"In this old man's view, since Fellow Immortal Gu Su has already been injured, Fellow Daoist Zhai Xing might as well take her back for the time being! Or find some secluded place..." Zhang Daoran seized the chance to persuade him as well.
Unfortunately, before Zhang Daoran could finish, Zhai Xingzi declared with unshakable resolve, "No!! Absolutely not!"
"Alas, Fellow Daoist, why must you do this?" Zhang Daoran and Xunkong Shangren sighed at the same time and spoke in unison. Clearly, neither was surprised by Zhai Xingzi's answer.
"Xiao Hua saved not only this old man's life, but all of ours!" Zhai Xingzi answered evenly. "Moreover, if not for Xiao Hua, we could never have entered Canglangzi's cave dwelling, nor could we have stepped so easily into the Nascent Soul stage! Even so, in this old man's heart, those matters are secondary. What I value is Xiao Hua's trust in this old man. The reason the three of us could become as close as brothers, without question, was chiefly Xiao Hua. Had Xiao Hua been willing, the four of us would surely have sworn brotherhood long ago! Though we never performed the ceremony, in this old man's eyes, the two of you and he are already my sworn brothers of different surnames. This old man is willing to give up his life for you!"
Having said this, Zhai Xingzi turned to look at Gu Suqiudi, who was regulating her breathing, then continued, "There is a saying among mortals: brothers are like hands and feet, women like clothes. Qiu'er is this old man's beloved; naturally, I cannot truly cast her aside like a garment. But in order to save Xiao Hua, this old man is willing to go with the two Fellow Daoists to Biqingyu..."
"Hmph..." Gu Suqiudi's cold voice drifted