Battle Through the Heavens: I Am Han Feng, Respect the Teacher and Value the Dao

Han Feng merely smiled without speaking. Though he had only learned of this yesterday, not refuting it now conveniently covered up his lie about having a "special channel."

"Perhaps the only flaw lies with the other party."

Han Feng pointed it out.

"Patriarch Gu Yuan probably has no interest in my Xiao Clan's ancient jade."

Xiao Zhan said.

Although he was only a Dou Shi now, he was among the few who knew the name of the Gu Clan's patriarch.

In terms of status, the patriarch of the Xiao Clan and the patriarch of the Gu Clan were still equals.

When Gu Xun'er had been placed with the Xiao Family, Gu Yuan had met Xiao Zhan as well.

The reason Xiao Zhan said this was likely because he had sensed the other man's unfathomable strength. If Gu Yuan wanted to seize the ancient jade, he would not need to go to such trouble.

"The Gu Clan may have no interest, but if someone with ulterior motives discovers it, this will become the Xiao Family's fatal weakness."

"Mm..."

Xiao Zhan fell silent.

"I can guarantee that the information on my end will not leak, but Patriarch Xiao should consider how to handle Miss Gu's situation."

At this point, Han Feng suddenly said,

"Last night, Xiao Yan tried to sneak into Miss Gu's room."

"What? That really happened?"

Xiao Zhan abruptly raised his head, his expression shocked. It seemed entirely genuine.

Han Feng nodded slightly and continued, "Fortunately, I was there and found an excuse to smooth things over. Otherwise, the consequences would have been hard to predict."

Han Feng deliberately made it sound more serious. Otherwise, if Xiao Yan were truly caught and treated as a lecher, the People of the Gu Clan would not joke around with him.

Xiao Zhan's face darkened, and he seemed genuinely enraged.

"I understand. Yan'er has only just learned Dou Qi, yet he is already behaving so recklessly. It seems he needs a proper lesson."

"I've made Mr. Han witness something embarrassing."

Xiao Zhan gave Han Feng an apologetic bow.

"It is nothing. He is only a child, so I assume he had no ill intent. A little guidance will suffice."

Han Feng replied with a smile.

Xiao Zhan nodded.

"Yan'er has been without a mother since childhood, and his personality is somewhat withdrawn, so I indulged him more than I should have. He had only just begun improving in recent years, yet I never expected him to do something like this."

Han Feng lightly brushed past the painful subject and said, "In any case, Patriarch Xiao should try to treat Miss Gu like an ordinary member of the Xiao Family from now on. Take better care of her in daily life. Once she grows up, the Gu Clan will naturally send someone to bring her home."

"That is all we can do."

Xiao Zhan sighed. He could hardly tell the Gu Clan to take her back now.

He had neither the strength nor the confidence.

Han Feng then took out a token bearing the pattern of ocean waves and handed it to Xiao Zhan.

"This is?"

"My contact token. Although we have found the cause, if anything unexpected happens, you can use it to contact me. If I am near the Jia Ma Empire, I will certainly come. If I cannot arrive in time, Patriarch Xiao can also use the energy within the token to protect your clansmen."

"Mr. Han, are you leaving?"

"Not so soon. I can stay another two days."

After saying that, Han Feng carefully explained how to use the token. Xiao Zhan accepted it solemnly.

"Thank you, Mr. Han. Xiao will certainly remember this kindness in his heart."

After leaving Xiao Zhan's residence, Han Feng returned to his guest room to rest.

That afternoon, when he went out for a walk, he saw Xiao Yan in Xiao Zhan's courtyard, miserably holding a horse stance. His little face looked as though he were about to cry.

Han Feng smiled and shook his head, heartlessly choosing to pretend he had not seen it.

It was good to make the boy remember this lesson, lest he become a spoiled young master and go around harming decent women in the future.

At the Xiao Family Training Ground, the clansmen trained diligently.

Though most of them were no more than Dou Zhe, their drive to improve was plain to see.

No matter how far the Xiao Family had declined, they were still cultivators, a class above ordinary people.

In this remote Wutan City, they were even considered one of the great families.

Han Feng did not need to worry too much about them.

After walking more than halfway around, Han Feng arrived at the garden again. Miss Gu was sitting inside, reading a book.

Tap, tap!

He lightly knocked on the courtyard gate. The little girl raised her head, and upon seeing Han Feng, she broke into a smile.

"Mr. Han! You're here!"

Han Feng smiled and nodded.

"Miss Gu, how are you feeling? The Heavenly Flame should not be acting up anymore, right?"

"I'm completely better now!"

Gu Xun'er said happily.

Seeing how warmly the Little Girl treated him, Han Feng rubbed her head.

"It is only temporary. The Heavenly Flame is inside your body, and one day in the future, you will have to face this ordeal sooner or later."

"Don't be afraid of the pain when that time comes."

Gu Xun'er did not seem to care. "I'm not afraid!"

"Mm, I believe you."

Han Feng said with a smile as he took out a Jade Bottle.

"I refined some pills last night. If Miss Gu encounters something similar to last night in the future, take one to ease it."

Gu Xun'er accepted the Jade Bottle and blinked.

"Is Mr. Han leaving?"

"Mm. I still have things to do, so I cannot stay with the Xiao Family forever."

Gu Xun'er lowered her head slightly, clutching the Jade Bottle without saying anything.

"However, before I leave, I will prepare a gift for Miss Gu. Try to guess what it is."

"Is Mr. Han leaving tomorrow?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"Then I'll prepare a gift for Mr. Han too. Mr. Han, you can guess as well!"

Han Feng could not help laughing.

"Alright. We will see whose guess is right."

After saying that, he prepared to take his leave, but Gu Xun'er called out to him.

"Does Mr. Han have anything to do next?"

Han Feng thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No. What is it?"

Gu Xun'er looked at the sky. It was still early before evening.

"It's Mr. Han's first time in Wutan City. You probably haven't had a proper look around yet, right?"

"Mm, I really have not. Then... shall we take a walk together?"

Han Feng asked uncertainly.

That was what the little girl meant, right?

A trace of triumphant amusement flashed through Gu Xun'er's eyes, and she nodded.

"Alright!"

And so, one adult and one child walked out through the gates of Xiao Mansion.

When a servant went to report this to Xiao Zhan, he heard that Han Feng was accompanying her. Xiao Zhan merely smiled indifferently.

"Let them go."

After their detailed discussion that morning, Xiao Zhan had completely come to trust Mr. Han.

If the other man's goal had been the ancient jade, that morning would have been the best opportunity to act.

Yet Han Feng had not done so.

If the Xiao Family truly encountered trouble in the future, perhaps Mr. Han would be someone they could entrust themselves to.

Casting aside these "far-sighted considerations," Xiao Zhan smiled helplessly and continued handling official matters.

Once he finished with them, he still had to cultivate.

Nothing was more reliable than oneself.

Rather than thinking about such meaningless things, it would be better to break through to Da Dou Shi as soon as possible, so the Xiao Family could truly gain a foothold in Wutan City.

On the streets of Wutan City, Han Feng held Gu Xun'er's little hand as they strolled through Xiao Family Market.

Although Gu Xun'er had invited Han Feng out shopping, she had actually never wandered around herself. She curiously examined everything around her.

Seeing that the little girl was in high spirits, Han Feng patiently accompanied her, looking and buying as they went, giving Xiao Family Market's sales a tremendous boost.

To be honest, he still could not understand why the Gu Clan had sent their Princess to the Xiao Family.

A stranger alone in a foreign land—Gu Xun'er must miss home very much.

Han Feng had been fortunate. He had been adopted by Yao Chen as an infant, and until adulthood, he had enjoyed Yao Chen's meticulous care, like that of a father.

Although Teacher could be strict with him sometimes, whenever Han Feng recalled the past now, all he felt was happiness.

That was also the fundamental driving force that supported him in continuing onward in this life.

That was why Han Feng did not begrudge Gu Xun'er a little care and affection.

Unfortunately, her status was special. He could look after her for a short while, but a long-term arrangement was out of the question.

He still needed to maintain that sense of propriety.

Once Gu Xun'er grew up, she would become one of the most powerful people on this continent.

And Wutan City would forever remain only a small city on the border of the Jia Ma Empire.

What was the difference between immortals and mortals? This was the difference between immortals and mortals!

Chapter 8: Nalan

Outside Wutan City, in the red maple forest.

Han Feng and Gu Xun'er had wandered all the way out of Wutan City and arrived here.

It was deep autumn. Looking at the crimson maple leaves carpeting the ground, a smile appeared on Han Feng's lips.

Red leaves carry the deepest feelings; a single word sends longing afar.

He plucked a red maple leaf and examined it between his fingers for a moment. Then, as a breeze blew past, he gently released it and let it drift away with the wind.

Gu Xun'er curiously looked over the surrounding maple forest, holding a maple leaf in her small hand as well.

The setting sun of evening hung upon the branches, its lingering glow forming the most beautiful painting. Han Feng took out an Imprint Jade and recorded this wonderful moment.

In his previous life, he had liked carrying an Imprint Jade with him. A small piece of jade could preserve every little beautiful moment in life.

Both Han Feng and Yao Chen enjoyed this plain, unadorned beauty of nature. Others might not understand it, but they delighted in it.