
Qin Siyi stared at Shan Yu in disgust. “I’ll forget you as soon as I get the chance.”
“Siy—”
Shan Yu burst into tears. She clung onto the front of Qin Siyi’s robes. “Shijie, don’t forget Yu’er, please!”
Gui Linghuo watched the scene helplessly. He patted Shan Yu’s head. “It’s okay, Shan-shimei, we’ll co—”
“Get your pig hand away from me!” Shan Yu slapped Gui Linghuo and hugged Qin Siyi tighter.
Gui Yin’s eyes widened. His hand came up to cover his twitching mouth as the servants from the Shan family turned their heads away. Gui Linghuo’s face flushed in embarrassment. He decisively grabbed the back of Shan Yu’s robes.
“Alright, Youngest Miss, let’s get you home, shall we?” Gui Linghuo asked through gritted teeth.
Shan Yu threw a tantrum as she was yanked away from Qin Siyi. The older girl frowned and looked at her shizun.
“Who told you to be so cruel?” Gui Yin asked.
Qin Siyi sighed and held her head, as if she had a headache coming on. She walked over to Shan Yu, who was still kicking in the arms of the servants. She got on her tiptoes, her hand cupping Shan Yu’s face, and placed a quick kiss on the girl’s face. The kiss lasted barely a second, but the effects were immediate.
Shan Yu stared blankly at Qin Siyi, her small hand coming up to cover her face.
“I was just joking with you. How could you cry until you look like a frog?”
Shan Yu’s lip quivered. Her hand lowered and her small fist clenched her servant’s robes tightly. “You can’t forget me, okay?”
“How could I forget you now?” Qin Siyi mumbled helplessly.
Shan Yu raised her arms towards Qin Siyi.
“…What?”
“Carry me!”
The maid beside them giggled. Gui Yin sighed, holding his hand in his head. He snapped his fan shut and clapped his hands together. “Alright, alright. This may be private property, but let’s stop embarrassing ourselves, alright? If you continue to act like this, people would think your grandfather sent you to my Shuangye Peak to be spoiled.”
Shan Yu pouted. “Shizun…”
“Enough,” Gui Yin turned to the maid and servant who were sent to pick up Shan Yu. “Please look after the Young Miss well. And tell Elder Shan that I give him my well wishes.”
The maid and servant bowed.
As they were leaving the building, Shan Yu looked over their shoulder with an indignant pout.
“We’ll play with you when we come to pick you up,” Gui Yin said as he waved his goodbye.
The young miss harrumphed and tucked her head under the servant’s chin.
Gui Yin’s hand slowly fell back to his side as Shan Yu disappeared from his view. He sighed.
“Shizun, are you worried?” Gui Linghuo asked.
Gui Yin shook his head. “I can’t say I’m worried. It’s just…”
Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi waited patiently for him to continue.
Gui Yin held the bridge of his nose. “I hope Elder Shan doesn’t blame me for misguiding his granddaughter.”
“Shizun hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s her fault for being so obsessed with beauty. This disciple would argue that Shizun has taught her for the better,” Qin Siyi said with a strong harrumph.
Gui Yin gave his disciples a half smile.
He didn’t remember the exchange he had with Elder Shan before his precious granddaughter was handed over, but he was sure it had something to do with teaching her “prudency and manners”, as most elders would request of mentors when they sent their spoiled young master or miss out into the world. As for the favor he owed Elder Shan—well, that was even more of a question. He wondered if the year Shan Yu spent at Yunjing Pavilion was even enough to pay it off by one percent.
Once matters were settled at Zhengzhou, Gui Yin took his disciples back through the teleportation array. This time, their destination was a bit further south, to Jiu Village.
Gui Yin thanked the manager who ran the Jasmine Blossoms Inn in Fenqi City. He talked to the manager in low whispers before turning to his disciples with a clap of his hand.
“Are you two ready?”
“Yes, Shizun!”
“Yes, Shizun.”
Gui Yin smiled at the two cuties in front of him before following the manager to the back stables, where a carriage was being prepared.
“Once we arrive at Jiu Village, we’re going to be visiting the village head. His name is Jiu Guoqi, but we’ll be referring to him as Village Head Jiu. What do you think we should do as soon as we get there?”
“We should…ask Village Head Jiu about the situation?” Qin Siyi suggested.
Gui Yin raised a brow. “Right away? What about us?”
“Or…should we find a place to settle first?” Qin Siyi asked, a bit more unsure of herself.
Gui Yin shook his head. He looked at Gui Linghuo. “Do you know?”
Gui Linghuo met Gui Yin’s gaze. He hesitated. “We should be gathering intel.”
“When?”
“As soon as we arrive.”
Gui Yin nodded. He turned to Qin Siyi. “And how are we to gather intel without knowing about the exact situation yet?”
Qin Siyi frowned.
“No need to worry too much. This is meant to be a learning experience. You’re allowed to get things wrong,” Gui Yin reminded.
“Then…since we don’t know the exact situation…” Qin Siyi shuffled uncomfortably. She looked at Gui Linghuo unsurely.
Gui Linghuo gave her a reassuring smile. He knew that she knew the answer. She was just a bit nervous.
Qin Siyi took a deep breath. “We should observe our surroundings. The best intel is gathered through our environment. As cultivators, we should always be aware of our surroundings.”
Gui Yin beamed. “Exactly. That was perfectly answered.”
Qin Siyi perked up as Gui Yin’s hand rubbed at her head. She grunted in protest, but a proud smile still remained on her face.
Gui Yin glanced at Gui Linghuo and gave him a subtle nod. This child also did well in allowing Qin Siyi to answer.
“There’s another thing,” Gui Yin said mysteriously as he gently patted the demon beast that would be pulling their carriage.
Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi straightened to attention.
“We are members of the illustrious and prominent Yunjing Pavilion. Although we, ourselves, know that we are nothing special, we still have a reputation to uphold to outsiders,” Gui Yin said.
With his head lowered, his long lashes were able to cast a clear shadow against his cheek. The warm visage he had, as a mentor, quickly faded. Although Gui Yin was still smiling and he was still kind, Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi couldn’t help but gulp. There was suddenly an air of loftiness to Gui Yin. The children suddenly realized that this was no longer just their shizun, Gui Qianle, but he was also the revered and worshipped Lord Immortal Ninglan.
“As such, this trip is not only to teach you how to conduct an investigation,” Gui Yin said, his every word spoken with measured accuracy. “But also to teach you how to conduct yourselves as disciples of Yunjing Pavilion.”
The servant took the lead from Gui Yin’s hands with two hands and went to tie the beast up to the carriage.
“Many thanks.”
“It is my pleasure, Lord Immortal,” the servant said with a low bow.
Gui Yin unfolded his fan with a flourish and turned to look at Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi. He didn’t tilt his head completely, as he usually would, but seemed to be looking down his nose at them. There was no warmth in his gaze, only a clear distance.
Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi glanced at each other.
“Elegance, but not arrogance. Distance, but not isolation,” Gui Yin said. “Even if you two don’t act this way, this is the way people will expect of you. Otherwise, you will be known as an eccentric.”
The act was dropped with a snap of his fan. Gui Yin shook his head and sighed.
“Not that that’s anything bad. Just look at your Ye-shishu. He acts like that at home and outside. People think he’s odd, but they still respect and like him. Honestly, unless you want people to stay away from you, you can just be yourself.”
“Shizun doesn’t want people to approach him?” Gui Linghuo asked with a bit of wonder.
Gui Yin smiled. He tapped his chin with his fan. “Look at me. What do you see?”
“…Shizun.”
“Not just that. I mean, as a person,” Gui Yin flourished his fan. “Aren’t I good looking?”
Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi glanced at each other.
Gui Yin was not ashamed by the silence. Instead, he grinned. “In this world, beauty is the shortcut to success, but it’s also the harbinger of unwanted attention. Your shizun, me, may not be the world’s number one beauty, but I still am ranked amongst the most handsome bachelors. In my youth, there were many who pursued me and there were many who brought trouble.”
Gui Yin’s words carried a joking tone, but the moment his sentence finished, he became a bit unsettled. His brows furrowed tightly as his head began to ache. Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi hadn’t noticed anything was wrong until Gui Linghuo glanced back.
“Shizun?”
“Ah?” Gui Yin’s head snapped up abruptly.
Qin Siyi and Gui Linghuo had stopped walking as well. Qin Siyi and Gui Linghuo supported one arm each as Gui Yin gently waved them off.
“I’m okay. I just have a bit of a headache all of a sudden.”
Qin Siyi bit her lower lip. She turned to Gui Linghuo. “Da-shixiong, should we call for a doctor?”
Gui Yin waved his hand dismissively. “No need, no need.”
Qin Siyi and Gui Linghuo glanced at each other.
“Look at you two,” Gui Yin said, laughing lightly. “If anything happens, it wouldn’t be too late to wait until I faint until you call for a doctor, right? Come on. Let’s get a move on.”
so much mentor/father Gui Yin moments this chapter heheheheheh (๑˃ᴗ˂)
also i can smell clues with the odd memory recall and the context (reminder) of This World Being a Book… i have made a note axlahxkshx
also also more evidence of his amnesia having to do with an admirer/lover… hmmm….. well all my mind is rotating is how handsome Gui Yin is this chapter alxlahxksk looking forward to more :>
hehe thanks for reading!!
Awww, so many cute moments of Gui Yin and his disciples!! <3
Thanks for the chapter ^v^