Since they had been away from Kunshan for too long and Shu Yao didn't want to delay Shu Yue's cultivation, he proposed that they return to Kunshan as soon as possible.
Even though the gossips had always bothered him, ever since he knew about Shu Yue's feelings for him, he had expected the day when it would become common knowledge.
Shu Yue didn't want her father to be upset, so she agreed to his suggestion. However, fearing that Shu Yao would be hit by more public disputes, she became even more cautious.
It was already the You hour when they returned to Kunshan. Night had fallen, with only a crescent moon remaining, casting a thin layer of silver frost over the entire Kunshan School.
At this time, Kunshan was always extremely quiet. If it weren't for the dim lights in a few side rooms, one might almost mistake it for being deserted.
They had planned to slip into their rooms unnoticed when they returned at this time, but unexpectedly, they were blocked by the acting sect leader on their way.
The two sides confronted each other, and the atmosphere instantly fell into a suffocating silence. The cold wind blew across their cheeks, fluttering their clothes and hair.
"Shu Yue, do you really think Kunshan is your home? You can come and go as you please. Do you still have any respect for the rules!" Li Nao, as the sect leader, was quite dissatisfied with Shu Yue and Shu Yao's unauthorized departure again.
However, his tone was less cold and arrogant than before, and more cautious and calm.
The encounter that night had become a lingering nightmare in his mind, and it had also made him more on guard against and afraid of Shu Yue.
But for the sake of his position as the sect leader, he still wanted to show a bit of dignity to intimidate them, lest Shu Yue think he was easy to bully.
He had thought that Shu Yue would oppose him on the spot, but unexpectedly, he saw the other person smile slightly, but the smile was extremely cold. "This unauthorized departure was our fault. Please forgive us, elder."
Li Nao was stunned. He sized up this heroic man again, unable to believe that such respectful words could come from the mouth of the once arrogant and unruly Shu Yue.
After gaping for a while, he came to his senses and coughed lightly. "Well, it's good that you're back. Don't be so reckless in the future. Remember to come out for morning exercises on time tomorrow. You should rest early."
Li Nao gave them a stern look, then waved his sleeve and walked past Shu Yue with an air of dignity.
But from time to time, he would look back curiously. Shu Yue always responded with a polite smile until the imposing figure faded into the distance, and then the smile on his face disappeared.
Immediately, he cursed in a low voice. "Damn it, he really thinks he's something."
Then he turned to look at Shu Yao and saw him staring at him in surprise. He waved his hand in front of him helplessly. "What are you looking at, Father?"
Shu Yao then came to his senses. There was still a look of doubt and confusion on his fair and elegant face. "Shu Yue, you used to hate that Li Nao so much. Why are you being so nice to him today..."
Shu Yue smiled and asked. "Are you surprised?"
"Uh, yes."
Then, he raised his long eyebrows and curled his thin lips slightly, looking rather lazy and unruly. "It's right to be surprised. I'm too lazy to waste my breath on such a person. Anyway, I've already taught him a lesson. It's not a loss."
"You taught him a lesson? When?"
Realizing that he had almost let the cat out of the bag, Shu Yue's facial muscles twitched, and he forced a stiff smile. "It's nothing. I meant before. Father, don't think too much. Let's go. It's time for us to rest."
Shu Yao always felt that there was an ineffable secret hidden behind this forced smile, but his doubts were finally perfectly brushed off by Shu Yue.
The wind was gentle, the moon was full, and the shadows were faint. Everything came and went in a hurry, and finally returned to the initial calm.
The next day during the morning exercises, Shu Yue openly held Shu Yao's hand. Their actions were extremely intimate. Although Shu Yao still felt awkward and wanted to break free from his grasp, his hand was still firmly held in Shu Yue's palm.
One of the short Taoist priests who was on good terms with Shu Yue saw them appear again and immediately rushed over. He rolled his shrewd eyes and asked in surprise. "Brother Shu, when did you guys come back?"
Seeing the person coming, Shu Yao quickly pulled his hand out of Shu Yue's and stood beside him awkwardly. His slender and graceful figure looked like a child beside Shu Yue's tall one, unassuming and reserved.
Shu Yue just curled his lips slightly and said casually. "We came back a long time ago. We were just caught by Li Nao."
"Ah? Then aren't you in trouble, Brother Shu!" The little Taoist priest started to use his imagination. Being caught by Li Nao, there was no way he could have a good time.
Shu Yue frowned and rubbed his ear to get rid of the noisy voice. He said disdainfully. "What are you shouting about? Why should I be in trouble?"
"You and Shu Yao left Kunshan without permission. And Li Nao is at the height of his power now. He will surely make things difficult for you."
Shu Yue put his arm around the little Taoist priest's shoulder and raised his proud chin. He said disdainfully with a look of pride in his eyes. "Don't worry. If he wanted to make things difficult for me, he would have done it on the spot. There's no way I'd have the chance to stand here and chat with you. Besides, he's dreaming if he thinks he can get the better of me!"
"You're right," the little Taoist priest tilted his head and thought for a while, then nodded.
"Hey, tell me quickly. Has there been any new gossip while I was away?" Shu Yue was full of curiosity and eager to get the latest news.
"Well, there is one. The Kunshan School is going to send some disciples down the mountain for training and to compete with other sects to improve their cultivation. Now a lot of people are vying for the opportunity."
"Training trip down the mountain..." Shu Yue dragged out the words meaningfully. While he was deep in thought, a shrill voice suddenly pierced through the air. "Everyone stand at attention! The sect leader is coming!"
"The sect leader is coming. Brother Shu, let's go quickly." As soon as he heard that Li Nao was coming, the little Taoist priest immediately slipped out from under Shu Yue's arm and scurried into the line to stand at attention.
"Pfft, come if he wants. Coward," Shu Yue said indifferently. Then he turned to look at Shu Yao, took his hand, and said. "Father, let's go too."
Despite the surprised looks from those around them, Shu Yue still held Shu Yao's hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world, just as sweet as a lover holding hands.
Shu Yao almost buried his head in his chest. If it weren't for the sense of security that Shu Yue gave him, he would probably have found a hole to hide in.
Shu Yue still looked calm. He watched as the hypocritical sect leader walked over lightly. The gentle breeze fluttered his clothes. He had one hand behind his back and the other hand in front of him, with his sleeve gathered at a 45 - degree angle. His white hair fluttered in the wind, making him look like a high - level Taoist immortal.
However, beneath this decent appearance was a dirty and despicable heart. Shu Yue's dark eyes showed even more disdain.
Li Nao's brown pupils scanned the crowd. Finally, his gaze fell on Shu Yue and Shu Yao for a moment. He saw the obvious contempt in Shu Yue's eyes.
Suddenly, his pupils darkened a bit, and a hint of coldness flashed across them. Then he shifted his focus to the matter of the training trip down the mountain.