Do you really think you can get me with just a banana?

After catching his breath, Li Xiuqi pondered over the words of Li Suyin and others, and felt that there was a lot of profound meaning in them.

He leaned back in his chair, lightly twisting the Buddhist beads with his fingertips, and the beads made a crisp "crunching" sound.

Su Yi observed from the sidelines. He saw Li Xiuqi's eyes were cold, his face gloomy, and his lips tightly pursed, clearly filled with anger. Slowly approaching, he pinched his father's shoulders to loosen up his muscles. He said with some discomfort, "Dad, we don't provoke others, but now they're provoking us. They dared to sell that kind of medicine in the sect. I almost died at their hands..."

Li Xiuqi's face darkened upon hearing this. He turned around and patted his son's hand in a comforting gesture. He said angrily, "I was on the brink of death in my own time. I've seen everything! This is too much! Beat them! If they don't let us pass, they won't be able to get through!"

Su Yi quickly patted Li Xiuqi's back, fearing he might become ill from anger. Li Xiuqi panted angrily for a few breaths, then turned his gaze to Guan Shanyu and Yan Ruchen, who were still slumped in the audience, and demanded, "But you two are willing to abandon even your own sect. How can I trust your loyalty? After today, how can I be sure you won't go back and tip off?"

Upon hearing this, Li Suyin glanced nervously at Yan Ruchen, then softly called out "Dad" in an attempt to stop him from continuing. Li Xiuqi glared at his daughter, signaling her not to interrupt.

Li Suyin was frightened by her father's eyes and lowered her head. She dared not say anything more.

Yan Ruchen lowered his eyes, glanced at Guan Shanyu leaning in his arms, and said slowly, "Palace Master Li, you don't need to trust our loyalty. We only revealed this matter because we don't want more disciples to die innocently. Once this matter is resolved, we will not stay in the Immortal Sect."

Li Xiuqi narrowed his eyes and looked at Guan Shanyu and said, "He has this secret technique, do you think he can escape?"

Guan Shanyu's heart trembled, thinking to himself that Li Xiuqi was indeed well-versed in the taboos of this secret technique. Since even the Yuchen Palace knew about it, he probably knew about it too. Guan Shanyu felt an inexplicable heaviness in his heart. He smiled to himself, but suddenly felt his shoulders tighten.

When he looked up, he saw Yan Ruchen holding his shoulders tightly. He looked up at Li Xiuqi and said seriously, "By then, they will all be prisoners. There is nothing to be afraid of. Besides, this secret technique can be planted, and it can definitely be removed."

Guan Shanyu felt inexplicably nervous when he heard this. He turned his head away hurriedly and tried to calm down his complicated emotions.

Li Xiuqi stared at Yan Ruchen for a long moment, and Yan Ruchen, unflinching, met his gaze. After a moment, Li Xiuqi suddenly smiled. "Yan Ruchen, I remember you. I heard you're a capable figure in the Tianxuan Dao Sect, and you do have your own ideas. You came to me today, so I'm afraid you already have a plan. Tell me, don't just sit there."

Upon hearing this, Guan Shanyu quickly stood up and pulled Yan Ruchen over to their seats. Li Xiuqi, seeing this, shook his head and smiled. After the disciples had all taken their seats again, Yan Ruchen slowly explained their plan.

The sun slowly moved westward from mid-day until it set, sparse sunlight filtering through the gaps between the branches and leaves. The sound of conversation continued inside, but outside, there was an unusual silence. Even the flutter of a sparrow's wings on the window lattice could be heard clearly.

Guards stood silently outside, guarding the gate; in the courtyard, maids and nannies were busy with their duties, pruning flowers, maintaining the lawn, watering and sweeping. Suddenly, in the midst of the peaceful tranquility, the sound of a door creaking open broke the silence.

"Then it's settled. You and Shanyu, return to the sect as soon as possible. Otherwise, you'll be easily suspected if you stay out for so long. The rest is my business."

Li Xiuqi's voice echoed from the depths of the hall. He then emerged, accompanied by several disciples. The maids and guards hurriedly bowed in greeting. Yan Ruchen followed Li Xiuqi out, briefly glancing at the crowd outside before responding respectfully, "Then I'll trouble you, Palace Master Li. We'll be on hand if you need us."

Li Xiuqi nodded slightly and said, "Okay, see you in two days. Wang Tianyang will stay with me for the time being and proceed according to the plan."

Yan Ruchen saluted again, his eyes swept across Wang Tianyang, then turned to Guan Shanyu and said softly, "Let's go." Guan Shanyu also saluted Li Xiuqi, and left with Yan Ruchen.

Li Xiuqi glanced at Jin Yu and Gu Yu beside him and said, "You've been out for so long, your master must be worried. To avoid alerting the enemy, you should return first."

Jin Yu and Gu Yu nodded in agreement and left through the main gate without saying anything more.

Still walking on the familiar street leading to Tianxuan.

Although he and Li Xiuqi had confirmed their intentions, Guan Shanyu still felt a heavy stone in his heart. He looked at the bustling crowds on the street, some were hurrying on their way with heavy loads on their shoulders, some were driving to transport goods, and some were setting up stalls to sell goods. The merchants and pedestrians were coming and going in an endless stream, and the noise and bustle were just like his mood.

Seeing Guan Shanyu pursing his lips, Yan Ruchen smiled and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Before Guan Shanyu could come to his senses and answer, a shop owner in an apron came out with a basin of water and was about to pour it out. As she walked out, she shouted a warning: "Be careful!" But Yan Ruchen was distracted by Guan Shanyu and didn't pay attention to the warning.

Guan Shanyu was quick to notice and pulled Yan Ruchen closer to him.

The two men closed the distance between them in an instant. Yan Ruchen was caught off guard and was confused. He found himself close to Guan Shanyu. Before he had time to think about the reason, he heard a "splash" of water behind him.

The water had already poured onto the ground, and Guan Shanyu immediately let go of Yan Ruchen, put his hands behind his back, and continued walking. Yan Ruchen didn't even need to look back to understand what was going on. He glanced back at the proprietress who had splashed the water, then caught up with Guan Shanyu and walked side by side with him, turning his head to see the sad expression on Guan Shanyu's face.

Guan Shanyu noticed Yan Ruchen's gaze and spoke bluntly, "Ruchen, tell me, will Palace Master Li betray us? If he really dares to challenge the three major immortal sects, won't he push us out?"

Yan Ruchen was slightly stunned and asked, "Is this what you are worried about?"

Guan Shanyu turned to look at him, slightly annoyed: "Otherwise, what else would I worry about..."

Yan Ruchen smiled when he heard this. Guan Shanyu looked at him curiously and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Yan Ruchen turned around, looked at him with a smile, and said, "You have told him the key points. No matter how stupid he is, he will seize this opportunity."

Guan Shanyu widened his eyes slightly and looked at him: "Are you talking about the election of the leaders of the hundred immortal sects?"

Yan Ruchen nodded. "Only by touching upon his core interests can we move him. Since someone is willing to take risks in order to dominate, and now that such a natural opportunity is right before his eyes, how could he let it go so easily?"

Guan Shanyu smiled and said, "But I still feel a little uneasy."

Yan Ruchen shook his head slightly, a smile on his face as he said, "You're just too worried. After all, this matter is very serious, so it's understandable that you're nervous." He pointed to a stall selling small items on the street and said, "That windmill is very beautiful. Do you want me to buy you one to play with?"

Guan Shanyu glanced at him sideways, almost wanting to push him away, and pretended to be angry and said, "I'm not a child, I don't want to play."

Yan Ruchen walked up to him, leaned forward slightly, and said with a smile: "Just because you're not a child, you can't play?"

Guan Shanyu stopped and glared at him: "I'm not nervous anymore, stop teasing me. Do you still want to lead the horse?"

Yan Ruchen said "Oh" and then smiled and turned sideways, walked into the sect's inn at the foot of the mountain, greeted the people inside, and led out a black horse. Guan Shanyu looked behind him and asked: "Where is my horse?"

Yan Ruchen looked at him and said slowly: "You can't even ride a horse, what do you need two for?"

Guan Shanyu was startled for a moment, then whispered, "That's right, then I'll ride with you."

Yan Ruchen nodded and smiled as if it was natural: "Who else do you want to ride with? I'm the only one here." After that, he approached the black horse, slightly turned sideways, made an "invite" gesture, and said, "Please."

Guan Shanyu quickly shook his head. Yan Ruchen looked puzzled, his smile slightly frozen. Guan Shanyu explained, "I want to sit behind you. Every time I sit in front and watch the horses go up and down the slope, it's too exciting. I'm a little scared."

Yan Ruchen was startled for a moment, then burst out laughing and nodded, "Okay."

On the winding mountain road, the mist was blowing gently, and two young men were seen riding a strong horse together, moving leisurely.

The last rays of sunset filtered through the treetops, dappling their faces. The boy in the front seat gripped the reins tightly, staring straight ahead; the boy in the back seat rested his hand lightly on the boy's shoulder, staring blankly at the withered stumps of wildflowers beside him.

The crisp sound of horse hooves echoed in the quiet valley, raising clouds of dust. Guan Shanyu retracted his gaze and looked at Yan Ruchen in front of him. He thought to himself that the past two days had been unusual. Perhaps it was because he had accepted that he would die sooner or later, or perhaps it was because they had worked together for so long that their relationship had indeed become much closer. The two of them could even joke with each other when they chatted.

It's really amazing.

But compared to this, Guan Shanyu was now worried about something else. He quietly turned sideways, his eyes focused on Yan Ruchen's profile. After looking at it for a while, he suddenly remembered the scratch on his cheek left by a disciple who had accidentally pushed him.

Although it had improved significantly after several days of treatment and ointment application, a faint mark still remained. Meanwhile, Yan Ruchen, who had been through many hardships, how could his skin be so good?

"Shanyu, your sitting position is a bit dangerous. How about I show you slowly when we get to the sect?"

An unexpected voice rang out from in front of him. Guan Shanyu coughed dryly and turned his head, remembering that he had wanted to ask Yan Ruchen something just now, but who knew that seeing his face had distracted him. Guan Shanyu calmed down and said, "Ruchen, I have something to ask you."

"Yeah." Yan Ruchen replied softly, his eyes still looking ahead.

Guan Shanyu saw this and said, "After this matter is settled, do you really want to leave the Immortal Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Ruchen tightened the reins slightly. The horse beneath him seemed to sense his master's mood swings and neighed in dissatisfaction. Yan Ruchen gently stroked the horse's head to comfort him, then slowly turned to Guan Shanyu and asked, "Have you been worried about this all the way?"

Guan Shanyu nodded and said, "You are so powerful, it would be a shame if you don't continue to practice in the Immortal Sect."

After all, this vast world, its numerous immortal sects, and its countless living beings were all conceived and created by Guan Shanyu for Yan Ruchen, and all of them existed around him. Guan Shanyu had given Yan Ruchen supreme magical powers, countless beautiful women, loyal followers, and a bright and glorious future.

However, is it because Guan Shanyu failed to reverse the plot deviation that these things no longer belong to Yan Ruchen in the end?

What about the suffering Yan Ruchen had endured before?