Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 361 Ye Shuyun's "Peach Blossom Debt"?
Coincidentally, apart from the Jade Void Sect, other martial arts sects invited to the White Stone Immortal Sect to observe the sect competition also fell into the dilemma of "whether to switch to cultivating immortality" and "when to switch to cultivating immortality." For a time, the entire martial arts world was in an uproar.

However, none of this affected the White Stone Immortal Sect.

The White Stone Immortal Sect, having dispersed its various factions and forces, had once again fallen into tranquility.

But today, things are getting a bit lively.

The reason is that a woman actually came to the White Stone Immortal Sect with a child in her arms and sought refuge with Ye Shuyun!

"What?! What did you say?! That child is actually Third Senior Brother's?!"

"Third Senior Brother is so busy every day, how did he even have time to have a baby?!"

"It's not like he's going to carry it!"

"Based on the calculations, that child should have been conceived by the third senior brother before he entered the sect. Ugh, he gave birth and then didn't take responsibility! What a scumbag!"

"Tsk! I never thought my third senior brother could get into such a mess of romantic entanglements!"

……

Everyone in the White Stone Immortal Sect was extremely curious about this, after all, Ye Shuyun was a very upright and honorable person, and he didn't seem like the kind of father who would let a woman give birth to a child and then not take responsibility for it.

"cousin!"

Inside the welcoming hall, Lin Fengxian, holding an infant still in swaddling clothes, knelt and bowed pitifully to Ye Shuyun and the others.

"This child..."

Ye Shuyun asked, somewhat dumbfounded.

He was certain, of course, that the child was not his, but he never imagined that Lin Fengxian, a lady from a respectable family, would come to him with a baby!
Before the question could even leave her lips, Lin Fengxian choked back tears and said, "This child... is 'his'..."

"he"!?

Ye Shuyun was taken aback at first, but then quickly realized what was going on.

The "he" in question likely refers to Lin Fengxian's unmarried fiancé, who passed away last year.

But I never expected my cousin to be so devoted, willing to ruin her own reputation just to leave behind a child for that man...

Ye Shuyun couldn't help but sigh, and her eyes filled with sympathy as she looked at Lin Fengxian.

“Cousin, I don’t want to trouble you, but I really have nowhere else to go. After Father died, Mother kicked me out of the Lin family. I really have no other choice…”

As she spoke, Lin Fengxian started crying again, her eyes red and tears falling like pearls from a broken string. Even the light streaming in from the window perfectly outlined the contours of her face, making her look incredibly pitiful.

Ye Shuyun sighed softly again and comforted her, "Well, you can stay here for now. But after all, Baishi Mountain is where the Baishi Immortal Sect is located, so it's not appropriate to keep you here. But don't worry, the Ye family has a place to stay at the foot of the mountain. I'll have someone prepare a courtyard for you. Please make do with it for now..."

Lin Fengxian was born into the Lin family, and she and Ye Shuyun were indeed cousins ​​in a roundabout way.

However, Lin Fengxian and Ye Shuyun were not familiar with each other. This "cousin" had always lived a secluded life since childhood. It was only said that she was betrothed to the young master of the Wu family in her early years. Unfortunately, the young master of the Wu family was unlucky and had always been in poor health, so the marriage was never finalized. Until last year, the young master of the Wu family finally succumbed to his illness and passed away.

He didn't even live to see the legend of the "White Stone Immortal" reach that place before he died; otherwise, he might have had a chance to seek the "elixir of immortality" to prolong his life...

What would I do there? I'd like to go to my place!

As the two were talking, Murong Ruyan hurriedly entered the hall.

Her eyes initially held scrutiny and hostility as she carefully examined Lin Fengxian before softening her expression. She then said, "My place is under the regulations of a princess's residence, isn't it much more comfortable than your Ye family's? And there are many more people to serve you. A woman should be well taken care of after giving birth. Can you even muster that many people?"

Murong Ruyan, who was equally skilled—or rather, formerly skilled at using the weapons that women naturally possess—saw Lin Fengxian's odd behavior at a glance.

First of all, she certainly wouldn't believe that the child was Ye Shuyun's.

After all, as her senior sister, she knew Ye Shuyun's character all too well, even though they had only known each other for a year.

So, it's hard to say that this "cousin's" sudden visit and her manner were entirely without ulterior motives.

Since there's a purpose behind it, it needs to be kept under close watch. Otherwise, with the eldest brother being so foolish, the third brother being so soft-hearted, the fifth brother being so dense, and the sixth brother who hasn't even grown his hair yet, who could withstand such a woman's methods?
As for the master...

Hmph, Master is so indifferent to everything, how could I bother him with such trivial matters!
Moreover, this Lin Fengxian is not just beautiful, she's definitely not a good person!

Murong Ruyan muttered a lot to herself, but showed no sign of it on her face. Instead, she eagerly stepped forward and grabbed Lin Fengxian's wrist, adding, "Since you are my third junior brother's cousin, you are naturally my cousin too! My imperial brother has specially left several experienced palace maids at my estate, so you will not suffer any hardship in your daily life!"

These words quite moved Ye Shuyun.

Although he didn't want to trouble his second senior sister, the palace maids would certainly be more experienced in taking care of women.

The Ye family had only recently settled down at the foot of Baishi Mountain, and their servants and attendants were not yet properly settled. If arrangements were made hastily, my cousin would likely suffer some injustice.

"No! No need! No need!"

Lin Fengxian initially refused in a flustered manner, but then, meeting Murong Ruyan's probing gaze, she smiled gently and explained, "It's already wrong of me to trouble my cousin, how could I dare to bother the princess any further..."

"Princess, you are the precious daughter of the Xiao Kingdom. How could you trouble yourself with such trivial matters? I hope you will not take my affairs to heart..."

Murong Ruyan sneered inwardly, but on the surface she still "kindly" advised, "It's alright, I never stay at the manor anyway, you can stay here without worry!"

"No, no, no, if I had known, I shouldn't have come... Cousin..."

Lin Fengxian put on a tearful expression again, and the baby in her arms suddenly pouted and burst into tears.

Lin Fengxian gently rocked the baby to sleep, her brow furrowed and her face filled with worry. She said, "Cousin, I shouldn't even bother the Ye family, how can I trouble the princess? If, if I could build a hut near where you live, I would raise Bao'er and then go with my husband... Waaah, cousin, that woman from the Lin family will never let me go. If we were outside, I'm afraid Bao'er would die with me too, waaah..."

In the end, Lin Fengxian started crying again.

The "woman from the Lin family" she referred to was Lin Fengxian's stepmother, who was Lin Fengxian's father's second wife.

This person has always been mean-spirited, but because of her noble birth as a member of the Chu royal family, even Lin Fengxian's father couldn't say anything against her.

When Lin's father was still alive, Lin Fengxian could still receive some protection. Now that her father has passed away, I'm afraid Lin Fengxian's life under her stepmother's care will not be easy.

but……

"This, cousin, it's not that I'm unwilling, it's just that I live in the courtyard of the White Stone Immortal Sect disciples, and outsiders are not allowed to live there. Otherwise, I would give the courtyard to you!" Ye Shuyun was in a difficult position regarding Lin Fengxian's request. Although he explained gently, Lin Fengxian was still sobbing, which left him feeling helpless.

“Hehe, how about this, junior brother,” Murong Ruyan chuckled, gently patted Lin Fengxian’s wrist, and suggested again, “Why don’t we let Miss Lin stay in the guest courtyard? I will take care of all her food and lodging. As fellow girls, it will be more convenient for your senior sister than for you.”

Murong Ruyan certainly didn't want to get involved in this trouble, but she didn't want a ticking time bomb hidden in her sect even more!

Only by observing closely can you figure out what this woman is up to!
Who but a man would believe such nonsense as, "I had nowhere else to go but to seek refuge with Ye Shuyun"?

Ye Shuyun thought about it for a moment and did not raise any objections.

The guest quarters in the sect were originally provided for visiting guests. In fact, many more were added in preparation for the sect's grand competition. Now that the various sects have left, they are all empty, making it quite appropriate for Lin Fengxian to stay there.

As for food and daily life, it's just a matter of spending some spirit stones, so it's not a big deal.

Thinking of this, Ye Shuyun asked softly, "Cousin, what do you think?"

Lin Fengxian raised her head slightly, her eyes filled with dependence and fear as she looked at Ye Shuyun. She asked softly, "Guest, is the guest also on White Stone Mountain?"

Ye Shuyun nodded and replied, "It's to the west, not far from Lingxiao Palace."

Lin Fengxian bit her lip, tears clinging to her eyelashes. She glanced cautiously at Ye Shuyun and asked, "Cousin, is your place far from the guest courtyard?"

Ye Shuyun replied again: "It's not far, just to the north of the guest house."

Lin Fengxian immediately showed a hint of surprise, then quickly lowered her head, first curtsied, and then whispered, "In that case, I'll trouble you, cousin. I'll try my best not to cause you any trouble..."

Ye Shuyun smiled reassuringly, deliberately keeping a few inches' distance from Lin Fengxian, and said as she led the way, "Don't worry, I'll take you there and settle you in first. If you need anything, I'll get it for you."

Murong Ruyan watched this spectacle unfold, inwardly sneering, but remained silent, offering comfort with a warm heart: "Miss Lin, there's no need to worry. The guest quarters are usually empty, so you can rest and recuperate peacefully. If you prefer any of the courtyards, feel free to choose!"

"I can't accept this. I'm already incredibly grateful that my cousin took me in. How could I possibly make any more demands..."

“It’s alright. Although the matriarch of the Lin family has some biases in her actions, you are still a young lady of the Lin family. Naturally, I cannot let you go out on your own. This is also my responsibility as your cousin…”

……

The three of them walked to the guest courtyard. Just as Murong Ruyan had said, after the sect competition ended, the guest courtyard, which was usually bustling with activity, was now unusually quiet, with only a few paper puppets responsible for cleaning and sweeping working silently.

Ye Shuyun chose a relatively secluded but well-viewed courtyard for Lin Fengxian. It was located halfway up the mountain, and by opening the window, one could overlook the entire front square of the White Stone Immortal Sect, and even the Lingxiao Palace and the towering [Floating Pagoda] in the distance could be seen.

Murong Ruyan, meanwhile, "enthusiastically" directed the paper puppets to clean the bedding, incense, and other items.

Actually, this place had already been cleaned up when the previous group of guests left, but for some unknown reason, Murong Ruyan deliberately performed hand seals and spells in front of Lin Fengxian, cleaning the entire room again before clapping her hands lightly and saying with a smile, "Alright! Miss Lin, please settle in here for now. If you need anything, you can send a paper puppet to inform me. Don't stand on ceremony!"

Lin Fengxian, holding the baby, nodded timidly, but her gaze kept following Ye Shuyun almost imperceptibly: "Thank you, cousin, thank you, Your Highness. Xian'er... I understand."

Murong Ruyan smiled brightly, stepped forward, and seemingly affectionately took Lin Fengxian's arm, but in reality, she exerted a slight force with her fingertips and said in an unquestionable manner, "Miss Lin, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Ruyan."

"Since you're new here, there are a few things I need to remind you of."

"The plaza in front of the White Stone Immortal Sect is open to outsiders, but once you pass the Lingxiao Hall, that's where the sect's disciples reside. Outsiders are not allowed to enter lightly. Therefore, the sect has set up many restrictions to prevent thieves. Miss Lin, please be careful not to take the wrong path. Some of these restrictions are specifically designed for cultivators and are extremely dangerous. With your mortal body, you might lose half your life. Please be very careful!"

Upon hearing this, a fleeting, almost imperceptible shadow crossed Lin Fengxian's eyes, but her face remained that of a gentle and grateful woman: "Xian'er remembers, I will definitely not leave the guest courtyard!"

Ye Shuyun, standing to the side, glanced at her second senior sister with some confusion—

When did the sect set up restrictions? How come he didn't know?
But then I thought about it again, and it was probably because the second senior sister was afraid that her cousin would run around, that she scared her like that.

While Ye Shuyun found it amusing, she didn't expose him. Instead, she smiled and said, "There's no need to take it to heart. If you're bored in your spare time, you can take a stroll around the area in front of Lingxiao Palace. There's a market there where most of the things sold require spirit stones, but some can be bought with gold and silver. I have some spirit stones and flowers here, cousin, use them first. If you need more, just have the paper puppet send a message."

As Ye Shuyun spoke, she took a Qiankun bag from her waist, took out a few spirit stones and put them into another Qiankun bag, then handed it to Lin Fengxian.

Lin Fengxian feigned great alarm and repeatedly refused, saying, "How can this be! Xian'er has already been a burden to her cousin, how can she accept any more spirit stones or expenses..."

Murong Ruyan glanced at Lin Fengxian's hand, which, though seemingly refusing, wasn't exerting any force, and curled the corners of her lips, agreeing, "Don't worry, as the sect leader's personal disciples, we have plenty of money! Just take it and use it!"

Since both of them said so, Lin Fengxian couldn't refuse any longer. So, she took the Qiankun bag, hesitated for a moment, and asked softly, "Xian'er thanks her cousin and the princess, but... but how should this celestial treasure be used?"

Ye Shuyun patiently instructed, "This thing can open and close on its own. Just open it like a regular purse."

Murong Ruyan tilted her head slightly and said, seemingly casually, "Miss Lin has good knowledge; you actually recognized this as a Qiankun bag!"

Lin Fengxian's fingers, which were trying to open the Qiankun bag, paused almost imperceptibly for a moment, but then she softly replied, "Since my cousin has become a disciple of the immortals, he is naturally worlds apart from a mortal like me. The things he uses must also be immortal treasures. That's why I asked..."

"Miss Lin, there's no need to be sad. The future is uncertain."

Murong Ruyan offered a perfunctory word of comfort, then turned to Ye Shuyun and said, "Third Junior Brother, now that Miss Lin is settled, we won't disturb her rest any longer. Besides, sect affairs are busy, so you should go back too."

Ye Shuyun had no intention of staying long anyway, so upon hearing this, she nodded and said, "Cousin, you should rest well. I'll come to see you again later."

Lin Fengxian quickly said, "Cousin, you have important matters to attend to, so don't worry about me."

After speaking, she held the child, slightly bent her knees, and watched Ye Shuyun and Murong Ruyan leave the courtyard.

The gentle smile on Lin Fengxian's face gradually faded only after the two figures disappeared outside the courtyard gate.

She carried the baby back into the house and gently closed the door.

Only she and the baby in her arms remained in the room. The baby had stopped crying at some point, and its big, dark eyes were wide open, seemingly able to see through people's hearts. It was also unusually quiet.

Lin Fengxian walked to the window, looked at the stiff paper puppet in the courtyard outside, and a strange smile appeared on her lips.

"White Stone Immortal Sect... Ye Shuyun..."

She murmured to herself for a moment, her eyes no longer showing any trace of her previous pitiful appearance. Then she leaned closer to the baby in her arms, her red lips slightly parted, and said in a voice almost inaudible, "Master, I have entered the White Stone Immortal Sect as you said, but there are paper puppets guarding the courtyard, so I'm afraid I won't be able to leave easily."

"Wait……"

An old and weak voice came from the baby's mouth, barely perceptible.

"Disciple understands..."

(End of this chapter)