Chapter 953 - An Old Friendship

Zhangsun Xun Yi finally cleared his throat to pull the attention to himself. "Alliance Head Hua from the Liu He Alliance is here as well and would like to meet you. I didn't bring him over this time since I wasn't sure if you would be alright with that."

Leng Jin Yu nodded. "I don't mind. I was friends with his Master back then." His gaze couldn't help but turn downcast when he thought of it. They had only come to know each other when they had already been past their youth and both talents recognized by the cultivation world. There had been some rivalry at first but after going through some rough times together, it had turned into a deep friendship that lasted for many years.

Unfortunately, his friend finally hadn't been able to hold on and perished. It had been one of the reasons Leng Jin Yu finally decided to ascend. After all, he hadn't had many good friends in the first place. After less and less of them were left, there was nothing holding him in the mortal realm anymore.

Zhangsun Xun Yi nodded and got up. "Then I will leave for now. When should I bring him over?"

Leng Jin Yu once again glanced at his husband that was still lavishing his affection on that child. "Actually … you might as well bring him over now."

"Very well."

When Zhangsun Xun Yi had left, Leng Jin Yu turned back to Fei Bai Mu. "How are things in the Jian Yi Sect?"

"We're doing well, don't worry. Naturally, it wouldn't be bad to have more help."

Leng Jin Yu smiled and once again glanced outside. "I guess I'll be staying in the mortal realm for a while but … I'm afraid I can't return."

Fei Bai Mu also glanced outside, once again taking in the way Jinde's hair shimmered in the sun and the way he held himself straight. He didn't look hurt at all when seeing him this way. "What exactly is wrong with him?"

Leng Jin Yu hesitated. This was a very private matter, wasn't it? He felt like he shouldn't talk about it.

Qiu Ling huffed. "What are you doing? If the old geezer didn't want you to share it, he would have pulled you out there already. Just because he's injured doesn't mean he can't do anything anymore. He's still able to hear everything."

Leng Jin Yu sighed. Right. Jinde wasn't the shy type. He would just come and interrupt him if he didn't like where things were going. Still, he wouldn't share the more intimate details in this with somebody else. Even if it was somebody like Fei Bai Mu that he knew well. "It's an old injury, actually. And what is affected is not his body but his soul. It's not easily healed. We found a way but …" He sighed. "It'll take time."

Fei Bai Mu continued to look at that person and furrowed her brows. "If he was healed … would you consider returning then?"

Leng Jin Yu also looked at Jinde, feeling torn. He had spent most of his mortal life in the Jian Yi Sect. To say that there were no feelings of belonging would be wrong. Then again, there was a certain sense of alienation as well caused by the long time he had spent there alone. Returning there would be bittersweet. Just like returning home only to find that your beloved family had already moved away.

Furthermore, there was the Yun Zou Sect. He owed Sect Master Yuchi. So for the time being, he felt that he had to remain in the Yun Zou Sect. At the very least, until he managed to have somebody else take his place.

And then, there was also Jinde. He had been cooped up in one place for so long. When he had finally healed, he would want to go outside again. But he had also said that he wanted to have a child. Did he intend to have one and travel around with it? Or … could he imagine settling down when there was a child? Looking at the way he was fawning over Hua Lin Yu, it seemed quite possible.

"I … can't decide that just like that. There are many things to consider. Anyway, he'll need several thousand years to heal completely. I don't think there is any reason to talk about it now."

Fei Bai Mu kept quiet. Several thousand years … That was a long time. This injury should be very grave in that case. "I think … we still have some items that could be used to aid in his recovery."

Leng Jin Yu smiled lightly. "They are the Jian Yi Sect's possessions. How could I take any of that?"

"Even if you pretend that it's not that way, you are our Jian Yi Sect's Grandmaster. And anyway, some of these items aren't just for a single use. You can just borrow it for a while. As long as he takes even one year less, wouldn't it be good?"

This time, Leng Jin Yu hesitated. He understood Fei Bai Mu's expectations clearly. He also knew she wouldn't force him to do anything but how could he accept her good intentions and then not repay her? His pride wouldn't allow him to do so.

Outside in the courtyard, Jinde sighed. He knew clearly how inflexible his husband was in this regard. After all, he had been the same way when he brought up leaving the Yun Zou Sect before.

"Eh, Xiao Yu, let's go help out your uncle, yes?"

"Which uncle?"

Jinde pointed at the room. "That handsome one over there. You know what? His given name is Jin Yu. Isn't that awesome?"

Hua Lin Yu obediently nodded his head. "That sounds like a good name! He's also very handsome. We should definitely help him."

"Mn." Jinde got up and carried the child inside. He didn't let go of him when he turned to Fei Bai Mu. "Sect Master Fei, I'm honored that you're thinking on our behalf so much. Unfortunately, there really are some things to consider. And anyway, I'm afraid that the things you're able to get in the mortal realm won't help me much." He turned to shoot a look at Qiu Ling and nudged his knee with the tip of his feet. "It's strange how a friend of my husband would offer her help while my own stepson still hasn't bothered to take anything out to help me. Is your treasury running so low these days?"

Qiu Ling only blinked his eyes. It seemed … he really should have done that?