Chapter 101

Chapter 101: Wan Huier’s Future

Hearing this name, Lou Yun felt the blood in his entire body run cold!

"Teacher Han?" Lou Yun murmured the name. He simply couldn’t believe that this Teacher Han, the one he respected and loved the most, and with whom he had the closest relationship, had pinned a false accusation on him!

However, he finally understood now. That was why Teacher Han Tianxiao had led everyone away from that town late that night and turned back towards Gu Feng Nation. He had already planned to frame Lou Yun! He was probably worried about lacking an opportunity, but Lou Yun and Wan Huier getting into a dispute while watching the commotion had conveniently given him the perfect chance!

Though there were still small details Lou Yun couldn’t quite figure out—like how Han Tianxiao had convinced Fang Yue, Cun Yan, and Liu Ruyan to give up searching for him and Wan Huier, and how he made them believe that Lou Yun had abducted Huier—these minor issues were no longer on Lou Yun’s mind.

Now, only one question occupied his thoughts: why would Han Tianxiao do this?

At that moment, Wan Huier suddenly spoke up, "Big Brother Lou, don’t worry. We’ll return to Gu Feng Nation right now. I’ll explain everything clearly to my father the King and the Emperor. It wasn’t you who abducted me; you took me away temporarily to protect me! It was that Han Tianxiao who framed you! They will surely believe me. Once that happens, you and your clan will be fine!"

This was indeed a solution. Lou Yun believed that as long as Wan Huier spoke, the Lou Family and he himself would be safe. But he looked at Wan Huier’s head, still wrapped in black cloth, and thought: he had gone to great lengths to bring her here, and now this mess had happened. If he really followed her suggestion and returned immediately to Gu Feng Nation, this entire trip would have been utterly wasted!

Yet, Lou Yun was genuinely worried about the safety of his clansmen and longed to return to Gu Feng Nation immediately. Thus, he found himself caught in a dilemma!

Granny Bai Cao didn’t speak. She had been observing the expressions and conversation between Lou Yun and Wan Huier. Moreover, hearing the name Han Tianxiao had given her a slight shock, as the Han family was also one of the Nine Clans, bound by the ancestral decree to kill everyone surnamed Lou. So, regarding this matter, she was now one hundred percent certain that Lou Yun had been framed!

After some thought, Granny Bai Cao spoke, "Neither of you should rush, especially you, Lou Yun. You being wanted isn’t a recent development; half a year has already passed. Even if you rush back now, what was meant to happen has already happened, and what wasn’t meant to happen won’t occur no matter how late you return."

She paused, then continued, "Moreover, I suspect your clansmen are likely unharmed. There are two major powers in Gu Feng Nation strongly supporting you!"

Lou Yun asked, puzzled, "Two major powers?"

"Yes," Granny Bai Cao confirmed. "One is naturally the Ancient Weapon Academy. You are, after all, considered Xia Guanqiu’s grandson-in-law. He naturally wouldn’t stand idly by and watch you come to harm. The other is the Liu family of the Spirit Weapon Sect. They also unanimously believe you wouldn’t commit such an act and specifically sent people to plead with the Imperial family on your behalf."

"Both the Ancient Weapon Academy and the Liu family are among the top-tier forces in Gu Feng Nation. Even the Imperial family wouldn’t dare offend them. Therefore, I believe with these two powers jointly vouching for you, your clansmen were likely just detained and haven’t suffered any major misfortune."

Hearing this, Lou Yun’s heart settled slightly. What Granny Bai Cao said was true. As a native of Gu Feng Nation, Lou Yun naturally knew the immense influence wielded by the Ancient Weapon Academy and the Spirit Weapon Sect.

Suddenly, Lou Yun slapped his own head hard. "That’s terrible!"

"What’s terrible now?" Granny Bai Cao asked.

Lou Yun looked at Wan Huier. "Brother Zuo and the others went to Gu Feng Nation!"

Granny Bai Cao didn’t understand who this ‘Brother Zuo’ was, but Wan Huier did. Lou Yun had asked Zuo Mingyang and Yi Jin Guan to seek refuge with the Lou Family, carrying a letter from him. Going there now would mean walking right into capture!

Thinking of this, Lou Yun grew anxious again. The heart he had just calmed a little instantly tightened. Though his intentions had been good, from others’ perspective, he had essentially pushed them straight into the fire!

Now Lou Yun was even more desperate to return to Gu Feng Nation. He looked at Wan Huier, then at Granny Bai Cao, finding himself once more facing a difficult choice.

Granny Bai Cao deliberately feigned annoyance. "What else are you hiding from me, you boy? What Brother Zuo? Judging by your expression, you want to leave again!"

Lou Yun hurriedly explained, "They trusted me as a friend and went to my Lou Family based on that trust. I can’t just stand by and watch them jump into a pit of fire!"

Granny Bai Cao appreciated Lou Yun’s strong sense of loyalty, but she didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she calculated the time before speaking. "Lou Yun, you’re still not mature and steady enough; you think too little. Think carefully. It’s been half a month since you parted ways with them and traveled all the way here to me. They must have long since entered Gu Feng Nation. As I said before, rushing back now would be useless."

"Furthermore," she added, "those two men—one endured decades for revenge, the other was a bandit leader for over ten years—their experience and resourcefulness far exceed yours. They should be able to sense something wrong and figure out a way to handle it. So, you don’t need to worry about them either!"

Lou Yun had to admit, experience comes with age. Granny Bai Cao’s perspective and insight were indeed far deeper than his own; it wasn’t just about intelligence.

"Alright!" Granny Bai Cao continued. "Lou Yun, set your matters aside for now. Since a little more time won’t make a difference, let’s first discuss the purpose of your visit!"

Lou Yun calmed down a bit and looked at Wan Huier. "I hope Granny can help my sister restore her former appearance!"

"Take off the cloth first," Granny Bai Cao instructed Wan Huier. "I need to see the extent of the burns. If I determine I can treat it, then we’ll discuss what comes next. If I can’t cure it, then any talk is pointless!"

Lou Yun nodded to Wan Huier. "Huier, let Granny see. It’s alright."

Wan Huier obediently removed the black cloth from her face. Granny Bai Cao examined it very carefully for a long time before saying, "It’s best you stop wearing that black cloth. Keeping your face wrapped up and unventilated isn’t good for the skin in the long run."

Hearing these words, Lou Yun’s heart stirred. Since Granny Bai Cao was giving such instructions to Wan Huier, it meant she must be confident she could heal her!

Lou Yun instantly became excited. "Granny, are you saying you can cure her?"

Granny Bai Cao shot him a sideways glance. "Nonsense! If I couldn’t cure her, would I tell her to take off the cloth?"

Her words made both Lou Yun and Wan Huier’s eyes light up simultaneously. However, before their excitement could fully ignite, Granny Bai Cao continued, "Don’t celebrate too soon. First, even if I can cure her, I still need several medicinal herbs. I can’t gather them all alone. Her injury has lingered for some time; we can’t afford to delay. And these herbs are located quite far away. So…"

Before she could finish, Lou Yun eagerly interjected, "Granny, I’ll gather them!"

Granny Bai Cao looked at Lou Yun and proceeded, "I haven’t finished. Second, I haven’t yet agreed to help restore her appearance!"

Lou Yun and Wan Huier exchanged a look. Lou Yun decided to reveal his true intention. "Granny, actually, before Huier was burned, I had already decided to bring her to you."

"Oh?"

Both Granny Bai Cao and Wan Huier were somewhat surprised by Lou Yun’s words and turned their gazes towards him.

Lou Yun continued, "You know, Huier’s real identity is a Princess. Her marriage into the Cang Lan Nation… there was another purpose to it…"

Next, Lou Yun detailed the mission Wan Huier bore. He concluded, "Granny, Huier is such a young girl, yet she became a pawn in political struggles. I couldn’t bear seeing her lose her freedom from then on. So, I thought then to bring her to you. To have her serve you, care for you, and become your disciple!"

"Moreover, given your status and position, even if the Sixth Prince finds out in the end, he absolutely wouldn’t dare to do anything to you. So, Huier would definitely be safest with you!"

Having said this, Lou Yun looked at Wan Huier again. "Huier, I didn’t mean to deceive you either. As your brother, I don’t want you to just follow your father’s will, to be a tool. I think you should have a life of your own!"

By now, Wan Huier was crying uncontrollably. Truthfully, she truly hadn’t imagined Lou Yun had thought this much for her. These were things she had never felt before!

This thing, actually, is called kinship! At least in Lou Yun’s heart, everything he did was based on treating Wan Huier as his real sister. That’s why he considered her well-being wholeheartedly.

Lou Yun gently patted Wan Huier’s back and said to Granny Bai Cao with utmost sincerity, "Granny, Huier really is a good girl. So young, yet for her father, she was willing to sacrifice her whole life’s freedom and happiness; to save a friend, she could disregard her own life. And she’s clever and docile. If she becomes your disciple, she will never disappoint you!"

Granny Bai Cao looked at Lou Yun, then at Wan Huier, suddenly curling her lips. "You speak quite well. But it’s just you talking this whole time. Your sister here hasn’t expressed her opinion yet!"

Hearing this, Lou Yun’s heart gave a jolt. He subtly applied pressure with his hand, giving Wan Huier a gentle push. Wan Huier was no fool; she knew exactly what to do. Using the momentum from Lou Yun’s push, she knelt down directly before Granny Bai Cao. "Granny, Huier also wishes to become your disciple. I hope you will agree, Granny!"

Granny Bai Cao was silent for a moment, then her face suddenly turned stern. "Since you’re kneeling to me, why are you still calling me ‘Granny’?"

This time, Wan Huier reacted quickly enough. She said respectfully, "Your disciple, Wan Huier, respectfully pays homage to Master!" After saying this, she respectfully kowtowed three times, her forehead touching the floor with audible thuds.

Despite Granny Bai Cao’s expression remaining stern and her voice cold just moments before, once Wan Huier completed the disciple greeting ritual, she hastily helped Wan Huier to her feet with both hands, pulling her into her embrace. A look of tenderness appeared on her face as she gently stroked Wan Huier’s hair. "Good disciple. Those past days must have been so hard on you. Don’t worry. From now on, following your Master, I promise no one will ever dare to bully you again!"

Granny Bai Cao had lived alone for many years. How could she not be lonely? She had long wanted to take a disciple, but just hadn’t found a suitable one. Today, seeing Wan Huier, especially that cup of tea, combined with Lou Yun’s story, had deeply satisfied her. In her heart, she had long since decided to accept Wan Huier as her disciple!

Hearing Granny Bai Cao’s words, Wan Huier felt both joy and sorrow. Unable to contain herself, she leaned into Granny Bai Cao’s embrace and gave vent to loud, heart-wrenching sobs.

Seeing this scene, a heavy weight lifted from Lou Yun’s heart. Silently, he turned and pushed the door open, stepping outside. At this moment, he didn’t want to disturb the warmth between the newly bonded Master and disciple.

Outside the house, Lou Yun didn’t dare to go far. He found a spot nearby and sat down. Huier’s situation was finally resolved satisfactorily. By becoming Granny Bai Cao’s disciple, not only could her face be restored, but her future life promised greater happiness too.

It was just that his own troubles were only increasing!

After about half an hour, Granny Bai Cao’s voice came from inside the house. "Lou Yun, come in!"

Lou Yun stood up, pushed the door open, and walked inside. Wan Huier had stopped crying and stood dutifully behind Granny Bai Cao. Seeing Lou Yun enter, a smile appeared on her face. "Gege (Brother)," she said softly.

"Heh, Huier. From now on, serve Granny Bai Cao well and listen to her!" Lou Yun replied.

Granny Bai Cao waved her hand dismissively. "No need for you to tell my disciple what to do. Alright, down to business. Since Huier is now my disciple, I naturally must treat the injury on her face. So, as I said earlier, you need to go collect some herbs for me."

"Granny, tell me what they are. I’ll go right now!"

Granny Bai Cao began counting on her fingers, muttering to herself, "Let me see… We need Bai Cao Lu (Hundred Herb Dew), Liang Yan Cao (Bright Complexion Grass)…"

At this point, Lou Yun suddenly added, "Also need Xue Rou Gen (Blood Flesh Root), Tu Si Zi (Dodder Seeds), and… Qi Cai Xue Lian (Seven-Colored Snow Lotus)!"

Hearing this, Granny Bai Cao’s eyes widened abruptly. She bore into Lou Yun. "How do you know those last herbs?!"