Chapter 1110 - 1112: A Narrow Road Meeting, Master and Disciple Drifting Apart_1
However, Bai Ruozhu’s attention was quickly drawn by a small grove in the distance, which seemed familiar to her, and there were patches of red on the mountain behind it.
"Achun, past that grove, if we head towards the mountain, Jingxin Temple isn’t far, is it?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
Jiang Yichun’s eyes narrowed slightly, aware of the incident involving the abbess of Jingxin Temple, "Yes, but our manor still lies some distance from there."
Bai Ruozhu nodded; she wasn’t really concerned about being close to Jingxin Temple, but just wanted to get a clear picture of their surroundings.
As the master and disciple, each with a child in tow, walked from the fields toward the manor, they saw several horses galloping down the official road, kicking up dust in their wake.
Bai Ruozhu hurriedly looked over; this road led directly to the Capital City, and she wondered who could be approaching so imposingly. While she watched, the horses rapidly drew closer, and she recognized the riders, her eyes suddenly narrowing.
The leader was none other than the Left Censor-In-Chief, Wu Yunfeng!
Jiang Yichun quickly noticed him too, but by then it was too late for either to avoid being seen. Wu Yunfeng also looked quite surprised and told the people behind him, "Hold up!"
The horses slowed down, and Wu Yunfeng guided his horse onto a side path, coming up to Jiang Yichun.
"Yichun pays his respects to Master, is Master on his way to the Palace?" Jiang Yichun asked respectfully, with a genuflection that, in Danliang Country, was considered a profound act of respect among warriors.
Little Dengdeng, finding his father now at a lower height, was very curious. He looked up at Wu Yunfeng seated on the tall horse and, for some reason, felt a bit scared, pouting and hiding behind his mother.
Wu Yunfeng had already reined in his horse but hadn’t dismounted, looking down from his elevated position at his once-proud disciple with a deep and enigmatic gaze.
Under normal circumstances, Yichun would have carried out the proper pleasantries, asking his Master in surprise why he was there, rather than using such a dispassionate tone. And the question "Is Master on his way to the Palace?" was it not as much a reminder for him to leave quickly and not to delay his trip to the Palace?
This disciple no longer seemed close to him. Naturally, he too could no longer treat him as he once had. His only daughter had died; how could it be that he had no involvement at all?
Bai Ruozhu clenched her palms, sweating, as she fought to keep calm, mainly because the medicine used by Wu Yunfeng and his people was so potent that she had almost divulged everything, leaving a lasting shadow in her heart.
"I have just finished an official task and am returning to the Capital. What are you doing here? Why not accompany your Master back for a drink or two?" Wu Yunfeng said, laughing heartily in seeming good spirits, yet the glance he swept towards Bai Ruozhu was particularly chilling.
Jiang Yichun rose from the ground and replied with a smile, "Master intends to stay in the Capital for some time, doesn’t he? How about I join Master for a drink after I return to court in two days’ time?"
Wu Yunfeng’s laughter felt cold, "I had forgotten that you now care more for your wife and child."
The emphasis he put on "care" was particularly heavy, and Bai Ruozhu instinctively shielded her son behind her, tensing up.
She would never forget Wu Wanqing using the Poisonous Insect on Dengdeng. They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; with a daughter capable of such malice, could Wu Yunfeng be a benevolent man?
The color in Jiang Yichun’s eyes darkened, and he forced a smile, "Master is too serious."
Wu Yunfeng gave Bai Ruozhu and Dengdeng a cold glance, then snorted and turned his horse’s head, "Your mentor will be waiting for you at the Bureau of Government Operations. Don’t keep me waiting too long."
He was yelling as he rode off and by the time his voice faded, he had already galloped away. Jiang Yichun stood there, his fists clenched tightly at his sides, making a crackling sound.
No man can tolerate threats to his wife and child’s safety, even if from a once-respected mentor.
Bai Ruozhu also felt angered. To encounter Wu Yunfeng here was indeed bad luck; just when her family had finally taken some time to enjoy themselves, they now had to return early. Wu Yunfeng’s tone was very aggressive; he implied he would first return to the city and wait for Jiang Yichun at the Bureau of Government Operations. If Jiang Yichun didn’t show up...
Jiang Yichun took a deep breath; his clenched fist gradually relaxed. He apologized to Bai Ruozhu, "Ruozhu, I will escort you and Dengdeng back to the manor first. I will come back to join you after I’ve seen him."
Bai Ruozhu had wanted to go home at that point, but she couldn’t bear to see him feel guilty, so she nodded and said, "Alright, make it quick and don’t let others ruin our mood."
Jiang Yichun carried his son in one arm and wrapped his other arm around his wife’s waist, escorting the two back to the manor.
"Take these medicines with you, just in case you need them, and be careful out there," Bai Ruozhu said, her brows deeply furrowed with concern.
"Alright, I will be careful," Jiang Yichun replied softly.
He kissed his son goodbye and was about to leave when Bai Ruozhu suddenly felt uneasy; the recent scene had clearly shown a rift between mentor and disciple. If he went, it would be like walking into a trap. With that thought, she decisively communicated with Furball through her thoughts, instructing it to hide on Jiang Yichun’s body.
Jiang Yichun was keenly aware and turned his head to look at her. She quickly waved at him but didn’t mention Furball, knowing he would certainly insist that Furball stay with her for her protection if he knew.
Jiang Yichun rode back to the city, and soon he reached the Bureau of Government Operations, where he saw Wu Yunfeng, who had been waiting in the hall.
"Good, you’re quite obedient, not bad at all," Wu Yunfeng said with a satisfied smile on his face, his tone containing a touch of smugness. Once a person has a weakness, they’re not so difficult to handle.
Jiang Yichun bowed respectfully, "How could I dare to not heed my mentor’s orders?"
"Then, given my command, could you bring your junior sister back?" Wu Yunfeng’s voice suddenly rose, and the smile disappeared from his face, his somewhat yellow eyes fixated on Jiang Yichun, like a vulture ready to pounce.
Jiang Yichun’s body jerked; he suppressed the turmoil within him and looked at Wu Yunfeng without changing his expression, "Hasn’t junior sister returned home? Does mentor know where she has gone? I could help mentor with the search."
"Do you really not know, or are you feigning ignorance? If I say your junior sister has gone to the Underworld, would you be willing to go down and look for her?" Wu Yunfeng asked through clenched teeth.
Jiang Yichun feigned shock, "What do you mean by this, mentor? Are you saying that junior sister has passed away? How can that be possible!"
Wu Yunfeng scrutinized his face, seemingly observing Jiang Yichun’s reaction. He neither confirmed nor denied, as if he didn’t want to admit that his daughter was no longer of this world.
Jiang Yichun met his gaze head-on; sparks almost flying from both their eyes. Suddenly, Wu Yunfeng reached out his hand, and a black dot swiftly flew towards Jiang Yichun, so fast that he had no time to dodge...
"Mentor, what are you implying?" Jiang Yichun’s face turned ashen. He didn’t dare to move; the black dot was certainly a Poisonous Insect...