Chapter 1157 - Friends?

Fei Bai Mu wasn't really satisfied with what she had found out but this was still better than nothing. Anyway, even if she had found more, she likely still couldn't change her disciple's feelings. In that case, it would be best not to worry about this needlessly. She should just do what she could to make sure that Hua Lin Yu wouldn't suffer.

Thinking it through like this, she turned back to Jinde. "This might be a little presumptuous but could I trouble you to maybe keep an eye on the situation to make sure things don't turn south? I don't want my disciple to be hurt."

Jinde nodded. "I will. Although for the time being, I'd suggest just leaving things to the two of them. Xin Lan is …" He frowned, wondering how to say it best. "There are some unresolved issues from his past but it's not that there isn't any chance at all that he will treat your disciple well. He might even develop feelings for him. To be honest, I would be very happy if he did."

Fei Bai Mu gave a wry smile. "I can imagine. But as for whom he has feelings for … I guess you will know it better than me."

There was a faint trace of pain in Jinde's eyes but he still nodded. "I do. But I also think that compared to the past, he has taken some steps in the right direction. I'm sure that with some more time and maybe even with the right person at his side, he will put these feelings behind him and find somebody else.

"Why shouldn't that be your disciple? I reckon that it that child from back then? If he is even just half as adorable now as he was back then, then I'm sure that even Xin Lan won't be able to resist for long."

Fei Bai Mu smiled, clearly proud of Hua Lin Yu. "That is precisely the disciple I was talking about. Well, I am sure that you are right. Anyway, even if he can't love him, I hope that he will be able to treat him as a friend. That would be better than nothing."

Jinde wanted to reassure her but wasn't too sure about that in the end either. Friends of Xin Lan … He didn't remember him to have any. Even in the time when they had both lived in the dragon king's palace, he didn't seem to have been close to anyone but him. He was always rather distant.

"That would be very good." He really didn't dare to say anything more than that. After all, there really was no way to say if Xin Lan would be able to develop such feelings or not. It would be great if he could but for somebody who liked to keep his distance, that might not be possible. Well, he could only hope for the best.

Fei Bai Mu did indeed feel a little reassured after this. With the topic at hand being solved, she put her attention on the two people opposite her. "Right, how are you doing? Is your recuperation going well?"

Jinde nodded, giving a smile. "It is. I also have to thank you for that. The things you had brought over the other time have really helped a lot. With everything working together like this, it seems like I'll be making a full recovery in barely a millennium."

Fei Bai Mu nodded. While a millennium sounded like a long time, it actually wasn't for a cultivator. And she could imagine that it would feel even less so for a dragon. Especially one that was living with his husband in a realm that contained just the two of them. Even if it was slightly longer, these two probably wouldn't get bored. "I'm glad that you say that. If there's anything else we can do, you should tell me." She glanced at Leng Jin Yu while she said that as well, hoping that he would really speak up.

Leng Jin Yu shook his head though. "Thank you but there's no need to. Jinde is really on the way to getting better already. We do appreciate the offer though."

"Very well. I won't force you to accept my help. Anyway, you do know how to reach me."

The three of them fell silent and finally, Leng Jin Yu couldn't help but ask.

"About the Jian Yi Sect … How are things?"

Fei Bai Mu sighed. "Same as usual. Honestly, there isn't much news there. The last few years were a little exciting for me personally with having a new disciple again but other than that, it is just the same old thing all over again.

"There were a few times when we had to deal with the demon-hunting sects but it wasn't anything major. With everybody working together, the matter was solved very soon. By now, the Chun Feng Sect has more or less disbanded and the other demon-hunting sects are following the new rules. There are one or two that are a little more difficult to handle but most of them don't seem to mind.

"In fact, after everything that happened at the trial, they seem to have realized where their errors lay. The new understanding of the immortal races that everyone has gained from the two people that the dragon king sent over, as well as Senior Xin Lan's appearance, has helped a lot with that."

Leng Jin Yu nodded with relief. "That's good to hear."

Fei Bai Mu smiled. "You don't have to worry. We've managed to do without you for quite a few years already. We will continue to do so. And if we don't, then I do know where to find you as well. Now, I should probably get back. While they don't need me to be there every single moment, I guess the two of you are busy with other things."

Jinde laughed lightly while his husband gave him a look and then got up.

"I'll show you out."

Fei Bai Mu nodded and the two of them walked out of the palace while Jinde returned to the lake. Standing outside of the gate, they looked out at the plain in front of the palace, keeping quiet for a moment.

"Are there really no problems?"

Fei Bai Mu looked at him, her eyes turning into crescents. "You can't let go, can you? You should think about whether you want to return or not. I'm sure there will be a way to make things work in the Yun Zou Sect even without you."

Leng Jin Yu slightly furrowed his brows but then nodded. "Yes, I guess you are right. But anyway, I'll have to wait for Jinde to be healed first. After that, we can talk again."

Fei Bai Mu inclined her head and then left. Anyway, this was enough of a promise for her that she could put her mind at ease for now.