Chapter 59: Judging the Noble by the Standards of the Base

"You scared me to death," A'z purple voice was tinged with tears.

It was clear how harrowing the recent events had been.

She could not imagine what she would do if something truly happened to Yun Zhonghe.

Sensing A'z's worry and fear, a wave of warmth passed through Yun Zhonghe's heart.

He gazed at her with deep affection. "Silly girl, how could I bear to die when it's for you?"

Under Yun Zhonghe's gentle words, A'z's emotions gradually calmed.

Suddenly, she noticed the amused smiles on the faces of those around them and blushed deeply.

"Now you know how to be embarrassed," Yun Zhonghe teased with a soft chuckle.

A'z wished she could bite him on the spot.

But Yun Zhonghe only laughed all the more brazenly.

Watching this scene, Hong Qigong couldn't help but sigh, "Ah, to be young again."

In them, he seemed to see the foolish boy he once was, and Rong'er.

The difference was, Yun Zhonghe was sharp and cunning through and through, while Guo Jing, that blockhead, could hardly string two words together.

Yun Zhonghe, in the midst of his playful banter, realized that the setting was inappropriate. He composed himself and saluted Hong Qigong with respect. "Many thanks, Elder Hong, for shielding me from the martial world’s many factions."

"It was but a small effort for this old beggar, nothing worth mentioning," Hong Qigong waved dismissively, his eyes falling on Yun Zhonghe with meaning. "You have rid the martial world of Xiang Yingtian, which is a great deed. Just don’t..."

He trailed off, uncertain how to continue. After a long pause, he finally finished, "Just don’t repeat old mistakes."

As soon as he finished, everyone’s expressions shifted.

Yun Zhonghe looked awkward, scratching his head, unsure what to say.

Hong Qigong’s words were already as tactful as could be. Yun Zhonghe surely understood his meaning.

"Rest assured, Elder Hong. I understand," Yun Zhonghe replied with resolve.

Seeing his earnestness, Hong Qigong nodded in satisfaction, then voiced the question that had lingered in his mind.

"Earlier, I noticed in your blade technique an incorporation of the Dragon’s Regret. Where did you learn it?"

At this, Yun Zhonghe replied calmly, "Hero Guo took a liking to me and personally taught me the move."

Hong Qigong’s doubts at once dissolved.

He knew that foolish disciple better than anyone; for Guo Jing to share his martial arts, he must have found Yun Zhonghe trustworthy.

With this thought, Hong Qigong’s eyes swept Yun Zhonghe from head to toe anew.

To be able to fuse the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms into other martial arts and greatly amplify its power proved a remarkable talent for martial prowess.

A fondness for such talent rose in Hong Qigong’s heart. He patted Yun Zhonghe’s shoulder thrice, then glanced off into the distance.

Yun Zhonghe followed his gaze, still unsure of Hong Qigong’s intentions, when the elder broke into hearty laughter. "Farewell, friends of the martial world! Until we meet again!"

With that, he leapt away, and after a few flickering movements, vanished from sight.

Fu Hongxue watched the old man depart, then strode up to Yun Zhonghe. "Brother Yun, though I do not know how the Peacock Plume came into your possession, you must be careful. The Peacock Manor will never let it remain outside their walls."

Yun Zhonghe met his gaze. He appreciated the concern, but having dared to reveal the Peacock Plume before everyone, he naturally had a plan.

"I appreciate your warning, Brother Fu. I will be wary."

Seeing nothing further to say, Fu Hongxue prepared to leave with the Grandmaster, seeking a place to recuperate.

As for the Grandmaster’s crippled limbs, he trusted Xue Muhua of Heroes' Manor would know how to heal them.

Just as he was about to depart, Yun Zhonghe’s puzzled voice called out, "Brother Fu, please wait. There is something I do not understand."

Fu Hongxue paused and turned back. "What is it?"

"May I ask why, at today’s martial gathering, the Wudang Sect was nowhere to be seen?" Yun Zhonghe had sensed their absence as soon as he took the stage, and even after the contest ended, they had not appeared.

He had hoped to finally teach Song Qingshu a lesson.

But the man hadn't shown from beginning to end.

"Wudang received a carrier pigeon last night—apparently Yu Daiyan was ambushed while escorting the Dragon Saber. His limbs were broken by Shaolin’s Vajra Finger."

"It caused quite a stir. I thought you would have heard, Brother Yun."

"So that’s what happened. I recall it now—ha ha ha!"

Yun Zhonghe chuckled awkwardly, brushing the matter aside.

Last night, he had been busy wrestling with A'z in bed.

Even if the sky had collapsed, he would not have cared.

By this reckoning, the story had now entered the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber arc.

If he could prevent Yin Susu and Zhang Cuishan from meeting, or even act first...

Before Zhang Wuji was born, he could smother him in the cradle.

"Brother Yun, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take Grandmaster and be on my way," Fu Hongxue’s voice pulled Yun Zhonghe from his thoughts.

He glanced at Fu Hongxue, then at Yanbo Tianke, now reduced to such a sorry state by Xiang Yingtian.

After a moment’s thought, he discerned Fu Hongxue’s true intention. "Brother Fu, do you plan to search the land for a great physician to heal Grandmaster’s injuries?"

Hope flickered in Fu Hongxue’s eyes as he replied eagerly, "Indeed! Brother Yun, do you perhaps know a way to cure him?"

"His wounds are old and deep; even with the best doctors, it will be hard to heal. However..."

"However what?" Fu Hongxue seized Yun Zhonghe’s arm. "Brother Yun, if you can heal my Grandmaster, name your price!"

Hearing this, Yun Zhonghe instantly realized Fu Hongxue had misunderstood him, thinking he meant to bargain. He was about to explain when Yanbo Tianke cut in coldly.

"Hongxue, your good intentions are noted, but do not trouble Yun Zhonghe further."

He glared at Yun Zhonghe, whatever gratitude he felt now gone.

"Let’s go!" With those words, he summoned his Serpent Skill and sped away.

"Grandmaster!" Fu Hongxue hurried after.

"Will you even ignore your Grandmaster’s command?" Yanbo Tianke did not want Fu Hongxue to be threatened by Yun Zhonghe or forced to do anything against his will for his sake.

Just as Fu Hongxue was torn, Yun Zhonghe finally found the chance to explain, "You have misunderstood. I meant to say that Black Jade Intermittent Paste will be greatly beneficial to Grandmaster’s wounds. With the help of a skilled physician, the effects would be even better."

As he spoke, he produced a small wooden box from who knows where and offered it to Fu Hongxue.

"This..." Fu Hongxue quickly understood, joy lighting his face. "Thank you, Brother Yun! I am deeply grateful for your kindness."

"No need for thanks, Brother Fu. We are brothers—such a small matter is not worth mention."

Hearing this, Yanbo Tianke was overcome with shame.

He truly was getting old, to have grown so petty.

But he was not one to dwell. At once, he apologized, "I wrongly judged a gentleman by a petty man’s heart. Please forgive me, Young Hero Yun!"