Refining the Mountains and Rivers

…

He took a deep breath and bowed, "I am willing to try. If such a day comes in the future, I will do everything in my power to save senior-apprentice sister Peachy. If I violate my oath, I will be rejected by the vast brightness, never to become a Ruler!"

This oath was extremely righteous and just right. The Spring Master's expression relaxed. He flipped his hand and took out a black pill. Its smell was pungent and stung the nose. "Take it."

Qin Yu didn't hesitate. He took it with both hands and swallowed it. His neat and clean actions earned a show of admiration from the Spring Master.

"Good, now we are on the same side." He lifted a hand and slapped Qin Yu's shoulder. "Sit down, you must be tired from standing for so long."

Qin Yu: …

Just by eating a pill we are on the same side? And even your expression and tone of speaking changed? Spring Master, can you be a little less honest?

Even though he cursed inwardly, he lightly coughed and sat down across from the Spring Master.

The Spring Master waved his hand. The peach tree's branches swayed and the invisible barrier was dismissed. He poured a cup of tea and put it down.

"Qin Yu, there's also another matter. From this day on, you are the peach garden's son-in-law."

Qin Yu almost spat out a mouthful of tea. He wiped his lips and stared at the Spring Master with wide eyes.

The Spring Master was serenely drinking tea, "You heard correctly. If you still aren't at ease, I can say this again."

The truth was that the Spring Master had already said similar words at the East Sea. But who would have taken him seriously at the time? Everyone knew that he had said it to deal with the Scholartree Saint's pretext.

How could things become like this?

Qin Yu put the tea down. There was something on his heart, but before he could speak he was interrupted.

"I need a reason." The Spring Master laid down his tea cup. "Your talent is excellent and you are worthy of being cultivated by me. But, this cultivation has a limit. If you exceed it, you will be noticed. Don't doubt the attention and scrutiny that a peak True Saint attracts in the vast brightness world. If you want to smoothly pass, you need a suitable identity. The status of being the dao companion of Peachy is the most obvious and appropriate excuse. Moreover, all parties in the vast brightness have already tacitly approved this, so there's no need to suspect it."

Seeing Qin Yu hesitating as if he wanted to say something, the Spring Master said, "This status can not only allow me to help you, but it can give you a great deal of protection. It's known that I dote on Peachy, and as they say, love for a person extends even to the crows of their roof. Anyone who tries to move against you will have to be careful. Of course, this status is in name only. I will announce to the outside that Peachy is going into seclusion to recover. Only when she fully recovers will I officially allow you two to be married."

After a pause, he looked at Qin Yu with a deep expression, "However, if you are willing to give up on the two women you spoke about before, this status can become true."

Qin Yu quickly stood up. He hurriedly said, "I am dull and useless. I would never dare have any thoughts of coveting senior-apprentice sister Peachy."

He had to be clear and firm on his position!

He didn't hope that the Spring Master would receive any wrong information that could create an irrecoverable result.

Qin Yu looked up at the Spring Master, "I shall listen to master's arrangements in everything. I only ask that you honor your promise!"

The Spring Master calmly said, "Alright."

The courtyard doors opened on their own, "Go speak with Peachy. She knows of my arrangements."

Qin Yu respectfully bowed. He took several steps backward and then turned to leave.

Creak -

The courtyard doors closed. The Spring Master raised his hand, looking at the peach tree in the courtyard, "I indeed wasn't speaking the entire truth, but at least there is a chance."

After a pause, he said, "I have my own plans. No accident will occur."

Another pause. He raised an eyebrow, "Of course, I have always been confident in my eyesight."

This time, there was a long silence, as if many people were speaking in the darkness. The Spring Master showed a bit of hesitation before his expression firmed with resolve, "I don't have much time remaining."

No one spoke again.

The Spring Master and the peach tree silently looked at each other.

…

Peachy was awake. When Qin Yu pushed open the door, he welcomed her gaze.

It was a cold and faint gaze.

As if she was an ice-cold yet living sculpture, one without any warmth at all.

Seeing her look at him, Qin Yu's heart throbbed. Then, he felt sorrow.

As the daughter of the Spring Master, she was recognized as being amongst the most beautiful and desired maidens in the vast brightness. She was pursued by countless talented and handsome cultivators.

But who knew what sort of situation she was really in? In order to live until today, how much pain and tribulation had she withstood? Only managing to endure with incomparable difficulty.

When he saw her face that was exactly like Ning Ling's, there was no enmity in his heart.

On the contrary, he was probably feeling grateful instead.

It was because of Peachy that Ning Ling and You Qi were in their current predicament, their life and death tied to hers, and the degree of difficulty in saving them was beyond measure.

But if it weren't for Peachy, there would be no Ning Ling or You Qi in this world.

He took a deep breath and exhaled.

This was fate. Since this was what it was, he could only do his best!

Qin Yu smiled, "Senior-apprentice sister Peachy, I came here to see you."

His smile came from his heart.

Peachy's eyes rippled, "You don't resent me?"

Qin Yu shook his head, "Senior-apprentice sister, there is no need to overthink things. I have already agreed with master and will do everything in my power to help you. There might be a chance."

As he spoke to here, he rubbed his nose, "I'll be honest with senior-apprentice sister. I have always had good luck, and in the eyes of many people I am a heaven-defying powerhouse. Although I never thought about being a Ruler, that doesn't mean it's too late to think about it now."

Peachy said, "Don't casually speak about it in the future."

Qin Yu knew what she was referring to. He cupped his hands together and said, "Thank you for the reminder."

Peachy was silent for a time. Then she said, "I already know your request. If there is a chance, I will set them free."

She spoke with certainty.

Although Qin Yu had already received an answer from the Spring Master, he didn't dare to fully believe a Saint. The Great Dao was known as being heartless after all.

"Thank you, senior-apprentice sister!"

Peachy closed her eyes.

Qin Yu didn't speak again. He bowed and turned to leave.

The doors closed shut behind him.

After several breaths of time, Peachy opened her eyes and looked at the tightly shut door. It was unknown what she was thinking.

…

Third senior-apprentice brother had gone into seclusion.

After Qin Yu learned this news, he felt a little bit of guilt. But, he couldn't explain anything about this matter and could only give a silent apology.

The other peach garden disciples had mixed reactions upon hearing the news. Lei Xiaoyu was the first one to come. She caught up to Qin Yu and asked, "Is it true?"

After receiving an affirmative reply, her eyes darkened a little, but she also seemed to relax. Then she looked left and right and lowered her voice, asking, "Is he here?"

Seeing Qin Yu shake his head, she became bold and gave a thumbs up, "Big Brother Qin, you really are amazing! You even dared to touch senior-apprentice sister Peachy!"

As she said that, she gave Qin Yu a look that wished him much fortune in the future. Then, after teasing him several more times, she left in a hurry.

The second to come was the unknown and unmet second senior-apprentice brother.

Qin Yu knew that right now he was the most eye-catching person in the peach garden, so he always stayed in his room using the excuse that he was recuperating.

When there was a knock on the door, a strong smell of alcohol surged in. The servants that took care of the courtyard all passed out and fell to the ground.

Qin Yu also fainted for a moment. If it weren't for the fact that there was no response from the peach tree, he would have worried that one of Peachy's crazy pursuers had come looking for him for revenge.

Opening the door, the aroma of wine grew even stronger. Qin Yu held his breath but it was useless. The smell of wine was like a living thing, flowing along his body and entering his pores.

The person in front of him had a guilty look and rebuked himself, "I heard that little junior-apprentice brother came back and was recovering. Everything was my fault. I was delayed by someone's trap, otherwise all those things wouldn't have happened."

With a few words, Qin Yu figured out this person's status. This must be his second senior-apprentice brother, who was famous throughout the Saint circles for being fond of fighting.

Of course, among outsiders, especially cultivators that were enemies of the peach garden, he had a resounding nickname - Mad Dog Two.

Qin Yu cupped his hands together, "I greet second senior-apprentice brother!"

In truth, he was somewhat surprised. He never thought that the Second Seat of the peach garden, the supposed Mad Dog Two, would have such an elegant and handsome appearance. If this man changed his clothes and held a book in his hands, he would have looked like a genuine young scholar of wealth.

His appearance was excellent. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he looked as pure as jade.

Sure enough, the cultivators of the peach garden could not be judged by any measure of common sense.

Second senior-apprentice brother reached out a hand to help him up. With a light 'pa' sound, Qin Yu stiffened.

His bones…had probably broken…

He looked up to see that second senior-apprentice was also extremely panicked. Qin Yu immediately ruled out that he came here to vent anger on behalf of White Phoenix.

"Little junior-apprentice brother, are you alright? I really am sorry. I was recently punished by teacher to clean up the wine cellar and the beasts inside, so I didn't hold back for a while. I'm really sorry!" Second senior-apprentice brother said, sweat forming on his forehead.

He had heard about the arrangements that master made for junior-apprentice sister Peachy. Although he was a little surprised, he didn't have any other feelings about it.

He was originally thinking about cleaning the wine cellar first before looking for little junior-apprentice brother to apologize, but after hearing this news, he couldn't wait any longer.

He desperately grabbed a jar of wine and ran over, but before being here long, he broke his little junior-apprentice brother's bones. He heard that Peachy was anxious about this little junior-apprentice brother? Would she be angry? If she was angry, then master wouldn't be happy.

He couldn't stay here any longer!

These thoughts rapidly raced in second senior-apprentice brother's mind. Then, he left the jar of wine behind and said that he would come back to apologize again in the future, and then ran away like a gust of wind.

That's right, he ran…what elegant and handsome bearing? What appearance like pure jade? His back only revealed panic and horror. Qin Yu's feelings were left in chaos for some time.

He bitterly smiled and moved his arm a little. Although the broken bones had mended, there was still an aching feeling.

Second senior-apprentice brother was indeed worthy of being a fierce person who fought every day, provoked countless powerful enemies, and still managed to survive.

His strength couldn't be described with just 'tyrannical'!

Qin Yu believed that his bones were hard, but they had unexpectedly been broken so easily. No wonder the Spring Master had arranged for him to aid Peachy.

Although Qin Yu only had a short bit of contact so far, he felt that if this second senior-apprentice brother of his had bumped into the Black Shadow Half-Saint, then that Saint might not have been able to do as he pleased.

If second senior-apprentice brother was so strong, then what about elder senior-apprentice brother who was in seclusion most of the time?

What a pity. Back at the East Sea he hadn't been able to see him fight with Nine Heads. That must have been a splendid battle.