Memories Resurface

After settling the unconscious Zhang Fengge, Fairy Miaoyin left the room and approached Shen Ge, who was sitting in the courtyard drinking, asking, "Shen Ge, what happened to you? How did this happen all of a sudden?"

At this point, she addressed him directly by his name, because she felt it was somewhat inappropriate to ask such a question to a fellow Daoist.

Shen Ge shook his head and said, "It's nothing serious. Someone just tampered with my memory, and I forgot some things that should have been very important to me."

After a moment of silence Fairy Miaoyin asked softly, "Have you remembered everything now?"

She truly didn't want Shen Ge to remember, because the person who could manipulate his memories was also capable of killing him. Based on her understanding of Shen Ge, once she identified who it was, he would definitely try every means to take revenge. Only someone with a significant difference in strength would choose to endure.

Shen Ge glanced at Fairy Miaoyin, picked up the wine pot and poured her a cup of wine, saying, "Although I'm angry at the person who confused my memories, I don't necessarily have to kill him. However, I have an enemy from the past who only has a little over ten years left to live. I don't know if he has broken through yet. I won't be satisfied until I take revenge myself."

After saying that, Shen Ge took out the repaired Phoenix Cry Guqin and placed it on the table. "This is your guqin. It has been repaired. Although its power is not as great as the original, it is still much better than your old guqin."

Fairy Miaoyin took the Phoenix Cry and tried it out. Satisfied, she put it away and looked at Shen Ge, thanking him, "Thank you this time."

After hesitating for a moment, she said again, "Shen Ge, I think you should join the Yaoguang Sect. That way, you'll have some security."

Shen Ge knew why Fairy Miaoyin said that; after all, the warrants issued by the Tianquan Sect and Heavenly Secrets Pavilion had not been lifted, and he was indeed in some danger.

He didn't disguise himself at the auction on Kaiyang Island that time; they already knew his true appearance. With a disguise, identifying a person is still very simple.

"It's all thanks to Yaoguang Island's falling out with them; otherwise, you would have already fallen into their trap the moment you returned."

Shen Ge chuckled lightly, dismissing it, and said, "Don't worry about them. By the way, I heard you say last time that your master was trying to break through to the Nascent Soul. Did he succeed?"

Fairy Miaoyin's face fell, and she sighed, "Alas, my master simply doesn't have that kind of fortune, and it's also my fault as her disciple for lacking the ability."

Shen Ge remained silent for a moment, then softly comforted her, "Please accept my condolences."

"There's no need for melancholy; I expected this and was prepared," Fairy Miaoyin shook her head. "Although I'm still a little sad, I won't wallow in grief."

Shen Ge suddenly sighed, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp of wine. "No one can escape life and death, separation and reunion, love and hate, joy and sorrow. No one wants to experience these things, but they have no choice but to. Some people say this is growth, but how many people really want this kind of growth? In the end, it's just an escape from one's own powerlessness."

The Fairy Miaoyin remained silent, seemingly savoring the moment, or perhaps reminiscing.

After a long while, a desolate melody, tinged with sadness, gradually emerged from her.

She took out the Phoenix Cry and began to play it slowly, following her feelings. The music, sometimes low and gentle, sometimes high and soaring, sometimes tranquil, was so moving that it brought tears to people's eyes.

"Shen Ge, from now on I'm your creditor. You'd better study weapon crafting diligently, otherwise how will you pay off your debt?"

"Shen Ge, I want this. Can you lend me some Spirit Stone?"

"Shen Ge..."

"Shen Ge..."

"Shen Ge, you're crying."

When the music ended, Shen Ge's eyes welled up with tears. He thought of Mu Wan, of all the little things they had shared, and of his own helplessness on the South Sea.

Fairy Miaoyin did not disturb Shen Ge, but simply sat quietly.

Outside the door, Zhang Lingyu, who had just arrived, squatted in the corner, silently shedding tears. He thought of his first wife, whom he had almost forgotten, but the sound of the zither brought back those memories.

It turns out that he hadn't forgotten, but rather he was unwilling to recall or face it.

Half an incense stick later, Shen Ge's spiritual energy circulated, and all his dejection disappeared, replaced by Shen Ge brimming with confidence and sharpness.

He turned to Fairy Miaoyin and congratulated her, "Congratulations on your advancement in both cultivation and the art of the zither. If you don't mind, I'd like to name this piece ' Lovesickness,' is that alright?"

"Okay, I agree. This melody is captivating and evokes memories of the past; the most poignant Lovesickness is the desire for something unattainable." Someone shouted from outside.

Shen Ge smirked, waved to open the courtyard gate, and teased Zhang Lingyu standing at the entrance, "Brother Lingyu, you didn't come here chasing after your precious daughter, did you?"

"Could you please clean up the tear stains around your eyes? You don't really look like your brother Spirit Moon anymore."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lingyue raised his hand to wipe it, but as soon as he did, he realized he had been tricked. He said speechlessly, "Brother Shen, that's not fair. Does watching me make a fool of myself make you happy?"

"Sure, after listening to such a sad song, we need to find something fun to cheer ourselves up."

"Alright, alright, I can't argue with you." Zhang Lingyu waved her hand and said, "Where is my rebellious daughter hiding?"

Shen Ge said somewhat awkwardly, "Well... she's recuperating inside. I suddenly remembered some things from the past and lost control a bit, and I accidentally hurt her. But it's nothing serious, she'll be fine in ten days or half a month."

"She's injured!" Zhang Lingyu immediately became anxious upon hearing this, pointing at Shen Ge and shouting, "Shen Ge, you call yourself an uncle? How can you treat your niece like this?!"

"Calm down, calm down. This time it was my fault, and it will definitely not happen again." Faced with the angry Zhang Lingyu, Shen Ge could only apologize in a low voice. After all, he was the one who caused this, and if he tried to shirk responsibility, the relationship between the two would probably be over.

"Will an apology do any good?" Zhang Lingyu shouted. "No, it won't. You have to apologize to your niece, or don't expect me to let this go."

Seeing Zhang Lingyu openly demanding benefits, Shen Ge's lips twitched. So all his anger was just an act.

So he said irritably, "An apology is out of the question. After all, this is my disciple. How can a master apologize to his disciple?"

"What did you say?" Zhang Lingyu questioned loudly, then her voice immediately softened. "That makes sense. What kind of master apologizes to their disciple? Brother Shen, you did the right thing, I fully support you."

"You rascal, who taught you to change your expression so skillfully?" Shen Ge teased.

"What do you mean by changing your tune? We're family, why are you talking like two families?" Zhang Lingyu said with a smile. "From now on, I'll have to leave my daughter in your care, Brother Shen. Don't worry, she's over eighty years old and not a child anymore. She can misbehave and be disciplined as much as she wants; I won't interfere at all."