Half a moment later, Steward Lu slowly spoke, his voice low, yet each word dripped with bone-chilling coldness. "You wretched woman, you lost our daughter while just going to the market! Wretched woman, what is the meaning of your life, if not to protect Xiao Yue? If Xiao Yue is no longer here, what face do you have to stay in my house? Go back where you came from, just disappear!"
Chun Lan covered her face and sobbed, crying out, "Master," but could not utter another word.
Mo Qi walked out and glanced at Aunt Zhang. He was certain that Granny Wang had been brought by her as a witness, and Granny Wang had likely not even spoken.
Mo Qi then calmly looked at Master Lu. "Who said Xiao Yue was lost? Master Lu, do not be so easily swayed, do not be instigated by villains to wrong good people and chill the hearts of your own family. I was involved in the entire incident and know best what happened at the time, therefore I have the most say. Everyone else's words are one-sided and cannot be trusted."
Aunt Zhang immediately felt provoked. In Fengxi Village, no one had ever dared to openly challenge her verbally. Boy, you think I won't teach you a lesson!
Aunt Zhang's eyes widened in fury as she glared at Mo Qi. Just as she was about to speak, she was interrupted by Master Lu's urgent voice. "You say Xiao Yue wasn't lost? What happened? Tell me quickly." Master Lu looked at Mo Qi, unconcealed eagerness in his eyes.
Mo Qi coughed a few times, cleared his throat, and recounted everything that had happened before the villagers arrived in detail.
Moreover, he was honest, confessing his proposal to Chun Lan without any concealment, only adding a few embellishments. He said that when the giant dragon bit Chun Lan and her daughter, Xiao Yue was injured, and Chun Lan was also injured while protecting her daughter.
Fortunately, Lingxu arrived in time to save the mother and daughter and immediately treated Xiao Yue's injuries. However, Xiao Yue's injuries were too severe. Although the external wounds were treated, the internal injuries could not be healed in the mortal world and required treatment at their immortal mountain. But ordinary mortals were not allowed to enter the immortal mountain.
Seeing that Xiao Yue had excellent aptitude and seemed to possess cultivation talent, Daoist Lingxu, out of great compassion, decided to take Xiao Yue as his disciple, thus allowing him to take Xiao Yue back for treatment.
Therefore, Daoist Lingxu took Xiao Yue to Tianxiang Mountain primarily to treat her injuries. Cultivation was merely a fortunate coincidence of her talent, making it a win-win situation. If Xiao Yue had remained in Fengxi Village, she would not have survived.
Finally, Mo Qi said, "So, this entire matter was originally a good thing, a blessing accumulated over lifetimes. Some people became envious and started trouble, insisting on turning it into a tragedy and thinking the worst. Master Lu, you are discerning and will surely pass fair judgment."
After speaking, he glanced at Aunt Zhang again. Aunt Zhang was infuriated by the provocation, her eyes bloodshot. "You're lying! When we arrived, we didn't see Xiao Yue injured."
Mo Qi shrugged and said casually, "As I said, Daoist Lingxu has already healed all her external wounds. Her internal injuries are not visible from the outside."
Aunt Zhang was about to speak again when Master Lu waved her to silence. The things they described today, dragons, immortals, were things he had never seen or heard of before, but today they all came flooding in.
However, Aunt Zhang and Granny Wang had also mentioned seeing a dragon and Daoist Lingxu performing divine arts.
Furthermore, he had heard servants shouting from his home that there was an anomaly in the sky, with something flying around. At the time, he had maintained his composure and hadn't gone out to look.
Upon careful consideration, if that Daoist did not possess divine arts, he likely wouldn't have had the ability to take people away in full view of everyone.
Therefore, he chose to believe all the bizarre things they spoke of, including Mo Qi's statement that Xiao Yue had suddenly changed, becoming incredibly strong.
This seemed unreasonable, but only this explanation made the entire incident logical.
Master Lu stared intently at Mo Qi. "How can you be sure that Daoist is truly a cultivator from Tianxiang Mountain and not a fraud from somewhere else?"
From Aunt Zhang's description, the Daoist was portrayed as a monster. He had always understood Aunt Zhang's ability to spread gossip, so he was only half-believing her words.
Mo Qi lied effortlessly. "Because when that dragon was fighting with the Daoist, I heard the dragon say, 'So it's Tianxiang Mountain's divine arts, but yours aren't very good, lacking in skill.'"
Master Lu looked at Aunt Zhang. "Is what he said true?"
Aunt Zhang's lips twitched. She wanted to say no. But she had indeed arrived a bit late, and there were too many people who could testify that she hadn't seen the dragon fighting Lingxu, so she didn't dare to lie outright and could only truthfully say, "When we arrived, the dragon and Daoist Lingxu had already finished fighting, and the dragon had left."
Master Lu looked at Chun Lan again, his tone much gentler. "Is that so?"
Chun Lan wept heartbrokenly, tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms. "It is absolutely true, Master, please uphold justice for me."
Master Lu raised his eyelids. "Didn't you say you were injured? Let me see your wound."
Chun Lan immediately rolled up her left sleeve. A glaring wound stretched from her wrist to her knuckles. The crimson blood had already congealed, but it still looked shocking.
The wound was not deep, but the bright red color formed a stark contrast with Chun Lan's fair skin, making it particularly striking.
In reality, Mo Qi had cut it for her with a knife. Aunt Zhang couldn't help but admire inwardly, "This woman is truly ruthless to herself."
Master Lu waved his hand, signaling Chun Lan to put her sleeve down. His face still showed lingering anger as he stared at Chun Lan. "If that's the case, then your daughter's departure was unavoidable for her treatment. But why didn't she inform me? Did that Daoist leave in such a hurry? How much credibility do your words have?"
This was a soul-searching question.
Mo Qi suddenly bowed deeply. "This matter is my fault. Madam Lu was originally going to tell the Daoist that she wanted to discuss it with you at home, but I interrupted suddenly, preventing Madam Lu from speaking. I ask Master Lu to understand my situation. My parents passed away successively in recent years, and I am an orphan with no one to rely on. I also wish to find a strong backing. My eagerness to propose at that time was a bit too much, and I overshadowed others, disregarding their feelings. If Master Lu insists on blaming someone, please blame me."
Master Lu fell silent. What the other party said was so desolate and pitiful, his words so earnest. Moreover, in that situation, everyone was striving for their own interests, pushing and shoving.
How could he blame him in front of everyone? And what was the point of blaming him now? He only wanted his daughter back.
"Therefore, to compensate for my mistake, I have thought of a way to bring Xiao Yue back," Mo Qi continued with conviction.
Master Lu's eyes lit up. "I wish to hear it."
Mo Qi glanced around the surroundings, appearing somewhat troubled.
Master Lu immediately understood and waved his hand, signaling everyone to withdraw.
Aunt Zhang seemed unwilling but could only retreat with the others dejectedly.
Master Lu then said to Chun Lan, who was still kneeling on the ground, "You go and rest first. We will find a physician later to treat your wound."
Chun Lan felt as if she had been granted amnesty, a wave of relief washing over her. She stood up, bowed to Master Lu, and withdrew.
Mo Qi took a few more steps forward and lowered his voice. "If Aunt Zhang has told you in detail, I believe she has already informed you that Daoist Lingxu also promised me before he left that if I could reach Tianxiang Mountain, he would also accept me as a disciple. Therefore, besides Xiao Yue, I am the only one in Fengxi Village who can enter Tianxiang Mountain."
"So what? Can you bring her out once you get in?" Master Lu asked, not understanding.
Mo Qi, however, was secretly delighted, as he felt Master Lu was unknowingly taking the bait.
Mo Qi immediately seized the opportunity. "Therefore, you can pretend to betroth Xiao Yue to me. Then, I will present a marriage contract, claiming I want to bring Xiao Yue back for the wedding. I doubt the immortals on the mountain would have any reason to refuse."
Ultimately, it was out of fear of Master Lu's authority that he changed it to "pretend to betroth" at the last moment. But saying it this way, he felt it was a stroke of genius, which would absolve him of the suspicion of taking advantage of the situation. And the effect seemed to be the same, because once he obtained the marriage contract, even a fake one would become real.
Master Lu gazed at him steadily, his thoughts racing as he weighed the success or failure of this matter and Mo Qi's reliability.
He was not a fool; his vast fortune was not stolen but earned through his intellect.
He clearly understood that this young man was trying to take advantage of the situation, but given the circumstances, if his daughter could return, what was wrong with marrying her to him? He could make a beggar a rich man; conversely, if his daughter could never return, even if she married the emperor abroad, it would be no different from her being dead to him.
He had watched Mo Qi grow up. Although the boy was sometimes cunning, his character was generally good, and he was dependable.
Mo Qi felt uneasy under Master Lu's gaze, but he maintained a calm expression, hands on his hips, head held high, as if to say, "If you can't kill me, I'll soar to the heavens."
"Don't you plan to cultivate immortality?" Master Lu suddenly asked with a smile.
Mo Qi also showed a simple, honest smile. "I want to cultivate immortality, who wouldn't want to live forever? But I am very aware of my own aptitude. I am simply not cut out for it. It's all unrealistic. I admit that my actions by the river were all to strive for a chance to cultivate at Tianxiang Mountain."
"But after calming down and thinking carefully, perhaps Daoist Lingxu was right. I simply have no talent for cultivation, and forcing it would be a waste of life."
"Instead of wasting time striving for something that can never be obtained, ending up desolate and lonely, it's better to be down-to-earth, do what I can with all my heart, and eventually achieve a peaceful, content, and comfortable life. I feel now that if I can approach Xiao Yue and rescue her, that will be the greatest meaning of my life."
Then, he looked at Master Lu meaningfully. "Perhaps Master Lu will become my strong backing then, and provide me with the life I desire."
In his heart, he thought, the life I desire most is to soar through the heavens and earth with Xiao Yue, to cultivate together. Who would want to come back?
Master Lu was satisfied with his answer and generously said, "If you work diligently for me, I will naturally not treat you poorly." He paused and then added, "If Xiao Yue can truly return, your deepest true desire might not be impossible to fulfill."
Mo Qi naturally understood what he meant by "true desire." He offered profuse thanks, deeply grateful.
Thus, in Mo Qi's eager anticipation, Master Lu wrote a marriage contract, word by word, sighing with each sentence, signed his name, and handed it to Mo Qi. He also provided him with some travel expenses.
Master Lu also had his own plans. He felt that the possibility of Mo Qi bringing Xiao Yue back was very small. He was gambling on another possibility: if Mo Qi truly went to find Xiao Yue with this marriage contract, Xiao Yue would most likely refuse. To escape Mo Qi's entanglement, she would definitely return to her parents to annul the engagement. And as long as Xiao Yue returned, he would find a way to prevent her from leaving again.
As for this marriage, if he could persuade Xiao Yue to agree, it would be settled. If she consistently refused, he could completely break the contract.
To be safe, Mo Qi also persuaded Master Lu to have Chun Lan sign the marriage contract.
Holding this marriage contract signed by the parents of Lu Xiao Yue, Mo Qi's hands trembled. He wished he had wings to escape the Lu family, and fearing they would go back on their word, he snatched it back.
But to make it appear as if he was calm and indifferent to the matter, he deliberately kept a straight face, slowed his steps, and swaggered out of the Lu residence.
After leaving the Lu residence and turning a few corners, he could no longer suppress his inner joy. He couldn't help but dance with excitement and laugh heartily.
The gloom of being pushed into the water by Xiao Yue was swept away. He felt the air was much fresher, the sunlight much brighter, and his inner resentment had eased considerably. He was already envisioning his future happy life with Xiao Yue.
After envisioning it, he couldn't help but become narcissistic. "I am truly too smart. I am a genius. You dead girl, trying to compete with me, you're still too young."
Just as Mo Qi was about to step into his home, Jin Dan, with a sly look, blocked his way, a fawning smile on his face. "Brother Mo, I've got the boat back for you. It's tied up securely, guaranteed not to run away."
Isn't that stating the obvious? If it's tied up, it won't run away?
Mo Qi naturally knew why he was here. His head ached. It wasn't that he didn't want to bring Jin Dan along, but Jin Dan wouldn't be able to enter the mountain gate even if he went. Moreover, this fellow definitely knew this, but was deliberately playing dumb and clinging to him.
What was troublesome was that by the river, to get rid of him, under some strange impulse, he had agreed to it.
"I know, you've worked hard. You can go back now," Mo Qi said, patting his shoulder to express his satisfaction and encouragement, and then prepared to bypass Jin Dan and enter the courtyard.
However, what Jin Dan wanted was clearly not satisfaction and encouragement. He immediately moved two steps to the left, blocking Mo Qi again, his smile insincere. "Brother Mo, when are we leaving?"
"Uh, you go back and pack properly tonight, and we'll leave early tomorrow morning. I'll come to get you," Mo Qi said.
"Got it." Jin Dan ran off happily as if he had wings.
Mo Qi watched him disappear in a flash and muttered to himself, "It seems I have to leave tonight."
Just then, a childish, sweet voice called out, "Brother, is that you back?" Immediately after, a petite figure rushed out, her clothes billowing like a butterfly dancing gracefully.
"Zhenzhen." Mo Qi couldn't suppress the smile on his face and hugged the rushing Mo Zhenzhen.
He lowered his head and suddenly noticed that Little Zhenzhen's face was still tear-streaked. Mo Qi immediately asked with concern, "What's wrong, Zhenzhen?" As he spoke, he gently wiped away the remaining tears on her face.
Unexpectedly, as if a dam had burst, tears gushed from Zhenzhen's eyes. "My mother said you, you damned soul, are going to cultivate immortality, to die outside and never return. Brother, are you really not coming back?"
Mo Qi's heart was filled with mixed emotions. Honestly, in the current Fengxi Village, besides Uncle Yao and Zhenzhen, and perhaps Jin Dan, he truly had nothing to be nostalgic for.
But precisely because there was a loyal Uncle Yao and an innocent and adorable cousin, he felt a sense of attachment.
Mo Qi's eyes couldn't help but well up with tears. "Zhenzhen, don't worry, your damned brother won't die. Brother promises you, I will definitely come back."
Zhenzhen was not so easily fooled. Upon hearing this, she hugged Mo Qi's leg and pouted, "No, I don't want Brother to leave."
Mo Qi dragged her into the courtyard and tried to persuade her for a long time, but it was no use. In the end, he had to surrender. "Alright, Brother won't leave."
Mo Zhenzhen then broke into tears of joy. "Brother, play with me."
Mo Qi poked her little nose. "Okay."
At this moment, Li Cuilan (Aunt Yao)'s scolding voice came from inside the house. "You spendthrift man, that damned soul is going to cultivate immortality. Cultivate immortality, do you think it's like doing business, going out today and coming back in a couple of days? They are ascending to heaven. You mortal are still worrying about the life and death of immortals. You should save your breath."
Mo Yun deliberately lowered his voice, but it still carried. "Keep your voice down, and don't speak so harshly. Qi'er is just going out for some experience. He will definitely come back. And now that he has no parents, as his uncle, isn't it natural for me to give him some travel expenses when he goes out?"
Li Cuilan's anger intensified, and her voice grew louder. "He's been eating our food and using our things all this time. I don't know how much he's cost us. I was counting on him to pay it all back with interest someday. Now, it's all gone. Gone, gone, like a meat bun thrown to a dog. But you still want me to chip in more? Unless, unless you kill me."
Then, the sound of a door slamming was heard.
Li Cuilan came out with a dark expression, holding a small box in her hand, her footsteps hurried as if she had stepped on fire. Mo Qi in front of her was like air; she didn't even look at him.
She strode forward, grabbed Mo Zhenzhen, and dragged her out. "You dead child, all you know is to play. Who do you play with? You play with someone who's going to ascend to heaven. Don't you want to live? Come, let's go to Grandma's house. Grandma's house is full of mortals, and this place is full of immortals. If we can't afford to offend them, can't we avoid them?"