Chapter 580: Chapter 580: Teacher, Don’t You Want Your Beloved Disciple Anymore?

If the facts have already happened, then they are real.

Watching Gongliang Liao and Qi Xian leave Qin Yao’s house and return to the Lotus Courtyard, Zhen Yubai, who had been quietly observing the movements, also set off for the Lotus Courtyard.

Without the obstruction of the high courtyard walls, he only needed to lift his leg to enter.

But today he wanted to enter through the main gate and have a proper talk with Gongliang Liao.

The blood on the ground in front of the Lotus Courtyard had already been cleaned up by Shi Tou and others, and all the horses that were taken were tied in the back courtyard. Due to the narrow space, which could only accommodate their own horses, these exceptional horses from outside had to settle for being tied to the big trees near the stable.

In the windy and snowy night, even the strongest horses couldn’t withstand it. It was midnight now, and they were still restlessly making all sorts of noises.

Zhen Yubai’s hand, just raised to knock on the door, was scared back by an angry neigh from a horse.

Once he realized the sound was from the horse, he helplessly gave a self-deprecating laugh. Thinking back on what happened here during the day still made his heart flutter.

Zhen Yubai steadied himself and once again raised his hand to knock on the Lotus Courtyard door.

The door quickly opened, catching him off guard. Stunned for two seconds, Zhen Yubai followed Ah Gu, who came to lead the way, to Gongliang Liao’s bedroom.

It was his first time coming openly, and he noticed for the first time all the carefully designed details in the Lotus Courtyard for the disabled.

Although the Crown Prince Mansion is indeed more luxurious and exquisite than this mountain village courtyard, the care for the master here is not even a fraction of that.

Zhen Yubai thought, no wonder the master was unwilling to go back. If it were him, having such a courtyard in this peaceful mountain village, he wouldn’t want to leave even if the king himself came.

One must admit, there was a reason why the White Crane Sect sent Zhen Yubai here.

Zhen Yubai has a strong sense of empathy and a naturally powerful intuition. Just as he began to speak in front of Gongliang Liao, the old man’s undisguised dislike on his face eased a bit.

"Master, Lord He indeed acted rashly. But the situation is increasingly urgent now; it concerns the stability of the country and the peace of the nation. It’s out of concern that Lord He acted impulsively."

"Back then, when Lord He followed the Crown Prince to the west to eliminate the barbarians, they encountered danger on the way. It was the then-Crown Prince, your son, who saved his life. Since then, Lord He has discarded his own life, adhering to the Crown Prince’s wishes, wishing only to serve the people tirelessly, risking his life and limb..."

Reminiscing about the past is undoubtedly the key point most effective in bridging the relationship with these old men, who had once achieved success and fame together, like Gongliang Liao.

Seeing Gongliang Liao’s cold and hard expression ease somewhat, Zhen Yubai continued to express emotions and reason with him, speaking from Gongliang Liao’s perspective about his grievances and anger, as well as expressing his helplessness as a minor figure.

"Master, if you do not return, the two hundred or so people in the village, the Qi Family guards, and your favorite young disciple Liu Ji’s family..."

Zhen Yubai sighed heavily. Although he didn’t continue to speak about the retaliation they would face, his expression had conveyed the message clearly.

Seeing that Gongliang Liao still remained silent, Zhen Yubai let out another heavy sigh, stepped forward and stood before Gongliang Liao, taking out a letter he did not originally intend to present, and handed it over with both hands.

"Master, if you are still hesitant, please take a look at this letter. It’s late at night, and I dare not continue to disturb you, so I will take my leave first."

After a deep bow, Zhen Yubai got up and left.

Gongliang Liao lowered his eyes to look at the letter in his hand. As soon as the four large characters "To Master Personally" caught his eye, Gongliang Liao felt an intense irritation and disdainfully tossed the letter onto the table, refusing to look at it.

However, his hand, resting on the wheel, remained immobile. He stayed frozen for an unknown amount of time, or perhaps only a brief moment passed like the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, before it seemed he gave up resistance and grabbed the letter from the table.

...

Meanwhile, after sending off his master and senior apprentice brother, Liu Ji, who had already been reminded by Yin Le that he might have angered the Martial Lady badly, endured a night without the scolding and beating from his wife that he expected. Instead, he received a message from the Lotus Courtyard.

Shi Tou, offering a respectful bow to Qin Yao and Liu Ji at the main seat, opened his mouth to speak:

"Madam, Mr. Ji, our young master and teacher have decided to set off for the Capital City in three days!"

"What?!" Liu Ji nearly jumped out of the Taishi Chair.

Shi Tou repeated helplessly: "The teacher said that in three days, they will return to the Capital, and the young master, not at ease, decided to follow the teacher back to the Capital City."

Liu Ji instinctively rolled up his sleeves, pointed towards the direction of the school, and questioned: "Are those black crows bothering the teacher again? It seems my lady was too soft yesterday; she should have just chopped off their heads!"

Shi Tou’s temples throbbed twice, seeing Liu Ji’s thug-like stance ready to cut someone down. He hurried to explain:

"Mr. Ji misunderstands. The White Crane and others have not shown up since they left yesterday. The master’s departure is not because they did anything."

"Then why?" Liu Ji could not accept it, his voice unconsciously rising, "Tell me, why?!"

Shi Tou couldn’t handle it, quickly casting a pleading glance toward Qin Yao, appearing weak, pitiful, and helpless!

Receiving the signal, Qin Yao gave Shi Tou an apologetic smile. The next second, her expression changed as she kicked Liu Ji on the butt.

This warning-filled kick instantly cleared Liu Ji’s chaotic mind a lot.

Not wanting anyone to see his embarrassing look of pain with outsiders present, he resisted the urge to howl, embarrassedly patting Shi Tou’s arm, "Go on, what else did the teacher say?"

Shi Tou awkwardly removed Liu Ji’s hand, looked towards Qin Yao, "The teacher said he really liked the bacon steward Ah Wang cured and hopes to take some back to the Capital. Madam, would it be convenient?"

Qin Yao called Mrs. Li in, asking how much bacon was already available at home.

Mrs. Li replied, "Madam, there are only two strips left, and they’re from last year’s curing, but it’s almost time for the twelfth month. By then, we can buy more meat to continue curing."

Mrs. Li glanced at Shi Tou, guessing that it might be the Lotus Courtyard asking for bacon, which is why the lady asked. She added:

"If we can wait, tomorrow when we go into town, we can preorder a whole pig from the butcher to have it brought back. At the fastest, it will be ready to cure in about half a month."

Shi Tou sighed; they couldn’t wait that long.

Qin Yao thought for a moment and said, "Here’s what we’ll do, Shi Tou. You take these two strips from home first, so the teacher can have a taste on the way. Once the rest is cured, I’ll have someone bring it to the Capital City. What do you think?"

Shi Tou was overjoyed, undoubtedly filled with gratitude, and immediately agreed, "Thank you, Madam."

Qin Yao shook her head, signaling him not to be polite.

Seeing Liu Ji fidgeting impatiently, Qin Yao had Mrs. Li fetch the two pieces of bacon from home and personally took them with Shi Tou to the Lotus Courtyard.

Just as they were about to enter, Liu Ji, feeling aggrieved, shouted loudly:

"Teacher! How can you just leave like this? Don’t you want your dear disciple anymore!"

Shi Tou shuddered, feeling awkward.

Qin Yao: "Please pardon us."

She quickly covered a certain someone’s mouth, dragging him into the courtyard by the head.