Love... should have been a distant word for her.

But after interacting with Xu Chang'an and Yun Qian, Li Zhibai gained some understanding of this word.

Precisely because she understood it, she was more certain that her relationship with Tong Jun wasn't this kind of ambiguous affection.

Sisters?

Not that either.

Tong Jun's cultivation of the Charm Technique was too restrictive.

That's why she always said that if they couldn't ascend to higher places together, she should go to High Heaven to see the scenery and come back to tell her about it.

It would surely be a good story.

That's the kind of relationship they had.

Li Zhibai couldn't use a particular word to describe the feelings she and Zhu Tongjun developed along the way, perhaps a relationship more mellow, serene, and like water.

At least, Li Zhibai believed that if one day Zhu Tongjun had a Dao partner, after examining the person's character, she would certainly offer her blessings.

And vice versa.

That's the kind of relationship they had.

She always felt that Zhu Tongjun's sudden "regression" might have hinted at an intention to shake up their relationship.

After all, the shameless Madam Zhu Pingniang was more at ease to act spoiled compared to the cold, snow-like Zhu Tongjun.

"This girl..." Li Zhibai blinked, pondering something.

Dao partner...

Over the years, besides superficial disguises, the sisters truly hadn't gotten close to any man. Ordinary men could hardly approach her, and even if they entered a brothel now, it wouldn't be much different.

So it seemed the one closest to Tong Jun was... Chang'an?

Rumor has it, Tong Jun even played a piece for Xu Chang'an.

Li Zhibai initially thought that Zhu Pingniang's kindness to Xu Chang'an was due to her being his teacher, but later she realized... Zhu Pingniang knew Xu Chang'an before she did, quite the opposite in fact.

A word flashed through Li Zhibai's mind.

"Old cow eating young grass."

Moreover, she discovered from the information that Zhu Pingniang seemed to care for Miss Yun, but didn't quite like her.

Shaking her head.

She was led astray by Qinling, wondering what was in her mind.

How could she let her mind wander just because Zhu Pingniang was close to Xu Chang'an?

She herself was also close to a student as her first intimacy with a man; surely she couldn't harbor any improper thoughts about her student?

To be fair, Miss Yun was more likable, much better than Chang'an who only added to her troubles.

"How could anyone not like Miss Yun..." Li Zhibai blinked, increasingly feeling something must be wrong with her friend.

Of course, she wouldn't know — perhaps somewhere, Zhu Pingniang could even rival her for "Main Palace" status.

After all, looking at the big picture, only Zhu Pingniang, who knew Xu Chang'an before she did, earned trust earlier, and was like a good sister, could compete with her.

But that's something that has never happened and won't happen.

Now, those two wings might be entangled together.

Li Zhibai stretched lazily, feeling that ever since accepting Xu Chang'an as a "student," her mind had been increasingly cluttered... She used to never think about such frivolous matters, believing it's better to concoct more elixirs for sect use.

Suddenly, she remembered the person she admired.

Sect Leader... seemed to have changed like this too.

She always said the Sect Leader was peculiar; now she seemed peculiar herself.

Could it all be because of that student?

Faced with overwhelming evidence, Li Zhibai, despite her reluctance to attribute all the changes or the blame to Xu Chang'an, ended up thinking this way anyway.

And this rain.

Looking at it, she thought her student Xu Chang'an could be even better taught than Qinling by Zhu Tongjun — entirely self-deception.

Xu Chang'an's troubles outweighed Qinling's significantly.

Li Zhibai would rather have Xu Chang'an deviate like Qinling, rather have him covet her body... than have him entangle with mystifying Lingyu and terrifying Celestial Tribulation.

The former could be corrected, but mishandling the latter could have unforeseen consequences.

She still lost to Tong Jun — in raising "kids."

"..."

Bamboo forest rain curtain, shadowy figures.

Li Zhibai shook her head, held up her umbrella, and stepped toward the oil-paper umbrella coming from afar.

"..."

What did he see?

Rubbing his eyes.

Xu Chang'an stopped in his tracks, staring in shock at Li Zhibai emerging from Qinling's residence, so stunned his voice trembled: "Teacher? How did you come out?"

And coming to Celestial Bright Peak, now a somewhat noisy place.

"I can't go out?" Li Zhibai stopped in front of Xu Chang'an, looking down at the boy who was shorter than her and still growing.

"..." Xu Chang'an keenly noticed Li Zhibai's mood seemed slightly off.

Extremely rare.

He blinked, awkwardly laughing: "Who would mind such a thing."

Was he trying to earn a ruler for meddling in an elder's affairs?

"Going down the mountain to see Tong Jun today?" Li Zhibai asked.

Xu Chang'an realized who Tong Jun referred to from this, nodding.

"Go ahead." Li Zhibai spoke, preparing to walk away, but unexpectedly Xu Chang'an suddenly called out to her.

"Teacher."

"Speak."

"That... why is Celestial Bright Peak so lively today, is there any trouble?" Xu Chang'an asked.

As long as Li Zhibai said there wasn't any trouble, he could immediately be at ease.

If it were usual, Li Zhibai would naturally explain without reservation, but upon finding Xu Chang'an no less than Qinling or perhaps the one who changed the Sect Leader...

For this extremely troublesome "rebellious disciple"... it's difficult to be overly accommodating for now.

Yet Li Zhibai's serene nature made it challenging to lose her temper over a minor issue, so under Xu Chang'an's puzzled gaze, she lightly tapped his forehead, admonishing.

"Celestial Bright Peak's trouble? Worse than this rain from the heavens."

Xu Chang'an watched as Li Zhibai stretched her hand out past the umbrella, letting the rain pierce through her Protective True Qi, soaking her pale sleeves, and fell silent.

"..."

"A trivial matter, ask someone else." Li Zhibai touched the place she had tapped, swept her sleeve, and left.

Xu Chang'an: "..."

He just watched the strangely acting teacher leave, his mind a bit disrupted.

Clearly, Li Zhibai wasn't in high spirits today.

Because of what?

In his heart, Li Zhibai wasn't one to be displeased by trifles, let alone hold grudges over "rainwater" issues.

Such changes... because of...

Miss Yun?

In Xu Chang'an's mind flashed Yun Qian's image as he halted, then sighed.

Indeed, the influence Yun Qian had on Li Zhibai in these past few days was visible to him.

So Xu Chang'an naturally placed the blame on Yun Qian, but since it was a dark hue, he just let her wear it, as the lady wouldn't mind.

Xu Chang'an didn't mind either.

People change, teachers too.

If she's not happy, he'll just go ask Junior Master Qin.

Xu Chang'an was about to leave with his umbrella when suddenly behind him, the sound of splashing water paused for a moment, prompting him to turn around.

"Chang'an."

Li Zhibai had halted, the dim light of the rain casting her unrefined features.

Li Zhibai said, "I wasn't angry."

"... Teacher's word it is."

"Mm."

Li Zhibai departed to attend to her own matters.

Xu Chang'an bowed respectfully.

----

When he raised his head again, a slight smile appeared on his concealed face.

Xu Chang'an certainly understood the meaning behind Li Zhibai's explanation after her little tantrum.

This was to ensure her attitude didn't make him feel uneasy, hence the clear explanation.

This feeling of being thoroughly cared for, concerned, and treated like a fragile item... warmed Xu Chang'an's heart yet brought deep helplessness.

Treated like a child.

He had a family of his own indeed.

Xu Chang'an glanced towards Li Zhibai's departing direction, recalling what Yun Qian mentioned to him early in the morning about his mother still being alive... and shook his head.

What mother, compares to teacher?

May the teacher and Miss Yun get along well, harmoniously.

Oh, right.

The teacher... why unhappy.

Was it because he was planning to go down the mountain to see Senior Zhu?

Xu Chang'an recalled the glamorous elder in the Flower Moon Building, feeling like he might have discovered some truth.

Steward Zhu, and teacher... had stories?

Ask Junior Master Qin?

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