Mundane Saint

Chapter 48 – I will protect you

Old Man Gu thought it best not to meddle in others' affairs of accepting disciples. He himself lacked the ability to discern his own disciple's talent and comprehension.

Old Man Gu recognized the sword at Qin Yiyao's waist as a Heavenly Grade divine weapon. He guessed that this young girl wielded such a weapon only because she wasn't strong enough to handle something better.

This Young Master Gu didn't seem like someone who lacked Saint Grade or even Imperial Grade divine weapons and artifacts.

Since Young Master Gu valued this disciple so much, anything he said would be pointless.

"Well, it's already noon. I'll head back now. If Young Master Gu doesn't mind, I'll visit again next time."

Feeling it was about time, Old Man Gu stood up. Gu Heng walked him to the door, exchanged a few pleasantries, and watched him leave.

Gu Heng returned to the Medicine Hall.

Qin Yiyao sat nearby, touching the sword at her waist, contemplating whether to confess about destroying the Black Forest Gang and clashing with the Nianling Sect disciples...

She had never seen Gu Heng angry before.

She feared he might think she had caused trouble as a new disciple, attracting unwanted attention and disturbing his peaceful life.

Gu Heng took some rice, put it in a pot, and started cooking. As he worked, he said, "Yiyao."

"Ah? Master?"

Lost in thought, Qin Yiyao was startled when Gu Heng called her name. She looked up at him, busy yet calm, his eyes deep and unreadable.

"You've been training tirelessly these past few days, and today you return only to sit silently..." Gu Heng said lightly.

Qin Yiyao's heart skipped a beat. Gu Heng was smart; how could he not guess why she left the Medicine Hall for several hours?

"Uh... I..."

Before she could answer, Gu Heng said, "I know, you hurt someone, didn't you?"

How could he not know?

This girl's nature was stubborn and unyielding. Even when surrounded and beaten by the Black Forest Gang, she remained silent. Besides them, there were surely others who had bullied her. Now that she had a place to stay, a stronger body, and a sword, Gu Heng figured she wouldn't swallow those grievances.

She must have gone out to settle scores with those mortals who had wronged her.

Gu Heng didn't stop her because, having accepted her as a disciple, he couldn't prevent her from seeking long-overdue revenge.

"Master... you knew all along." Qin Yiyao smiled sheepishly.

Indeed, she couldn't hide it.

Gu Heng sighed softly.

"You... I actually knew what you were up to when you left this morning," he said with a hint of helplessness. "I'm not stopping you, just advising caution. Don't get overconfident. You've only trained for a few days. What if you encounter someone stronger?"

Gu Heng actually approved of Qin Yiyao teaching a lesson to those who had once bullied her.

But she seemed a bit too hasty.

Even if she didn't reach his level of mastery, where he never fell ill, she should at least have some basic skills.

Given her current frail state, if she ran into some robust mortals trained in martial arts, she might not have the upper hand. Against cultivators... she'd be at an even greater disadvantage.

"Understood, Master. I promise I won't be so reckless in the future."

Qin Yiyao stuck out her tongue.

She knew Gu Heng was right. After all, she was only at the second level of Foundation Establishment. If she encountered an Elemental Infant stage cultivator or someone stronger, she'd be in big trouble.

She had indeed been too impatient. She could disregard the Black Forest Gang she had wiped out, but clashing with Nianling Sect disciples was another matter. Though she had a good master, the Nianling Sect was not to be underestimated. If they came knocking, it would definitely disrupt her master's mundane life.

Her master might not care about these ants, but being confronted was a different story.

"Next time, think things through more carefully."

Gu Heng shook his head. Qin Yiyao's act of playing cute worked well on him.

"Uh... also, Master, the elders from the other side might come looking..."

Qin Yiyao confessed.

The lecher whose right hand she had chopped off claimed his grandfather was the third elder of the Nianling Sect. That old man surely wouldn't swallow this insult.

"Oh? What did that junior do to you?"

Gu Heng asked.

So, after dealing with the young one, the old one would come? How interesting.

"He tried to touch me..."

Qin Yiyao whispered, sneaking a glance at Gu Heng's expression.

Her master's face was stern.

"And how did you retaliate?"

"I cut off the hand he tried to touch me with."

"Good, well done."

Gu Heng nodded. "You did the right thing! Such people deserve a harsh lesson!"

"You have me to back you up. Don't worry about any elders. If they come, I'll make them leave."

Gu Heng spoke with a warm smile, but Qin Yiyao sensed a strong aura of dominance and authority, purely protective.

Qin Yiyao pursed her lips and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Master!"

Gu Heng placed the food on the table and turned to see Qin Yiyao's radiant smile, which made him smile as well.

After they finished eating and rested for a while, Qin Yiyao resumed her sword practice.

...

Twenty miles west of Cloud Spirit City, at Nianling Mountain.

This mountain was home to the Nianling Sect.

The sect had stood here for a long time. When the Sunflare Empire first rose, the Nianling Sect also took root here. Over time, the sect grew stronger. Although it couldn't compare to the top family powers within the Sunflare Empire, it was different here.

Not only did the people of Cloud Spirit City know of the Nianling Sect, but even in the surrounding cities, the families, small gangs, and rogue cultivators were wary of its strength.

At this moment, in a room within the Nianling Sect, the third elder, Wu Rong, was sitting cross-legged, cultivating.

Then, a commotion arose outside the door.

He frowned, opened his eyes, and saw the door pushed open as a disciple in Nianling Sect robes entered.

"Who are you? Why are you intruding on the elder's quarters?"

Wu Rong's eyes flashed with hidden anger. Being disturbed during meditation was displeasing, but the disciple's next words made Wu Rong's hair stand on end.

"Third Elder, Wu Jie... his right hand was chopped off!"

"What!"

Wu Rong stood up abruptly, a dangerous killing intent bursting from him, filling the room with a chilling coldness!

The disciple shivered, quickly kneeling and nervously recounting the day's events to Wu Rong.

Wu Rong's eyes turned blood-red, and his figure vanished from sight.