Listening to Xiang Mantang's wistful sighs with a chuckle, Mu Jinyu grinned and said, "Hey, you know your senior brother has never had that patience and perseverance, right? Besides, I'm not short on money, so I just live day by day."
Xiang Mantang let out a soft sigh and didn't say anything more.
In fact, he knew very well that Mu Jinyu's laziness and refusal to cultivate properly came from two fears: the fear of feeling inferior and the fear that if he performed too well, his master would pay even less attention to him.
So, even when his master scolded him, Mu Jinyu steadfastly refused to cultivate seriously, always sporting a playful grin and pretending to be captivated by fun.
And by pretending over time, he grew accustomed to it, and really became less ambitious and more indolent. Even after leaving Yinlong Mountain, he couldn't change back.
Xiang Mantang felt guilty about this, but at the same time, he was quite envious.
If it were not for the deep blood feud he bore, why would he be so arduous, never daring to idle, deprived of any childhood or joyful moments, climbing step by step to his current status!
Sometimes, he too wanted to give up and live as an ordinary person, but he could never forget the sight of his parents dying before his eyes, and he was determined to find his younger sister who was abducted when she was young!
This pressure always drove him to struggle for survival in the most desperate situations, even if it meant resorting to the lowest of tactics!
Lifting his hand slightly, Xiang Mantang looked at his clean, white palm. His hands were freshly washed, untainted by any filth, but he always felt as if they were coated with a layer of blood that he could never wipe away...
Then, looking at Mu Jinyu's bright and clean smile, Xiang Mantang felt envious yet sincerely hoped that Mu Jinyu could continue living such a peaceful and happy life.
Mu Jinyu noticed Xiang Mantang had suddenly fallen silent, thinking he was feeling regret and guilt, so he stepped forward and lightly punched his shoulder.
"Hey, is it really that bad? Are you that discouraged? I thought after all these years in the military, your state of mind would be much stronger. I didn't expect you to still be so tender!"
A faint smile appeared on Xiang Mantang's face as he bantered with Mu Jinyu.
Then, he looked towards Gu Xiyan, who seemed somewhat dumbfounded, and smiled, "So this is sister-in-law, right?"
"Yeah, how about that, isn't she pretty?!" Mu Jinyu said with a touch of pride.
Gu Xiyan rolled her eyes at Mu Jinyu and then, with a hint of blush, said to Xiang Mantang, "Hello, Little Uncle Master."
Xiang Mantang nodded slightly at her, speaking with an apologetic tone, "I'm sorry, sister-in-law, for the rushed visit today. I didn't bring a gift. I'll definitely make it up next time."
"Oh no, that's not necessary!" Gu Xiyan said, waving her hands dismissively, "There's no need for such formality."
After speaking, she cast a peculiar glance at Xiang Mantang, then turned to look at Mu Jinyu, whose beard was still downy, and said in a strange tone, "Are you sure you're Jinyu's junior brother? Not his senior brother, going along with his mischief?"
Gu Xiyan, who was not aware of the intricacies, always found it odd. One was barely an adult at eighteen, while the other looked mature, at least in his mid-twenties. So why was it that the younger was the senior brother?
Upon hearing Gu Xiyan's words, Mu Jinyu glanced at her and said in dissatisfaction, "What's with that look? Do I seem like the type who enjoys mischief? Ah-Xiang is indeed my junior brother, and I am his senior brother, that's an ironclad fact, okay!"
Gu Xiyan said disgruntledly, "Can't I even ask?"
Xiang Mantang worried that they would start quarreling and hurriedly said, "Senior brother, sister-in-law, please, let's discuss this peacefully without quarreling."
Continuing, he explained, "It is like this, sister-in-law, because senior brother entered the sect before me, he is my senior brother. Although I am a bit older, if it weren't for his support, I wouldn't even have been able to join the sect, so I sincerely acknowledge him as my senior brother!"
Mu Jinyu said helplessly, "It wasn't that I was supporting you, back then I was just afraid that the old fart would sell me off, so I insisted that we leave together. It wasn't to deliberately help you, there's no need for you to keep it in mind!"
Back then, after Mu Jinyu's father passed away in depression, he was sent to an orphanage. At that time, his personality had already become somewhat twisted and reclusive. He was often bullied in the orphanage, and some bad kids always tried to take his pocket money.
It was Xiang Mantang who couldn't stand by and watch; he stepped in to help him, and afterward, they got to know each other and became good friends.
Later, their master Mu Shao'ai happened to visit the orphanage and wanted to take Mu Jinyu as his disciple after seeing him. Mu Jinyu didn't know the old fart's background, but being adopted was ultimately a good thing. Yet, he couldn't bear to leave his friend Xiang Mantang behind, so he demanded that Mu Shao'ai take them both, and only then would he agree to become his disciple!
At first, Mu Shao'ai didn't want to accept Xiang Mantang. He felt that Xiang Mantang had no talent, but seeing Mu Jinyu's firm attitude, he reluctantly took both of them as his disciples!
The one he truly wanted to take as a disciple was Mu Jinyu, so naturally, Mu Jinyu became the senior disciple, and Xiang Mantang, who used to call him 'big cousin,' became his junior brother!
However, Xiang Mantang's talent was indeed not that great; he was unable to inherit Mu Shao'ai's medical skills, and he also had no interest in learning medicine. Therefore, after teaching him martial arts, the master sent him to join the military and serve the country to share its worries!
Xiang Mantang shook his head slightly and said in a solemn voice, "Regardless of the state of mind you had at that time, Senior Brother, or why you chose to stand with me, the fact that I was accepted as a disciple by Master is still because of you. This kindness, Xiang Mantang will always keep it deeply engraved in his heart!"
Watching Xiang Mantang's serious and earnest expression, Mu Jinyu felt rather helpless.
Long ago, when they were cultivating at Yinlong Mountain, Xiang Mantang was very reserved and taciturn. Now, after many years in the military and having quelled several instances of unrest around the country, he had become even more reticent.
Mu Jinyu sighed softly, just about to say something.
Suddenly, there came a series of footsteps from the stone path outside the pavilion.
Xiang Mantang's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked towards the spirited woman standing beside him and said softly, "Liu Mei, what's going on? Didn't I say not to let anyone disturb my reminiscing with Senior Brother?"
Although Xiang Mantang's voice was not loud and he did not reprimand her too severely, Liu Mei was so frightened that her face turned pale. She hurriedly said with a trembling voice, "Commander Xiang, please stay your anger. I will go and ask them to leave immediately!"
Liu Mei did not make excuses for herself. A mistake was a mistake; Xiang Mantang had always disliked it when his subordinates made an error and continued to make excuses. To swiftly resolve the matter was the best response!
As Liu Mei was about to step out of the pavilion to ask the outsiders disturbing their conversation to leave.
A rather cold voice, carrying a hint of murderous intent, rang out from outside the pavilion.
"So they are hiding here, making us search far and wide!"
As the words fell.
Two figures, skirting around the bushes, appeared on the cobblestone path.
It was Lin Feng and Ling Feng!