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Chapter 283: Old Feelings

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Han Li thought that if he informed her of the disappearance of the Mu Caihuan mother and daughter, Mu Fengwu would already feel sufficiently reassured knowing that she still had relatives alive in the world—after all, with her family now completely gone, she would likely never mention wanting to see them again. Han Li then briefly recounted his encounter with Mu Caihuan, which moved Mu Fengwu so deeply that she nearly cried with joy. Mu Fengwu was well aware that, as a cultivator, Han Li did not need to fabricate any lies to impress her—a mere woman—his courtesy and kindness were likely rooted in their brief meeting years ago. Thus, after clasping her hands together and placing them gently over her chest, silently praying for a moment, she regained her composure. Yet, now facing Han Li again, she no longer seemed as cold or distant. He must surely understand that, had it not been for his timely assistance at Yanling Pavilion, the Yan family mother and daughter would still have been in dire straits. "Thank you, Mr. Han, for informing me of the whereabouts of Mei Huan and the fourth lady. This is the first good news I've heard about the Wind Dance in the past seven or eight years." Mo Fengwu spoke calmly, slowly. But before Han Li could say anything, she continued: "Although my younger sister and her daughter are safe, my elder sister and several other aunts remain missing—most likely already killed. This grievance I cannot allow to go unavenged. Yet I myself am no warrior—unable to lift a chicken or hold a spear. Mr. Han, will you surely assist me, won't you?" As she spoke, her tone grew increasingly frail. A layer of mist instantly settled over her bright eyes, as if she were on the verge of weeping. Han Li, seeing this, rubbed his nose, feeling both deeply troubled and helpless. He had hoped that once Mo Fengwu learned of the safety of Mei Huan and her daughter, she would no longer be so eager to seek vengeance. Yet he was surprised to find that the Mo family member he hadn't seen in years had grown so determined about this matter. To be honest, if it were simply to have him eliminate a cultivator at the Qi Stage, it would be far easier than asking him to kill an ordinary noble person without any apparent reason. Since entering Huangfeng Valley, Han Li has known that the entire Yue Kingdom's dozen or so prefectures have already been thoroughly divided among the seven great sects and several prominent families. Every established secular power within each prefecture has had cultivators quietly observing and even supporting them from behind the scenes. The ancient families such as the Mo Family of Lanshou and the Duzhuang Manor, which were relatively new, had not yet come into contact with the cultivation world. Otherwise, when Han Li first assassinated the then-Eu Yang Feitian of Duzhuang Manor, he would have faced significant scrutiny and pursuit. But the Wusè Sect is different—it has been flourishing for over a century and is thus well-established and long-standing. And Lanzhou, being the de facto territory of the seven great sects for the spiritual beasts, likely already has the shadow of the Spirit Mountain behind it. That is why the Mo Mansion suffered such a crushing defeat even upon first contact. As a disciple of Huangfeng Valley, Han Li had no reason to suddenly eliminate a leading secular-world figure supported by another sect—this would surely be difficult to explain. However, recently, the demonic sects have been secretly infiltrating Yue Kingdom to undermine the secular world, presenting a perfect opportunity to act without drawing attention. If they act now, with careful planning, they should avoid any complications. Han Li thought this through, yet showed no outward signs of concern. Instead, he rose and walked back and forth several times within the room. After further consideration, he fixed his gaze on Mu Fengwu's graceful face and calmly stated: "Madam Fengwu, by principle, this request cannot be granted—it would indeed bring me considerable trouble. However, the current situation in the immortal realm has become somewhat unique, so I cannot say there are no opportunities. How about this—" Should the opportunity arise, I would be willing to try removing the Master of the Wǔsè Gate. But should it truly prove impossible, then Madam Fengwu need only let go of her desire for vengeance!" Hearing this, Madam Fengwu burst into tears with overwhelming joy. Her delicate, dewy beauty filled Li Han with a sense of profound wonder. When they first met, he had genuinely been touched by the gentle grace of the second daughter of the Mo family. To this day, the warm, comforting impression she had left on him remains vivid, often bringing him a lingering sense of nostalgia. This had, indeed, been his first real stirrings of romantic affection. This modest promise, then, could serve as a heartfelt commitment to his feelings toward her. Li Han thought thus, yet on the surface he maintained his composure, intending to keep this sentiment quietly buried within, never to mention it again. Madam Fengwu, finally, regained her composure from the joy of Li Han's promise. She beamed with gratitude, saying nothing as she took a few steps toward Han Li, then gently kissed his face with soft, fragrant lips. With a touch of bashfulness and a hint of bewilderment, she said, "With Brother Han's promise, even if I am unable to kill that person, I shall be deeply grateful." After speaking these words, the young woman silently draped her cloak over herself and hurried out of Han Li's room. Han Li touched the spot on his face where she had kissed him, his expression now somewhat unusual. He then rested one hand on his chin, lost in thought, deep in contemplation—long, long into the morning. When he awoke the next morning, fresh from meditation, he reflected on the events of the previous night and found himself sighing gently. If Mu Fengwu had a spiritual root, he would surely have brought her into the Yellow Maple Valley sect and formed a spiritual bond with her to jointly pursue the Dao. With these thoughts in mind, Han Li finished his morning routine and stepped out of the room. He intended to first become familiar with the layout of Qin's residence before considering any other matters. Yet, upon stepping out, he found Qin Ping standing outside, smiling warmly. Before韩立 could even ask him what was going on, Qin Ping promptly explained: "I have been assigned by the lord to serve as your personal attendant for the time being. Should Master Han ever need any assistance or errands, please feel free to simply instruct me." Qin Ping's tone when speaking to Han was both respectful and full of enthusiasm. His thoughts were straightforward: Though Master Han hailed from a modest background and appeared somewhat unrefined, he held a very significant position in the lord's heart—this alone was sufficient to warrant his attentiveness. Moreover, if he could serve Master Han well, he might also win the lord's further favor. Qin Ping was thinking all the while, plotting his own little schemes, and genuinely looked down upon those who, upon hearing they'd have to serve as attendants to this country-club young lord, promptly pushed themselves out of the running. He had long heard from the maidservants of his wife's household that this young lord was very likely the private son of the household's lord. As long as the lord lived, how could he treat him unfairly? And as the attendant to the young lord, his position would surely improve with time. This was far better than merely serving as a messenger before the third lady. "Qin Ping, seeing his first assignment arrive, immediately sprang to life with a spirited response. Thus, Han Li, under Qin Ping's guidance, began to wander around the vast Qin estate. Although certain areas were occupied by ladies of the household, making it somewhat difficult for Han Li to get close and observe them personally, merely standing at a distance and offering brief descriptions was enough to avoid any complaints. After all, Qin Yan's words from yesterday had already spread throughout the entire Qin household. "This is the Fu Gui Courtyard of the second lord's family. Besides the second lord, the two youngest sons of the second lord also reside there. As for the courtyard next door..." Qin Ping, as a diligent guide, not only informed Han Li of the names of each courtyard but also pointed out the residents within, allowing Han Li to take careful notes and make solid impressions. However, when he mentioned the residence of the cousin lady, Mu Fengwu, Han Li's expression shifted slightly and he paused to gaze at it for a while before returning to his usual composure. In no time at all, Han Li had taken a thorough tour of the Qin household, yet he still seemed underwhelmed. In the end, he simply asked Qin Ping to lead him out of the house and take him around some lively spots within Yuejing, wandering aimlessly while Qin Ping kept explaining nonstop. As they passed through the city's most renowned attractions and bustling districts, the afternoon stretched into a full morning. Qin Ping's initially enthusiastic expression had long since faded. Now, he walked steadily behind Han Li, one leg slightly limping, his face pale with exhaustion. Who, after walking for several hours without a single break and constantly speaking, wouldn't look like this? For the first time, Qin Ping began to question whether he had made the right choice in picking Han Li as his master.