Old Gu Six sent off Chang Le and Yun Yiren, then returned and softly told Chang'an about the rescue earlier.
Chang'an was completely speechless, while feeling relieved for Yun Yiren. It was fortunate they were not trying to commit robbery or murder; otherwise, she would have been a pitiful child in need of a quick-transmigrating host to save her.
Exposing her family background right at the start, Chang Le pretended to be pitiful and Chang'an felt sorry for this stranger. How was this peculiar creature raised? If the two people she met today had ill intentions, she could have brought a disaster to Serene Wind Manor.
Their already small group lost another member, but neither Old Gu Six nor Chang'an cared much about it.
Not to mention having been together for so long, even a dog would develop feelings, let alone a human.
It was true, and it made sense. But they were strangers to begin with. He had his path to follow, and Chang'an and Old Gu Six had their own paths as well.
What good would it do to feel reluctant? Could you forcibly keep him or go in his stead on the path he was meant to walk?
Life is a long journey, those encountered are mere passing scenery and transient guests. Everyone has their own life, and one cannot change another's life because of reluctance, nor should one alter the path they wish to walk because of reluctance.
If there is a predestined relationship, no matter how much time and distance separate them, there will be a day when they meet again.
They did not linger because of Chang Le's departure.
The next day, at the first light of dawn, Old Gu Six went down the mountain to scout the situation while Chang'an and the others waited on the mountain.
Chang Le knew they would leave today, so he went up the mountain early to bid farewell to Chang'an again. He happened to meet Old Gu Six at the foot of the mountain.
"Why did you come? Is the divine physician willing to treat your face?"
"Willing," Chang Le did not mention that apart from repaying his life-saving debt, there were three additional conditions to secure this opportunity.
The gatekeeper did not specify what those conditions were, leaving them to be revealed gradually in the future.
He knew these three conditions were like a sword hanging over his head, but even if it was a sword, he had to let it hang there. He had more important matters to attend to, and to succeed, he could not hesitate or look back.
"I already said goodbye last night, so there's no need to go again."
Old Gu Six blocked Chang Le's path up the mountain. After a long standoff, Chang Le eventually took a step back.
He said in a hoarse voice, "I want to see her one more time."
"We are not traveling companions. It's best if we each stay well," the cold words extinguished the hope in Chang Le's eyes.
Neither Old Gu Six nor Chang'an wanted to be involved in those troubles. Old Gu Six only wished for his daughter to live a peaceful life, free from those messy affairs.
Just as Chang Le was about to say something else, a faint cry came from afar, "Chang Le, Chang Le."
The girl ran over, panting, her eyes filled with anxiety. Upon seeing Chang Le, she let out a sigh of relief. "I thought you had left."
"I won't leave," Chang Le's indifferent tone eased Yun Yiren's restless heart, and she smiled joyfully, like the sun rising through the morning mist.
She pulled on Chang Le's sleeve, saying happily, "Then let's go back."
She completely ignored Old Gu Six standing beside them.
Chang Le responded with a faint "Hmm," following Yun Yiren down the mountain. He turned back to look at Old Gu Six, whose expression was cold and aloof, like a deity enthroned among the clouds.
At that moment, he suddenly realized that he had never truly become a part of the Gu family. The warmth of family he felt was real, but also like a dream.
As he turned away, the drooping tree branches in the morning breeze drew a heavenly chasm between them. He could gaze up at the lofty mountains and clouds, but could not cross this chasm.
So close, yet worlds apart.
Old Gu Six's expression was cold as he used his lightness skill to swiftly fly off the mountain.
Outside the mountain was a small village with only around ten households. The village was very tranquil, with each household scattered far apart, maintaining a respectful distance from one another.
After a quick glance, Old Gu Six turned back up the mountain. At this moment, the Purple Dragon that had been dormant in his consciousness suddenly awoke.
It lazily spoke, "There is no danger within a hundred miles."
"Why didn't you say so when I went down the mountain?" Old Gu Six's tone was unpleasant. Was this foolish dragon doing it on purpose?
The Purple Dragon rolled its eyes in annoyance, "I was asleep until just now, and I'll be going back to sleep soon. And don't call me a foolish dragon; my name is Purple Extreme."
After saying that, Purple Extreme closed its dragon eyes again, as if the moment of wakefulness was just an illusion.
Knowing there was no danger within a hundred miles, Old Gu Six swiftly returned to the mountain. "Have you all packed up? Get ready to leave immediately."
Old Gu Six shouldered his backpack and took the mule's reins from Chang'an's hand, but she insisted on leading it herself. "It's no trouble for me, Father. Just follow along and don't get lost."
"Father, why don't you let me carry the backpack?" She felt Old Gu Six was working too hard.
"No need," it was the mule that was struggling, with a mountain of belongings on its back.
The others followed quietly behind. Chang'an was glad to be accompanied by such taciturn and low-maintenance people. If they had a bunch of troublemakers trailing behind, that would have been a real headache.
At the main gate of Serene Wind Manor, two people gazed down the winding path where a group of more than ten people slowly walked past.
Until the tall and small figures leading the group were out of sight, Yun Yiren tugged on Chang Le's sleeve, saying softly, "Chang Le, they're gone. Let's go back."
Chang Le did not move until everyone was out of sight, then followed her pull back to Serene Wind Manor.
Senior Brother hurried over, grabbed Chang Le's arm without a word, and said, "Come with me. Our master wants to see you."
Yun Yiren followed the two, running and asking all the way, "Senior Brother, what does our master want to see Chang Le about? Is it to treat his face?"
"I don't know. Can you stop following us? Our master didn't say he wanted to see you. Have you completed the coursework our master assigned?" His impatient voice faded into the distance.
Unable to catch up, Yun Yiren bit her lip in frustration, stomping her feet angrily before going back to complete her coursework.
Chang'an's group passing through the village drew the wary gazes of the villagers, who held farming tools and eyed them suspiciously.
Only after the group had left the village did the villagers relax. This group dressed in tattered rags coming from the mountain could only be mountain folk or bandits - impoverished and vicious people to be wary of.
It never occurred to them that they might be disaster refugees. In their subconscious minds, those fleeing famine would head south or southwest. Who would be foolish enough to flee northward?
The farther north, the more desolate it became. Half of the year was winter, with not enough food or warm clothing. What was the point of fleeing to that bitter cold place?
Moreover, that area was a place of exile, with all kinds of people. If you didn't starve or freeze to death, you'd likely get beaten to death first.
After leaving the village, they walked for two more hours along the mountain path. Up ahead, a small town appeared.
The town wasn't prosperous, with no walls or guards, not even an archway. You could see the end of the single street from the outside.
However, though small, it had all the basic amenities for living - food, clothing, housing, and transportation were all covered.
When Mu saw the town, he almost shed tears of joy. Finally, there was a place to buy grain.
