Not wanting to mention Second Brother too much, Bai Ruozhu deliberately changed the topic, "How exactly did you get hurt? Was it something on the battlefield in the Southwest?"

Tu Ying revealed a look of shame, "Not being on the battlefield, I never realized how insignificant I am. What Beiyu City overlord, it's nothing at all."

Bai Ruozhu nodded subtly, indeed, the battlefield is bloody and cruel; only those who have truly experienced it would understand. Many veterans, even if their martial arts are mediocre, can still intimidate ordinary martial artists just by standing there, because they are imbued with the aura of slaughter.

Tu Ying slowly started to speak.

"When I first got to the battlefield, I was also scared. At that time, I was just a foot soldier, and after the first battle ended, I vomited for a long time. There were so many corpses and so much blood, things I had never imagined before. Later, I gradually got used to it, and with my decent martial skills, having slain many enemies, I was promoted to squad captain. That night, I was so excited I couldn't sleep, thinking with each step I could definitely become a female general, and my parents would surely be proud of me."

Tu Ying's eyes brightened as she spoke, showing a kind of brilliance that Bai Ruozhu had never seen before. She seemed to see a female general like Hua Mulan commanding troops on the battlefield, strategizing with skill and precision.

If nothing unexpected happened, Tu Ying should be enjoying the thrill of fighting on the battlefield, right?

"But things were not as simple as I thought. Our team was sent to flank and assault the enemy, but there turned out to be a spy in the team. A hundred people, nearly all died there." Tu Ying said, tears welling in her eyes, while pointing at the scar on her neck, "This was slashed by a Quanrong leader. Later, I fell off a cliff, thinking I was surely dead, but my mentor saved me and brought me back to the valley."

Upon mentioning her mentor, Tu Ying's face showed gratitude mixed with helplessness.

"His name is Kong Hefeng, not exactly a Jianghu person. His inner strength is formidable, and he is skilled in medical skills, especially in treating injuries. I suspect he used to be a military doctor; his bandaging techniques are very similar to those of a military doctor. But when I asked him, he outright denied it, saying he's just a person who doesn't like the chaos outside. Later, when I recovered, I bid farewell to return home, but he absolutely wouldn't let me leave, saying the outside world is too dangerous for me, and since he saved my life, why shouldn't I stay with him in the valley?"

Bai Ruozhu frowned upon hearing this, "Is he trying to take advantage of your gratitude? Even if you want to repay his kindness, you shouldn't be imprisoned by him, right?"

She couldn't help but think of the Ghost Doctor and his daughter who once saved Jiang Yichun; they should be grateful to them, but they insisted on forcing Jiang Yichun to marry Nianrong, not respecting others' wishes, and even tried to kill Bai Ruozhu for it.

It all comes down to two words — selfishness!

"I also hated it at heart, but at that time I was severely injured, and he used many precious medicinal materials to save me. This kindness I must remember," Tu Ying said, pausing. "Moreover, he is a pitiable person, seems to have been through some trauma; he hides away for a few days every month. Once, my injury relapsed, and he couldn't leave to treat me, and in the middle of the night, I heard him screaming terribly and went to see, finding him curled up on the ground shaking, extremely pitiful."

"I asked him to return to Beiyu with me and live in my house; I would support him for the rest of his life, but he absolutely refused, and there were barriers in the valley making it impossible for me to leave. Until one day Ao Qi was being chased and also fell into the valley. I used my mentor's Seven-color Ganoderma to save him, and when he regained consciousness, I wanted him to deliver a message outside, but unexpectedly, my mentor returned suddenly and directly used inner strength to knock the person out of the valley."

Bai Ruozhu recalled the situation Ao Qi mentioned, and it all connected together. Thinking, didn't Ao Qi find Tu Ying until realizing that the valley was surrounded by Kong Hefeng's barriers, and only by falling from the overhead cliff could one enter the valley?

"Why did your mentor not keep Ao Qi for company? Why must he insist on keeping you?" Bai Ruozhu held no goodwill towards Kong Hefeng.

"When they met, it was like they were enemies, injuring each other multiple times, so how could they get along? Originally, I didn't want to confront my mentor so fiercely, but after hearing Ao Qi talk about my brother's situation, I really didn't want to stay any longer." Tu Ying showed a resolute expression on her face; she was determined to return home, not allowing anyone to stop her.

Bai Ruozhu recalled Kong Hefeng's demeanor; he seemed not to be poisoned but likely had some mental issues. Such people tend to be very stubborn and may not just let it go.

But seeing Tu Ying in a bad mood, she decided not to bring it up. If the person indeed came after them, they would deal with it then.

Later, they chatted about Ao Qi, and Tu Ying blushingly said, "He has done a lot, but I don't know if my parents can accept him. He is not a Danliang person, and I don't want to get married in the Western Regions."

"Your mother really likes him, so you don't need to worry about that. As for where to live afterward, I think Ao Family won't be so rigid as to make you have to return to Gaochang." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile, believing that the descendants of those who transmigrated might have a more open mindset.

Throughout the journey, Bai Ruozhu frequently engaged Tu Ying in conversation, ending up neglecting Jiang Yichun and Ao Song. Jiang Yichun handled it well, maintaining nightly closeness with his own wife, while Ao Song started a childish tantrum, announcing near Beiyu City, "Sister Bai, I'm leaving now, see you later!"

"Do you have news about your aunt? Are you going to find someone?" Bai Ruozhu asked with concern.

Ao Song pouted, "Hmph, you still care about my matters? I'm going to find someone, and you don't need to interfere!"

With an attitude ready to walk away, Bai Ruozhu was momentarily puzzled, then soon understood what was happening.

She helplessly smiled and held Ao Song's hand, "A friend of mine has been missing for a long time, and upon meeting, it's inevitable to talk at length. I neglected you, so when we reach Beiyu City, come to my house as a guest; I'll treat you to good food."

Suddenly, Gao Zhou interjected, "Are you bringing any stranger into your house without worrying about your family's safety?"

"How am I a stranger? I'm from the same family as her mentor, and we're fellow disciples, how am I a stranger?" Ao Song glared at Gao Zhou displeased.

Bai Ruozhu understood why Gao Zhou addressed Ao Song like that and with some helplessness, held Ao Song's hand, "Actually, if you count properly, my senior brother Ning Yu is the real heir to the National Master. It's just unfortunate that he is missing; otherwise, I should introduce you to him."

"Ruozhu, listen to the foster father, don't randomly bring people home. Isn't your house small, can it accommodate them?" Gao Zhou leaned over to continue talking.

Bai Ruozhu's mouth twitched, how could it be considered small?

Ao Song bit her lip in anger, "I'm not going, alright, we'll part ways here, let's meet again if fate allows!"

Bai Ruozhu was unable to stop her, only watching her leave with four maids, while Gao Zhou quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

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