Chapter Sixty Seven.

Duan Xinyue and Yuan Ye are strolling around the market. Duan Xinyue seems absent minded after arguing with Lei Qiang while Yuan Ye on the other hand is excited and wants to buy everything in Meanders City.Duan Xinyue catches a sight of Wei Yi's carriage heading towards Ziran Sect. He stands there stranded for a bit before he moves on with Yuan Ye to another shop.

Wei Yi is excited to see Lei Qiang and the other way round .A slight tint of sadness can be seen on Lei Qiang's face but Wei Yi can't notice as they proceed to talk about Lei Qiang's trip to the western border.

"I heard you guys went to seek a famous physician."

"Yes but shortly we received a letter that the strange disease had been curbed but we decided to stay longer to enjoy the scenery."

"It's good that you're back safe and sound,"Wei Yi smiles gently.

Hong Yi comes in after sometime and whispers something to Lei Qiang but he doesn't give off any special reaction making Wei Yi assumes it's something to do with the sect.

The following morning Lord Du Yuan summons the three of them who went to Moon City. After sending off the military soldier to the western border,Duan Xinyue heads towards Lord Du Yuan's residence with Yuan Ye. He's hoping to help Yuan Ye gain credit for taking part in the sieging of the Illusion Lair assassins in Moon City. This will also help Yuan Ye get a stand for himself in Meanders City and maybe no longer rely on Duan Xinyue. When they arrive , the meeting starts with Lord Du Yuan and Lord Xu Kong chairing the meeting. Lei Qiang and Duan Xinyue take turns to explain what exactly happened in Moon City. They proceed to discuss about the attack at Redemption Temple. The Redemption Temple attack could be a sign that the Illusion Lair is starting to make their move or their target is someone in Redemption Temple. After the serious discussion,Lord Xu Kong inquires more about Yuan Ye.

"My surname is Yuan my first name is Ye."

"Yuan Ye. Good name. What do you do for a living?"

"I'm just like Mister Duan here I'm a musician."

"Now that you risked your life to save those innocent citizens, should I find you a civil post? Tell me what do you want?"

"I appreciate the offer but I want to continue being a musician,"Yuan Ye politely denies the offer.

"I assume you're planning to join Qingfeng Pavilion,then?"

"Exactly,"Yuan Ye confirms.

The rest including Duan Xinyue are suddenly shocked on hearing this. Duan Xinyue wasn't planning on keeping him in Qingfeng Pavilion. He wanted to help him secure a civil post but Yuan Ye has ruined his plan. Now that Yuan Ye has revealed about it to others,Duan Xinyue can't deny him the chance.

Immediately after the meeting,Du Yichen drags Duan Xinyue aside to talk to him.

"Why do I feel like that guy is interested in you?"Du Yichen deduces.

"It's better to be loved than to be hated."

"What's wrong? What happened between you and Master Lei?"

"He broke up with me."

"And you're fine with it?"

"What do you want me to do? Cry till my throat becomes dry? He won't come back."

"By the way I heard sects from other towns are coming to Meanders City to challenge his disciples."

"Good for him."

"Will you attend?"

"We'll see."

Later , Duan Xinyue introduces Yuan Ye as the new member of Qingfeng Pavilion. Qin Lanhua throws a welcoming party for him. For the next couple of days,Lei Qiang is busy preparing the disciples for the Martial arts competition. No matter how busy he is he doesn't forget to ask Hong Yi if Duan Xinyue has shown up yet. He knows Duan Xinyue is stubborn so he has glimmer of hope that he might come but Duan Xinyue seems to be obeying the rules this time. He doesn't show up and neither does he try to contact them in any way.

It happens to be the night before the Martial Arts Contest when Lei Qiang stands outside his pavilion watching the stars. His mind seems to be wandering elsewhere. It's now 10 p.m Hong Yi asks him to go back in and take a rest in preparation for the following day.

"Have they gone to bed?"Lei Qiang asks referring to the disciples.

"They must have."

"Then you go to bed too."

Hong Yi walks back in unwillingly. Lei Qiang stands there for a while but when he's about to go back in,he senses someone's presence. He looks around in scrutiny. The person's movement and presence is barely unnoticeable. Lei Qiang almost thinks he's hallucinating but then the intruder speaks up.

"My silly disciple,why are you so worried?"a warm fatherly voice asks.Lei Qiang turns around and sees Guo Mulang.

"Shifu,"Lei Qiang's heart almost skips a beat. With clasped hands,Lei Qiang respectfully greets his Shifu.

Lei Qiang invites Guo Mulang in but Guo Mulang refuses.

"Shifu,what has happened to you over these years?"Lei Qiang asks in a voice full of concern and curiosity.

"Nothing much. How about you? How have you been?"

"I'm fine."

"That's good to know. I heard you're hosting a Martial Arts Contest."

"Yes. Shifu ,what really happened to you?"

"Don't worry about me. Are your disciples well prepared? If you get nervous your disciples will get even more nervous so you have to get rid of your nervousness."

"Shifu,you..." Lei Qiang turns around in confusion at the sudden disappearance of Guo Mulang. Is it a dream? He wonders. He finally gives up and goes back inside to sleep. Just as he enters in his bed,he hears someone playing a familiar flute tune. It's the Tranquility Melody,a tune that Guo Mulang used to play for them when they were having trouble sleeping at Yanshi Sect. Lei Qiang can't help but feel nostalgic.