Chapter 127: LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION

Fu Hanzheng smiled and leaned back in his chair. Looking at Anyu, he could not help but recall many years ago.

"He used to hold my hand all the time, and he liked eating jujuberries every day. Anyu had such big, round cheeks when he was young. His hands were so small that he could not even hold a sword properly. Now he is a man, and all those childish features are gone. Time really does pass quickly."

Anyu’s face turned slightly red. He was already in his twenties and could no longer be considered the little boy who once depended on his Master for everything. He could now stand on his own as a cultivator and handle sect matters by himself, yet hearing his Master talk about his childhood in front of his Junior Brother still made him feel embarrassed.

"Master, you do not need to be sad," Anyu said. He lowered his head and looked at the teacup in his hands. "I will not marry. I will always stay by Master’s side. Moreover, you now have Yanyan to take care of. With two disciples, Master’s courtyard will be more lively in the future."

Fu Hanzheng looked at Li Yan before his gaze returned to Anyu. His expression softened a lot when he heard those words. He raised his hand and patted Anyu’s shoulder.

"You are already old enough to start your own life. Master should not tie you down."

"This disciple is willing to be tied down," Anyu answered immediately, his voice firm.

Fu Hanzheng laughed and shook his head. He then turned to Li Yan.

"Yanyan is also growing up every day. Before I can even blink, he will be all grown up as well. At that time, I wonder who will be the one to take care of whom."

Li Yan smiled as he listened to them. It was nice to have a Senior Brother who cared so much about their Master. The relationship between them did not look like a normal Master and Disciple at all, but more like a father and son. In the Apothecary Hall, there were many Masters and Disciples who only had a polite relationship, but his Master and Senior Brother were different. They truly treated each other like family.

The mention of growing up reminded Li Yan of the egg inside his interspatial space.

The egg was quiet, but Li Yan could feel a faint vitality coming from it. Ever since he brought it back from the mountain, it had not shown any sign of hatching, but the spiritual energy around it was getting stronger.

He still had not told his Master about it.

He did not think his Master would harm the egg, but he did not know what would happen after it hatched. A demonic lizard was not a normal demonic beast. If the elders in the sect found out, they would definitely not let him keep it. It was safer to keep it a secret between him and Xiaoxiao until he understood the situation clearly.

"Xiaoxiao, tell me what happened in detail later," Li Yan said in his mind.

"I understand," Xiaoxiao replied in a low voice. "But Master, this place is not safe to talk about it. Let us talk tonight."

Li Yan nodded inwardly. He picked up another piece of rice cake and continued eating as if nothing had happened. The rice cake was sweet and soft, but he was a little absent-minded while eating.

Fu Hanzheng did not notice Li Yan’s thoughts. He only thought Li Yan was tired from his recent studies.

"Eat more if you like it," Fu Hanzheng said kindly. "Anyu brought many back from town."

"Thank you, Master," Li Yan said.

At the same time, on the mountain path outside the sect.

Gu Jun was already on his way back to the sect.

The mission had ended, and the outer disciples he was traveling with had started their return journey. Gu Jun walked along the mountain road with his sword at his waist, from time to time looking back to make sure the others were keeping up. His clothes were still dusty from the mission, and there was a small cut on his sleeve, but he did not care.

As the sect grew closer, Gu Jun could not help but think of Li Yan.

He had left without telling him. At that time, the mission had been assigned too suddenly. The Outer Hall Elder had called them over early in the morning and told them to set off immediately. There had been no time to find Li Yan, and Gu Jun had thought the mission would be finished in two days. It was just escorting some herbs; it was not dangerous. He felt there was no need to make Li Yan worry.

Now that several days had passed, he began to feel that his decision was not very wise.

Li Yan would definitely have noticed that he was gone. Gu Jun knew Li Yan’s temper very well. On the surface, Li Yan looked easy to get along with, but if someone close to him left without saying a word, he would definitely be angry. He would first scold Gu Jun for leaving him behind, then ask if Gu Jun was injured, and if he had eaten well.

Thinking of this, Gu Jun could not help but smile. Li Yan had always been like this. He liked to nag, but he was actually very soft-hearted.

He had thought of using a communication jade slip to contact Li Yan midway, but he gave up in the end. If there was nothing serious, there was no need to make Li Yan worry for nothing. It would be better to return safely and explain face to face. He also prepared a small gift, a hairpin he bought from the town at the foot of the mountain. Li Yan would probably like it.

The mountain peaks around the sect slowly appeared through the mist. Seeing the familiar scenery, Gu Jun felt his tiredness lessen a bit. He had been away for many days, and he missed the days of following behind Li Yan in the Apothecary Hall.

A disciple behind him caught up and asked while panting, "Brother Gu, how much longer before we reach the sect? My legs are about to break."

Gu Jun looked ahead. The stone steps leading to the sect gate could already be seen. "We will arrive before nightfall. Just keep up, no need to rush."

The disciple nodded and went back to inform the others. The sect gate gradually appeared in front of them. The guards at the gate recognized them and opened the gate. Gu Jun’s steps became faster. After being away for so many days, the first thing he wanted to do was find Li Yan and tell him that he had returned.

He had no idea that during the time he was away, Li Yan had also left the sect.

He did not know about the rank nine demonic lizards. He did not know that Li Yan had collapsed after returning, nor did he know about the fever, the abnormality on Li Yan’s wrist, or the bloodline that had awakened inside his body.

Gu Jun simply walked through the sect gate with the others, dust on his shoulders, thinking about how to coax his Young Master after making him angry, completely unaware that Li Yan had just experienced a life-and-death situation.