Refining the Mountains and Rivers

“Dear guests, please be careful.”

A light voice entered the ears. A somewhat cold-looking female cultivator was escorting several women out from the other side of the door. Her attire was that of a high level figure from Sea Spirit Pavilion. It seemed that these women had some considerable backgrounds.

Qin Yu’s eyes flashed. He didn’t expect that the first familiar person he saw would be her – Clearwood. Her beauty hadn’t changed at all throughout the years, but there was a bit more anxiousness on her face.

Little Sea looked over at the beautiful woman outside Sea Spirit Pavilion. She smiled and said, “Since you recognize her, why not say hi?”

Qin Yu shook his head, “There’s no need.”

Although he had greatly profited from Sea Spirit Pavilion in the past, he had already sufficiently repaid them. Moreover, the difference in their statuses was far too great right now.

If they met each other, besides making Clearwood feel uncomfortable, what else would happen? As for talking about the old days, their relationship wasn’t at that level.

He might as well allow this beautiful woman to maintain her cold pride and not destroy the image she had of him in her mind.

Little Sea didn’t really understand, but she also had no intention of asking. She smiled and followed Qin Yu away.

After sending off the several guests, Clearwood suddenly furrowed her eyebrows and turned her head. She looked down the crowded street at a certain place, but she didn’t see anything there.

The faint fluctuation that appeared in her heart just now had vanished without a trace…perhaps there was too much on her mind, causing her to lose track of herself for a moment.

Clearwood took a deep breath and walked back into Sea Spirit Pavilion. Perhaps for the rest of her life she would never realize that an old acquaintance of hers had been gazing upon her from a distance.

An hour later, Qin Yu stopped in a massive courtyard. The construction was fine and elegant and there was a great atmosphere to the area. But now, to the current Qin Yu, this garden seemed a bit abandoned, giving people a sense of a lack of vitality.

He had given this courtyard away as a gift in the past. When he thought about the dead Qingqing, Qin Yu gently sighed. He flicked his sleeves and their three figures appeared.

Two seafolk on the other side of the door seemed to have had considerable experiences before. They didn’t panic but instead maintained a respectful attitude.

“May I ask who you are? Is there a matter for why you came to our mansion?”

These three people seemed to be humans. But in these past years, because of certain reasons, the status of humans in the capital city had risen considerably. Moreover, their lord was someone close to humans, so how could these two seafolk dare to show any contempt towards them?

Qin Yu lightly said, “May I bother you to pass on a message to your master. Tell him that some old human friends have come to visit.”

“Please wait a moment.” One seafolk stayed behind and the other hurried in to pass on the message.

A moment later, the front doors were opened. A number of intimidating black riders clad in black armor marched out, Leon huddled within them.

After dozens of years, that initially timid and humble boy had now grown up. There was an unexpected sense of dignity in his features.

Leon had a vigilant look. He asked, “May I ask who fellow daoist is, and why you are pretending to be an old friend of mine?”

The two seafolk guarding the front doors almost fainted. This person seemed to have an air of dignity around him, but he was actually just a visiting swindler?

Recently, the situation in the capital city hadn’t been too good and their lord hadn’t made an appearance in a long time. With what happened today, would things turn out well for him? They looked at Qin Yu and clenched their teeth.

After being suspected and questioned by his own disciple, even though Qin Yu knew that it was because of himself, he still felt a bit uncomfortable. Still, as he saw how outstandingly this boy had grown up from the past, he felt even more gratified.

Qin Yu smiled. “We haven’t seen each other for so many years and yet you’ve already forgotten about me?”

This voice…

Leon’s complexion changed. He stared stubbornly at Qin Yu’s face. A look of surprise gradually rose in his eyes, turning to shock.

“You…just who are you…”

Qin Yu laughed. “Many years ago, you, your mother, and your younger brother lived in a little alley on the edge of the capital city. During that time, a human guest came to live next door…”

This was more than enough.

Leon’s eyes widened and his face flushed red with excitement. But before he could do anything, Qin Yu stopped him with a look.

Leon took a deep breath and respectfully said, “So it was you. Please forgive me for not recognizing you. I ask honored guests to come into my mansion and have a drink of tea.”

The several black riders were uneasy about this. Before they could say anything, Leon coldly said, “He really is my old friend. If there are any problems, I will bear all consequences!”

The black riders drew back.

After everyone was sent away, it was just Qin Yu, Little Sea, Hai Ya’er, and Leon. Leon immediately fell to his knees, tears flowing down his face, “Teacher…”

What he knew of his teacher involved many secrets. In order to avoid trouble, he never spoke about him to anyone.

Seeing his true feelings revealed, Qin Yu was also touched. He warmly said, “Stand up.”

Leon shook his head, “This disciple received teacher’s great kindness and yet I was never able to serve you these past years. I do not deserve to be teacher’s disciple!”

Qin Yu was silent for a moment. He sighed, “What happened in the past is ultimately because I implicated you.”

Although neither of them explained it, they both knew what he was talking about.

Leon quickly shook his head, “Teacher, you must not say that. If it weren’t for you, I would never have been with Qingqing to begin with…in the end, it’s because I didn’t have the good fortune and wasn’t able to protect her life.”

Qin Yu looked at him. When he saw the strands of white at Leon’s temples, he found it even more difficult to bear in his heart. “During these years that Qingqing hasn’t been here, have you not found anyone else?”

Leon said, “In my life, I will only ever love Qingqing. I will not allow another woman to enter this courtyard.” As he spoke to here, he bitterly smiled, “Although Qingqing never expressed her gratitude to teacher in the past, she loved this place and the courtyard you gave to us. She would often speak about the many plans she had for it.”

Qin Yu let out a sigh. He pulled up Leon, “That’s enough, there’s no need to speak about painful matters. How have you been these past years?”

Leon respectfully said, “Because of teacher, Miss Yueyue holds me in high regard. I am now in charge of a squad of wolf riders and no one dares to make things difficult for me.”

“Wolf riders?” Qin Yu furrowed his eyebrows, “Isn’t Xue Zheng the current commander of the wolf riders?”

Leon nodded, “Around 20 years ago, Commander Xue Zheng received orders to leave the capital city and patrol. But, an accident occurred during the process and he was unaccounted for afterwards.” He understood that his teacher had some friendship with Xue Zheng. Upon thinking a bit more he said, “After that, His Majesty sent out people to search for him but there was no result in the end.”

To vanish for 20 years without a trace, the chances of him being safe and alive weren’t too high. Qin Yu was silent for several breaths of time before he gently sighed.

This was life. No one knew just what the future would hold. As he thought about the favor he still owed Xue Zheng, he asked, “Does Xue Zheng have any relatives or descendants?”

Leon could guess his teacher’s intentions. His expression was more respectful but there was some regret, “No one knows where Commander Xue Zheng came from. During the years that he managed the wolf riders, he never cared for himself. So, he doesn’t have any relatives or bloodline descendants.”

Qin Yu bitterly smiled. This Xue Zheng, did he plan to have him owe him a favor for the rest of his life?

Leon saw Qin Yu in silent contemplation. His eyes fell on Little Sea and her daughter. He tentatively asked, “Teacher, these two are…?”

He didn’t sense much closeness from the three of them so he didn’t think about it too much. But, he also knew that his teacher wasn’t someone who liked to meddle in things, so he was a bit surprised that he brought this mother and daughter pair with him.

Qin Yu restrained his thoughts. “Little Sea is a friend of mine that I have known for many years. This is her daughter, Hai Ya’er.” He paused for a moment and said, “After today, Little Sea and her daughter will settle themselves in the capital city. I cannot stay here for much longer so I will need you to look after them in the future.”

Leon said, “Teacher, please rest assured. This disciple will make the appropriate arrangements.”

Seeing him be a bit disrespectful, Qin Yu frowned. “Little Sea is someone who once saved your teacher’s life, and Hai Ya’er is a niece who I recognize!”

Leon’s expression turned solemn. He deeply bowed, “In place of teacher, allow me to thank Madame Little Sea for the graciousness of saving his life. In the future, no matter what happens in the capital city, you can come and find me. I will never decline to help!”

Little Sea quickly stopped him and bowed in return.

Qin Yu relaxed. Seeing the restless Leon he asked, “You seem to have something on your mind?”

Leon revealed a hesitant look.

Qin Yu lightly asked, “What, you can’t even tell this teacher of yours?”

Leon fell to his knees, “Teacher, please do not be angry. This disciple dares not be even the tiniest bit disrespectful to you. It’s just…I have no idea whether or not I should speak of this.”

Qin Yu carefully looked at Leon. Seeing only fear and unease, he relaxed. It wasn’t because his heart was too dark, but because the hearts of people changed far too often in this world.

“Speak. If teacher can help you, I naturally won’t stand idly by.”

Leon clenched his teeth. “This matter isn’t for disciple…” He bowed again, “This disciple is useless. During these past years I have been under the care of Miss Yueyue, so I cannot bear seeing her suffer an accident. I can only trouble teacher with this.”