"... I see." Gu An finally showed a calm smile after a long while. He had understood.
Although Ji Yunxi didn't admit that she was Gu Yunxi, Gu An was almost certain that she was. She just couldn't say it directly due to some unspeakable reasons.
As for Feng Xingzhi, he was very likely the infatuated man who had followed Gu Yunxi back then.
After all, Nianyun and Nianfeng were two swords that recognized their masters. They would never follow anyone else.
Since Ji Yunxi was unwilling to admit that she was Gu Yunxi, there must be her own reasons. So he didn't ask further.
At the same time, when Li Jiuge and the others heard the name Gu Yunxi, they guessed that this was probably another past life of Ji Yunxi.
Ji Yunyi was already used to his younger sister suddenly having several extraordinary past - life identities. After all, she had even stayed in the upper realm. So it didn't seem strange that she had become friends with the master of Qinshe Valley.
However, both Gu Yunxi and Gu An had the surname Gu. Were they relatives?
Curious, he asked, "Valley Master, may I ask what's the relationship between you and Gu Yunxi?"
Gu An had been on guard against them before, but now he completely let his guard down and said frankly, "Gu Yunxi... is my savior. Back then, I was born with an inauspicious fate and was abandoned by my parents. I almost froze to death in the ice and snow. It was Gu Yunxi who picked me up and brought me back to Qinshe Valley."
Hearing this, Feng Xingzhi felt the discomfort in his heart disappear at once. Now he could rest assured. Wasn't this just... an adopted son?
Ji Yunxi sat on one side without saying a word. Apparently, she was also lost in memories, with a nostalgic look on her face.
Gu An continued, "Gu Yunxi taught me to cultivate spiritual power and forge weapons. She taught me to read and write, and even gave me a name. From that day on, I was just Gu An."
Qing Xuan suddenly understood why Gu An was willing to send troops to rescue them because of his words.
Normally, Qinshe Valley preferred a quiet life. Without a necessary reason, they would never actively participate in such things.
Moreover, he could tell that when he came, Gu An actually didn't believe him. But even if there was only the slightest possibility, he wouldn't abandon Gu Yunxi.
The villagers of Qinshe Valley came one after another, taking out the best food from their homes to entertain them.
Li Jiuge said with a big smile, "This place is really a paradise. The people here are simple and kind."
In the past few days, not only had they not had a decent meal, but they also hadn't had a moment of peaceful sleep. Finally seeing such a good table of dishes, they were all extremely hungry.
Gu An saw their eagerness, pursed his lips and smiled, waving to them, "Come on, start eating. You've had a hard journey."
Li Jiuge couldn't help the smile on her lips and looked up, "Thank you, Valley Master."
Then she directly picked up the chopsticks. She had long forgotten that she was once the most beloved little princess of the Nanyan Dynasty. Now she seemed like a little hungry ghost.
Gu An didn't compete with them. He sat on one side, occasionally sipping some clear wine and watching.
It took a long time for them to calm down.
"Miss Ji, how did you end up in conflict with the people from Wangyue Pavilion?" Gu An asked when he saw that they had almost finished eating.
Ji Yunxi was very surprised. She didn't expect Gu An to know about Wangyue Pavilion. "How do you know that we have a feud with Wangyue Pavilion?"
"I think it's more than just a feud, right?" Gu An put down what was in his hand. "Previously, Qinshe Valley had trade relations with Wangyue Pavilion, so I'm quite familiar with them. Naturally, I've also heard some news."
Ji Yunxi nodded in understanding. "It seems that bad news travels fast. It's just that we have some old and new grudges with the master of Wangyue Pavilion."
Gu An's eyes gradually turned cold. For him now, Ji Yunxi was Gu Yunxi. Anyone who had a grudge against her was an enemy of Qinshe Valley!
"I see."
Ji Yunxi said, "Qinshe Valley doesn't need to get involved in our affairs. Just do your business as usual. Wangyue Pavilion is extremely vengeful. If they find out, they might make things difficult for you."
Gu An laughed, "I'm not afraid of these lackeys."
Ji Yunxi and Feng Xingzhi looked at each other and knew that Gu An wasn't joking.
Suddenly thinking of something, she took out a token from her bosom and handed it to Gu An.
Gu An took it and saw that there was a character "Jiang" on it. It was the token of the master of Menghua Pavilion. "This is..."
Ji Yunxi explained, "I'm the current master of Menghua Pavilion. You can take this. If you have something to do, you can go to any branch of Menghua Pavilion. They will help you."
Gu An smiled after hearing this. "Then I'll accept it. Since it's only proper to reciprocate, Pavilion Master Ji has given me such a great gift. Naturally, I should give something in return."
Then he turned around and left. A moment later, he appeared in front of everyone with a wooden box in his hand. He opened the box, and inside was a jade token.
"This is the jade token of our Qinshe Valley. With this, you can use it in any shop in Qinshe Valley and can freely mobilize the manpower and weapons of Qinshe Valley."
Ji Yunyi exclaimed in a low voice, "My God! This is Qinshe Valley! All these weapons are top - quality!"
There was uncontrollable surprise on his face.
Li Jiuge also echoed, "That's right! Thank you so much, Valley Master, for your help!"
Qing Xuan stood on one side with his arms folded. Watching them being happy because they got the weapons from Qinshe Valley, he suddenly thought of that arrogant young man who always quarreled with him and couldn't help laughing.
Ji Yuchen looked at him curiously. "Qing Xuan, what's wrong?"
Qing Xuan held back his smile. "I just thought of Lu Shu. Fortunately, he's not here now. Otherwise, he would definitely compete with Valley Master Gu."
Gu An was also intrigued. "Lu Shu... I remember he's the chief steward of Menghua Pavilion, right?"
"That's right."
"What does he want to compete with me for?"
Ji Yunxi glanced at Qing Xuan and immediately understood what he was going to say. She shook her head helplessly.
Qing Xuan laughed, "Naturally, it's to compete with you to see who can be more helpful to the master."
Hearing this, everyone laughed. Even Feng Xingzhi, who had been in a bad mood, showed a smile. It was really because Lu Shu's jealous image was too deep - rooted.
Li Jiuge teased him, "Qing Xuan, you only remember Lu Shu! You're just bullying him when he's not around. Then who do you think is more helpful to Yunxi?"
Qing Xuan immediately puffed out his chest proudly. "Naturally, it's me!"
As soon as he said this, even Ji Yunxi herself couldn't help it. "Yes, yes, yes..."
"Your so - called help is just coming to ask for reinforcements and getting yourself trapped on the way?" Ji Yunyi mercilessly mocked.
Gu An also looked a bit embarrassed. "Hey, about this matter, I..."
"Valley Master, don't take it to heart. This barrier isn't that simple. The people inside can't open it." Ji Yunxi explained with a smile. "This barrier should have been set up long ago. Who would have known that this guy Qing Xuan didn't notice it when he went in."