The Thoughts of Master and Disciple

Ge Ye, standing to one side, had a complicated look in his eyes as well. Unlike Nalan Yanran, who had hurried inside, Ge Ye had specifically sought out several other stewards to inquire about the matter, only then learning the reason behind it all.

On the very day Nalan Yanran had gone to the Xiao Family to annul the engagement, Yang Chen had headed straight for Cloud Mist Mountain after leaving the Xiao Family. Afterward, he had publicly defeated Great Elder Yun Leng and Sect Master Yun Yun in succession.

Even when Great Elder Yun Leng activated the Cloud Smoke Sun-Covering Formation, Yang Chen had shattered it with ease.

After that battle, the War God Yang Chen had ridden on the Yunlan Sect's reputation to shake the Jia Ma Empire, while the once-proud Yunlan Sect could only become his humiliating stepping stone.

Naturally, this was an immense disgrace to the proud disciples of the Yunlan Sect. Thus, they blamed and resented Nalan Yanran. Coupled with the rumors that Great Elder Yun Leng and the others might have spread in secret, even Yun Yun, who had agreed to the matter back then, had come to be resented by countless sect disciples.

Yet Ge Ye, who had personally escorted Nalan Yanran to Wutan City, knew very well that the ever-proud Great Elder Yun Leng had played no small part in the annulment. Otherwise, even with Sect Master Yun Yun's approval, it would never have been easy for Nalan Yanran to obtain a Qi Gathering Powder.

However, as someone who had witnessed the events in the Xiao Family's main hall, Ge Ye knew clearly that Lord Yang Chen, the War God whom the Yunlan Sect disciples dared not even mention, was a man of great magnanimity. He had not blamed Nalan Yanran too harshly.

Therefore, after hesitating only briefly, Ge Ye made his decision. He stepped into the great hall and quietly stood by.

Only after Yun Yun had soothed Nalan Yanran did she turn her gaze toward Ge Ye. Her delicate brows lifted slightly before she spoke softly.

"Steward Ge Ye, please go to the Yang Residence in Jia Ma Holy City and present Lord True's calling card. Tomorrow morning, I will bring Yanran to pay him a visit."

"The Yang Residence?"

Ge Ye was taken aback, unable to react for a moment. After all, there was no prominent clan surnamed Yang in the imperial capital, Jia Ma Holy City.

But after asking the question, Ge Ye immediately understood. A residence bearing the surname Yang was most likely the home of Lord Yang Chen, the man honored as the War God.

"If you are unsure, go ask at the Nalan Family. You will find out."

Yun Yun spoke softly without explaining much, for she did not know either, having never visited personally. Ge Ye cupped his fists in salute, and a trace of delight flashed through his heart.

This time, he had made the right bet. It was clear that the War God held no great hostility toward Sect Master Yun or Nalan Yanran. Perhaps, because the sect master had intended to protect him back then, something subtle and indescribable might even come of it.

If that were the case, then as an overlooked steward who did not bear the Yun surname, perhaps he might receive some rewards in the future by following the sect master and young sect master.

"Yes, I'll handle it at once."

With that, Ge Ye turned and left. Only after he was gone did Nalan Yanran pull away from Yun Yun's embrace. Her eyes were red and swollen, and after a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke.

"Teacher, I think I really was wrong this time."

"The fact that you can realize your mistake means you have grown."

Yun Yun raised her slender hand and gently stroked the corner of Nalan Yanran's eye, her face filled with tenderness. She had only wanted her disciple to be a little happier, a little more carefree. She had never expected it to lead to such a mistake.

This time, it was not only Nalan Yanran who realized she had been wrong. Was Yun Yun any different? Just as Yun Yun herself had said, recognizing one's mistakes was what truly counted as growth.

During these days of sitting alone in this empty, desolate hall, Yun Yun had thought through many things and come to understand many things. At the same time, her admiration for that man had only deepened.

He was clearly several years younger than she was, yet beneath his domineering manner, he was extraordinarily mature. It seemed as if he had considered every matter from every angle.

At first, Yun Yun had thought that his attack on the Yunlan Sect had been too impulsive and overbearing. Yet after several days of reflection, she finally understood where his brilliance and maturity lay.

Because he had known from the beginning that Yun Leng's presence meant there was no possibility of reconciliation between him and the Yunlan Sect, he had acted forcefully and suppressed Yun Leng beforehand.

Yun Yun even suspected that the reason he had not launched a massacre was because he had sensed her teacher's presence and thus refrained from striking too heavily. Yet he had still forcefully broken the Cloud Smoke Sun-Covering Formation as a warning to Yun Leng.

That way, no one in the entire Jia Ma Empire would dare provoke him in the future. Nor would anyone be foolish enough to lay a hand on his nephew.

"It's not just that."

As Nalan Yanran spoke, her pearly teeth unconsciously bit her soft red lips. A strange glimmer flickered in her eyes, and a blush seemed to rise on her cheeks, still marked by tears.

When she had wept in Yun Yun's embrace just now, she did not know why, but she had thought of Xiao Yan. Compared to Xiao Yan, her own grievances seemed insignificant.

She had only been gossiped about behind her back by those disciples today, and that was all. They still did not dare provoke her. Moreover, she had a teacher at the Battle Emperor realm to rely upon.

But what about Xiao Yan? That fiancé she had once regarded as a disgrace had endured three full years of disdain and mockery. Even his father, as clan head, had been unable to support him or provide him with anyone to rely on.

Even so, when she had seen him that day, he had remained neither servile nor overbearing. That stubborn yet proud figure seemed to have been carved into Nalan Yanran's mind, returning to her thoughts without her realizing it.

Yun Yun looked at Nalan Yanran's somewhat unusual expression. Deep down, Yun Yun still possessed the heart of a young maiden herself, so naturally she could not understand Nalan Yanran's feelings. She only thought that the enormous change in circumstances today had made Nalan Yanran struggle to adapt. How could she have imagined that her disciple had already fallen into the first stirrings of love?

"All right, Yanran. Don't overthink it. Get some proper rest today. Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet Young Master Yang."

"Teacher, are we going to apologize to him?"

There seemed to be a trace of anticipation in Nalan Yanran's eyes. However, Yun Yun shook her head slightly and explained.

"Young Master Yang is broad-minded and did not dwell on the matter too much. I am taking you to meet him because I wish to ask him to give you some guidance. If you can receive his instruction, it will greatly benefit you in the future."

Over the past few days, even without actively cultivating, Yun Yun could clearly feel that her strength had improved considerably. In particular, her use of wind-attributed energy was as though another door had been opened before her.

"Rest assured, Teacher. I will work hard!"

Nalan Yanran bit her lip, and that noble yet elegant face could not help flashing through her mind—Xiao Xun'er, I will definitely surpass you!

PS: Let me explain: cultivating for sixteen years does not mean being sixteen years old. Who starts cultivating the moment they are born?

PPS: It is not that I am deliberately belittling Yun Yun. It is simply that Yun Yun has never displayed even a hint of a sect master's dignity or presence. The moment Yun Shan appeared, he was able to place Yun Yun, who had been sect master for many years, under house arrest.

Furthermore, when Yun Yun was absent, Yun Leng could easily make decisions on all kinds of major sect matters, even matters concerning Nalan Yanran, without anyone questioning him. That shows just how much authority Yun Leng held.

PPPS: Yun Yun truly has a typically timid personality. Whenever someone is even slightly forceful, she takes the initiative to yield. In the original work, she could neither bring herself to kill Xiao Yan nor find the courage to abandon everything and leave with him. She somewhat has the traits of a people-pleaser.

4PS: Please keep reading, please vote with monthly tickets, please support in every possible way. The author will work hard too. Once the story goes premium, there should be back-to-back updates. I hope everyone will support it.