Clouds and Moon Shadow

"If things really don't look right, let's leave," Gu Qingyue said. Although she hadn't seen Manager Liu leave, she noticed that the small restaurant next door was also closed when she went out to look for Mu Bei that afternoon. There was a big lock on the door, and it was locked when it should have been open in broad daylight. Had they quit? Had they left?

Upon hearing this, Rong Qingqing paused for a moment, then said, "But I still have to wait for Uncle Rong's grandson to return. Otherwise, what will he do if the inn is gone when he comes back? Since I promised his grandfather that I would guard this place for him, I must keep my word."

"Then, aren't you going to look for your husband?" Gu Qingyue blurted out. Actually, she was a little curious about Rong Qingqing's past. She seemed to be looking for someone, but there had been no further activity. She didn't know if she had stopped looking for him for the time being or if she would never look for him again.

Rong Qingqing glanced at Gu Qingyue and Xiao Nian, gave a wry smile, and said, "If fate allows, we will meet again." She then lowered her head, staring blankly at the tea in her cup.

Looking at Rong Qingqing like this, Gu Qingyue didn't want to bother her anymore. She knew that Rong Qingqing was a person who kept her promises, so she didn't say anything more. She hoped that Liquan Pass could be defended in the end, so that they could live a peaceful life forever.

Finding the person you're looking for, seeing the person you want to see, and being well is the best outcome.

Three days later, Gu Qingyue and the boys arrived at Zhifen Lane.

The boys, including the youngest, Xiao Nian, followed their panda-eyed senior brother, Liu Feng, to the backyard, where there was a hall that had been set aside specifically for practicing martial arts.

Gu Qingyue knew that everyone would begin formal martial arts training from today. Seeing the boys' excitement, some blushing, others filled with fear, she poured cold water on them one by one and gave them some encouragement, hoping that they could better understand their strengths and weaknesses from today onwards and give it their all. Even the youngest, Xiao Nian, was patted on the head and encouraged.

After watching them leave with Liu Feng, Gu Qingyue and Rong Qingqing followed Liu Qian, who was also Liu Yuan's attendant and the man who had come to Huichun Medical Clinic for the first time, towards the main courtyard.

Rong Qingqing also prepared all the necessary gifts for Gu Qingyue's apprenticeship. Gu Qingyue naturally didn't understand these things, but luckily she had Rong Qingqing's help.

As soon as they entered, the two young men standing next to Sect Master Liu, Liu Yun and Liu Yu, very perceptively took out a futon and placed it in front of the main seat where Sect Master Liu was sitting.

Gu Qingyue knelt down respectfully and accepted the tea that Liu Yu handed her.

Rong Qingqing quickly placed the three-colored gifts for the apprenticeship ceremony on the round table next to Liu Yuan.

"Master, please have some tea," Gu Qingyue said respectfully, raising her hand to offer the tea to Liu Yuan with a solemn expression.

Today, Liu Yuan wore a dark blue robe with dark gold cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, and a black jade crown on his head, exuding a noble air. With his refined and handsome face, it was hard to look away.

He looked at Gu Qingyue with delight and a look of satisfaction on his face.

Looking at the man before her, Gu Qingyue felt a surge of respect. She was thrilled to think that she was about to officially become his disciple and begin practicing internal energy martial arts. Therefore, she didn't care much about kneeling and serving tea to someone for the first time since arriving in this world.

"Get up quickly," Liu Yuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and raised his arm slightly. He was very satisfied with his newly accepted disciple.

Standing behind Gu Qingyue, Rong Qingqing quickly came over to help her up, also extremely excited. From now on, this poor child would have someone to rely on, and she was happy for her.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Gu Qingyue also greeted her two senior brothers, Liu Yun and Liu Yu. Only then did Sect Master Liu raise his hand to let everyone leave, as he had something to say to Gu Qingyue.

Of course, he already knew about Gu Qingyue's background. He didn't care about Gu Qingyue's story about meeting a divine doctor while looking for wild vegetables in the mountains when she was a child, and the doctor teaching her medical skills. Who doesn't have a past? What does it matter if it's true or false?

Sect Leader Liu looked at the child standing respectfully before him, nodded with satisfaction, and gestured for her to sit down.

Gu Qingyue had just sat down when a single sentence jolted her back up.

"Girl, why are you dressed as a man?" Sect Leader Liu asked calmly, unconcerned about Gu Qingyue's excessive reaction.

Gu Qingyue calmed down in an instant, sat down, touched her nose, and said awkwardly, "Master, please forgive me. I did this to reduce unnecessary trouble. If I hadn't dressed as a teenager, I probably wouldn't have been able to get here smoothly."

Sect Leader Liu understood; this was indeed a good reason.

With foreign invaders massacring cities, war raging, and refugees scattered, how could a woman possibly reach Liquan County safely and smoothly? Master Liu nodded, acknowledging this reason.

He didn't have any particular requirements about whether his apprentice was male or female. What he valued in Gu Qingyue was her composure, sharpness, and intelligence, as well as her martial arts skills, which he couldn't discern from her lineage. Of course, he also noticed the natural aura of justice she exuded.

For example, that night, she was able to stand up and kill the Nanzhao man for her own sake, even though they were just doctor and patient at the time.

She could have easily stayed out of it and let the Nanzhao man kill her; what would that have to do with her?

Often, character is the most important quality for judging whether a person is worthy of friendship. Of course, Master Liu and the disciples of Willow Leaf Manor are essentially people with a sense of justice; otherwise, they would not have risked the destruction of the manor to save those children.

Similarly, Gu Qingyue's willingness to become Liu Sect Master's disciple cannot be ruled out for this reason. Regardless of how Gu Qingyue acts or how ruthless she is when killing, she is essentially a good person, even if she doesn't admit it herself most of the time.

"How did Master figure it out?" Gu Qingyue stood up, picked up the teacup on the table, and eagerly approached Sect Leader Liu. She was a little curious. Although she said it wasn't to hide herself but for convenience, she was a highly professional person. Since she was pretending to be a young man, she naturally tried her best not to reveal any flaws.

"Your skeletal structure, and your eyes," Sect Master Liu took the teacup, gently brushed away the floating tea leaves with the lid, and revealed a profound smile, speaking with an air of composure.

Gu Qingyue: ...Your observation skills are amazing, you've become quite shrewd with age!

"As long as you know what you're doing, do the people around you know you're dressed as a man?" Sect Leader Liu raised his hand and took a sip of tea.

Gu Qingyue paused for a moment, then suddenly realized that Rong Qingqing must know.

She had never thought about this matter in detail before, because Rong Qingqing had never revealed anything about it either.

She had been injured and fainted, and Rong Qingqing carried her to the dilapidated temple. She even treated her back injury before she woke up. She felt that the skin condition of men and women was different, even though she was very thin and malnourished at the time.

However, as a woman herself, it's hard to believe that Rong Qingqing was unaware of her true gender. Yet, she never mentioned it, which shows that she was indeed an extremely intelligent and sensible woman, even though she appeared bold, daring, and unconventional.

For example, last time in Rhino Town, she could loudly reject Zhang Dafa's advances, completely disregarding what others thought.

According to Gu Qingyue's understanding, in ancient times, women were not allowed to be alone with any man other than their husbands, let alone have a private conversation with a man in a private room. If this were discovered by outsiders, their reputation would certainly be damaged, and in places with strict ancient laws, they could even be drowned.

But she didn't care. She acted openly and honestly, and although she was feisty, she was kind. Gu Qingyue liked Rong Qingqing very much. Therefore, even if she knew that she was a girl, she probably wouldn't do anything to harm her.

"They don't know yet, but I didn't deliberately hide it. It's just that it's more convenient to go out in men's clothing," Gu Qingyue thought for a moment and then told Sect Master Liu her thoughts.

She believed that even if they knew she was a woman, they would not distance themselves from her.

"You can decide for yourself," Sect Master Liu put down his teacup and handed a square box to Gu Qingyue.

Gu Qingyue took it and looked at Sect Leader Liu quietly, her face full of questions.