"Senior Brother, Junior Brother!"
Du Lao greeted the three of them, his expression indifferent. There was no excitement from seeing dear friends after a long absence. Si Teng and the other two understood his temperament and were not angered or displeased by his aloofness. Instead, they inquired about his well-being and how he had been during his time away from the valley.
Si Teng pulled at his wrist, his fingers about to check his pulse. Du Lao withdrew his hand. Si Teng looked at him quietly, his gaze carrying a hint of displeasure and concern.
"Junior Brother..."
Du Lao raised a hand to stop Si Teng's words. He pulled Nan Shiying, who had been standing by, to his side and said to the others, "Senior Brother, Junior Brother, this is my disciple, Feng Luan. Feng Luan, these are your Second Martial Uncle, Fourth Martial Uncle, and Sixth Martial Uncle!"
Nan Shiying clasped her hands, bowed, and paid her respects, "Disciple Feng Luan, greetings to Second Martial Uncle, Fourth Martial Uncle, and Sixth Martial Uncle!"
Si Teng glanced at Du Lao and swallowed the words that were about to escape his lips. He looked at his junior brother's disciple. Although he had never seen her, he had heard a lot about this disciple. Previously, Hui Ji had received word that someone named Feng Luan had appeared in Lin Yuan Capital, impersonating a disciple of Yaowang Valley and committing fraud. Qin Mu had then instructed Ji Wu, along with Qing Zhu and the others, to visit Lin Yuan Capital on their travels to verify the truth.
Ji Wu had sent back continuous messages, explaining the entire affair and detailing Feng Luan's actions meticulously.
She was taught by his junior brother and inherited his legacy. She gained fame during disaster relief efforts. Later, due to her close relationship with the Regent of Lin Yuan, she became involved in Lin Yuan's power struggles. Originally, according to the rules of Yaowang Valley, such a person would absolutely not be admitted into the valley or be registered. However, during the Changming Mountain incident, if she hadn't risked her life to protect them, Qing Zhu and Qing Yuan might have met a dire fate.
Moreover, after resolving the matter in Wucheng, she also sent people up the mountain to recover the remains of Ji Wu and the others.
This was yet another great kindness.
"Good."
Si Teng thought to himself, then walked forward with a smile, took her arm, and helped her up, saying "good" repeatedly.
Qin Mu's gaze on Nan Shiying held a hint of scrutiny and appraisal. Ji Wu was more direct. He said, "Don't be so quick to address us. Whether you are qualified to be a third-generation disciple of Yaowang Valley is still up for debate."
"What do you mean?"
Before Nan Shiying could speak, Du Lao's eyes widened.
Hui Ji met Du Lao's gaze directly and replied, "Just what it sounds like."
"Are you questioning my judgment in accepting disciples?"
"I am questioning your disciple's proficiency!"
"Very well, fine, you question it." Du Lao laughed in anger. How had he not noticed his junior brother was so annoying before? If he wanted to test her, then he would test her. In his life, he had never seen a more talented prodigy than his unlucky disciple.
Thinking this, Du Lao was no longer angry. Instead, he took a step back, sat leisurely on a chair, and without any pretense, picked up the tea that Si Teng had just drunk and began to sip it.
Seeing him in this state, Qin Mu's scrutinizing gaze on Nan Shiying was tinged with a hint of expectation.
When their Master was alive, he often said that among his disciples, Senior Brother Qin Qing had the highest talent in medicine. If it weren't for Senior Brother's disinterest in the position of Valley Master, their Master would have intended to pass it to him. Senior Brother was solitary in his youth, although he improved later, his temperament was also quite eccentric. He did not accept disciples and looked down upon any disciple in Yaowang Valley. Yet, he would go to the outer sect, which he called "tinkering," but in reality, he was guiding those outer sect disciples.
Senior Brother had said that he would only accept prodigies.
Yet, after taking this Feng Luan as his disciple, he directly handed over his jade pendant.
How high must this Feng Luan's talent be?
Now, seeing Hui Ji preparing to test her, he couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation.