“How could this be possible?” the pavilion master pointed at the jade tablet, his hand trembling uncontrollably, his expression terrified.
“It’s fake, definitely fake!”
As soon as he said that, he recalled what Elder Liu had described about the previous incidents and abruptly stopped speaking.
It’s real! The words echoed in his mind, causing him to feel dizzy and disoriented. At the same time, he began to notice Li Jiaying, who was being held by Li Tan, and vague memories surfaced. He seemed to remember this girl, as if he had seen her somewhere before. Right, it was the day after the recruitment meeting! The pavilion master finally recognized Li Jiaying and recalled the rare ancient book he held, which had long been extinct. He was so frightened that he took two steps back.
“Pavilion Master?”
“What are you doing?”
“Why are you staring over there?
There’s nothing but thieves,” said the disciples, as Li Tan had immediately put away the jade tablet. Most of those who had followed Pavilion Master Mo Yang were disciples with little knowledge, unable to recognize the identity jade tablet of Zuo Qingspring. Thus, they were utterly confused at the moment.
“Silence! Don’t speak nonsense. What are you all crowding here for? Disperse immediately and inform the kitchen to prepare a banquet for an esteemed guest.”
The pavilion master commanded fiercely.
The disciples were even more confused, completely unaware of the current situation.
Why prepare a banquet? Who is this esteemed guest anyway? Could it possibly be Li Tan?
Though puzzled, the pavilion master still exuded great authority, and no one dared to oppose his orders, so they left one after another.
“But Pavilion Master, he broke in illegally and even injured me and—” Liu Chang, who had come along smugly expecting to see Li Tan punished, was left speechless and stunned.
“You too, go back,” the pavilion master said with a dark expression.
Elder Liu was about to argue, but the pavilion master shot him a fierce glare, scaring him so much that he immediately slunk away.
Li Jiaying looked at the scene in amazement, her mouth wide enough to fit an egg.
Sure enough, Li Tan-gege is the best! The little girl happily nestled her head against Li Tan’s chest.
“What does the senior mean by this?
Are you dismissing them to prevent the upcoming bloody scene from frightening your disciples?
What a considerate senior you are, truly caring for your students meticulously.”
Li Tan sarcastically remarked as he coldly watched the others leave.
The pavilion master awkwardly smiled, “Well, I didn’t—”
“Enough,” Li Tan interrupted. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. Let’s discuss how to resolve this matter now. Last time, I deliberately had Ying’er bring such a precious ancient book to seek apprenticeship, yet you accepted the book but treated her this way.”
“Unfair! I couldn’t clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River.”
“You were already covered in filth; it wouldn’t help wherever you jumped. Now, give me a reasonable explanation, or I won’t let this go today!”
Li Tan spoke decisively, leaving no room for negotiation. If Li Jiaying had merely been pushed into the servant disciple role, he might have been willing to negotiate calmly. But after today’s incident, he could no longer stay calm. In fact, if not restricted by his strength, the Endless Pavilion would already have suffered. He had never been a kind-hearted person.
“Pavilion Master, how would you feel if your daughter had been bullied and nearly violated?”
Li Tan added.
Putting himself in the pavilion master’s position, he realized the seriousness of the situation. Thinking about Li Tan’s vague yet terrifying identity, sweat began to form on his forehead.
“I handled this matter improperly. I will ensure your sister is properly cared for in the future to make up for her past suffering. We are not worthy of that book, so we will return it to you.”
Li Tan shook his head gently. “Since the book has been given to you, there’s no need to return it. However, everyone involved in today’s incident must be dealt with thoroughly. I will leave soon and hope that nothing happens to Ying’er when I come back next time. Do you understand?”
“Understood! I will handle my sister’s matter tomorrow—no, today. A banquet has been arranged to entertain you. Please come with me.”
The pavilion master was extremely respectful.
Li Tan glanced at him indifferently. “No need. I came only to see Ying’er.”
“Alright, I’ll leave first then. I’m sorry for today’s offense,” the pavilion master nervously stepped back.
After the pavilion master had gone far away, Li Jiaying immediately asked with a tearful voice, “Is my brother leaving again?”
“Yeah.”
“When can you come back?”
Perhaps never again. Perhaps this was a permanent farewell.
How could he bear to say such words to this little girl?
His heart ached, and he lied, “As soon as I finish the matters in the capital, I will come back to see you immediately.”
“Really?”
“Really!”
Li Jiaying managed a slight smile on her face, “You have to keep your promise!”
Li Tan nodded, “Of course.”
“Then can I stay with my brother forever from now on?”
“Foolish girl, you can stay as long as you want, until you get tired of it.”
“I won’t get tired. Let’s make a pinky promise.”
Li Jiaying hooked her little finger with Li Tan’s little finger, “You have to say it with me!”
“Okay.”
Li Tan followed Li Jiaying’s lead and recited together, “Together we’ll stay, together we’ll stay, a hundred years we’ll stay. If one dies at ninety-seven, wait three years on the Naihe Bridge.”
After releasing their fingers, Li Tan smiled and asked, “Where did you learn this?”
Li Jiaying pouted, “It’s a secret.”
“A secret, huh? Then I won’t ask. But I won’t wait for you on the Naihe Bridge.”
Li Tan made a joke to lighten the mood.
But Li Jiaying didn’t show any sign of amusement. She held Li Tan’s clothes tightly, slightly lowering her head, “It’s okay.”
“What?”
Li Tan was somewhat puzzled.
Li Jiaying softly said, “I will definitely wait for my brother.”
Li Tan’s expression slightly changed. His fingertips tingled with a slight sourness as he gently patted Li Jiaying’s head and softly said, “Fool, I was just joking.”
“You’re a bad brother! Whenever you joke, I always use that tone to tease you, but now she didn’t react at all.”
Li Tan became somewhat worried, “Ying’er, what’s wrong with you? Is there something you’re hiding from your brother?”
“Nothing.”
“Really?”
“When have I ever lied to my brother?”
“Hmm, you’ve never lied to me before.”
“Exactly. Don’t talk about this anymore. Can my brother accompany me around before you leave?”
“Of course.”
Li Jiaying tightly held Li Tan’s hand and wandered around the Endless Pavilion.
She pointed upwards and said, “That’s the outer sect. Further up is the inner sect. I’ve only been to the outer sect once, and it was so beautiful. I heard the inner sect is above the clouds, just like my immortal palace.”
“Ying’er will soon get to know the inside of the immortal palace.”
“Really?”
“Yes, truly. Once you break through to the Xiantian stage, you can ascend.”
They wandered around until the sun was setting, then reluctantly bid each other farewell.
“Goodbye!”
Li Tan turned back from afar and waved.
“Goodbye, brother!”
Li Jiaying shouted with a beaming smile.
Soon, Li Tan left, and as he looked back, he could no longer see Li Jiaying’s figure. Many years later, whenever he recalled this day, he would feel heartache and immense regret. If only he had been more careful, more patient, and stayed a little longer at that time, perhaps the outcome would have been different.
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