Blood will definitely mix together, because the cunning Nie Yun had already added alum. Don’t even mention Shi Qing and Shi Zhongjian; you could try it with a pig and a donkey, and the result would be the same.

Seeing the excited couple and Shi Zhongjian, who looked bewildered and even a little scared, Nie Yun said, “Alright, Miss Min, let go of the child first, don’t frighten him.”

Min Rou was taken aback upon hearing this, and quickly looked at Shi Zhongjian, only to see that his eyes were full of anxiety and unease, which made her feel even more sorry for him.

Shi Qing, being a man, stepped forward and pulled his wife away, saying softly, “Don’t rush, the child can’t accept it right away, let’s take it slowly.”

As soon as Shi Zhongjian was released, he rushed to Nie Yun’s side.

Nie Yun patted him on the shoulder and said, “Young brother, these two people in front of you are your biological parents. Why don’t you kowtow to them?”

Shi Zhongjian grabbed Nie Yun’s hand and shook his head, saying, “Brother Nie, my mother isn’t like that. She’s not my mother, and I don’t have a father either.”

Nie Yun shook his head and laughed, “Your mother isn’t your biological mother. She just took you away from your biological parents and raised you herself. This Lady Min in front of you is the mother who carried you for ten months and gave birth to you. Master Shi is your biological father. You shouldn’t be called a bastard. You should be surnamed Shi.”

Shi Zhongjian still didn’t believe it and shook his head, saying, “No, my mother is my mother.”

Nie Yun looked defeated and said irritably, “I’m asking you, on this journey with me, have you ever seen a mother treat her child the way that woman in the mountains treated you?”

Shi Zhongjian recalled the various displays of maternal love that Nie Yun had shown him along the way, and then thought about Mei Fanggu’s usual attitude towards him. He couldn’t help but scratch his head and say, “No…no.”

Nie Yun nodded and continued, “Then what do they do when you call someone a bastard?”

However, Shi Zhongjian shrank back, looking terrified, and said, “They were furious and started hitting me right away. If it weren’t for Brother Nie saving me, I would have been beaten to death long ago.”

“That’s right! Because ‘dog bastard’ is an insult. What mother would call her child a ‘dog bastard’? That would be insulting herself, wouldn’t it?”

Nie Yun pushed him in front of Min Rou and Shi Qing, “Look at the way they look at you, that’s how a biological mother looks at her child!”

Shi Zhongjian looked at Shi Qing and Min Rou, and saw that they were looking at him with apprehension, their eyes revealing hope and affection, as if they wanted to speak but dared not open their mouths.

Min Rou was already crying uncontrollably when he denied her, tears slowly streaming down her cheeks.

Since he could remember, no one had ever looked at him with such loving eyes, and he was deeply moved. He hesitated and took a step forward, asking stammeringly, “You…you’re really my mother?”

Min Rou hugged him tightly, choking back tears, “My child, I really am your mother. When you were less than a month old, a female thief came to harm your mother. Your father wasn’t home, and your mother had just given birth to you and didn’t have the strength to fight back against that female thief. That female thief was very wicked; she not only wanted to kill your mother, but also you and your brother.”

“I…I have an older brother? Then he…” Shi Zhongjian was even more shocked.

Min Rou continued, “Your brother had just turned one year old. Your mother was holding him in her left arm and desperately supporting him with her sword in her right. That female bandit was very skilled in martial arts. Just when things were critical, your father happened to return. The female bandit threw three gold darts. Your mother knocked two of them away, but the third hit your brother’s little bottom. Your mother was so anxious and exhausted that she fainted. When the female bandit saw your father, she ran away. But she was really ruthless. As she ran away, she took you with her. Your father was busy saving me and was afraid that she would secretly have accomplices and take the opportunity to harm me, so he dared not chase after her. He also thought that the female bandit… she wouldn’t really harm his son, she just took the baby to scare him. Who knew that on the third day, the female bandit would actually bring back the corpse of a baby wearing your clothes. The face was slashed and bloody, and two short swords were stuck in the heart. One was a black sword, and the other was a white sword. The names of your father and mother were engraved on the swords…”

At this point, Min Rou was already in tears.

Although she now knows that the one who died was not her child, the pain she felt at the time is something she will never forget.

Shi Zhongjian was also filled with righteous indignation upon hearing this, and angrily said, “This female thief is truly despicable. What does a little child know? Yet she still managed to poison him to death.”

Min Rou recalled the excruciating pain she felt that day and gritted her teeth, saying, “Yes, that…that female thief was vicious and cruel, causing my son and me to be separated for more than ten years. I wish I could tear her to pieces.”

She gently stroked Shi Zhongjian’s cheek, “You and your brother look exactly alike, it’s obvious you’re brothers. And you saw the blood test just now, if you weren’t our child, how could two drops of blood mix? Child, I… I really am your mother, really! Waaah…”

Min Rou, recalling the pain she had endured over the past decade, burst into tears.

Looking at Min Rou, Shi Zhongjian felt her deep affection for him. Having never received warmth in over a decade, his heart ached, and he cried, “I don’t know, I don’t know anything. I didn’t know you were my mother, I didn’t know he was my father… Are you really my mother? You wouldn’t hit me, you wouldn’t scold me, you wouldn’t not feed me…”

“No, no… I will take good care of you, child, you will never suffer again!”

Min Rou shook her head desperately, feeling both pity and resentment. If Mei Fanggu were standing in front of her right now, she would definitely stab her to death with a sword, or even stab her a hundred or eighty times to vent her hatred.

Looking into Min Rou’s loving and tender gaze, Shi Zhongjian finally called out, “Mom…Mom…”

“My child!” Min Rou hugged Shi Zhongjian tightly, tears streaming down her face.

Although she would secretly shed tears every time she thought of Shi Zhongjian over the past ten years, she had never felt such a mix of joy and sorrow as she did today.

Shi Qing was equally overwhelmed and stepped forward to hug Shi Zhongjian, thinking to himself, “Heaven has finally been kind to me, Shi Qing, and has finally sent Jian’er back. He is still so simple and kind.”

Seeing the family of three embracing, Nie Yun felt a pang of emotion.

Thinking of my parents from my past life, I couldn’t help but feel a lump in my throat.

Although he came into this world and had unimaginable adventures and romantic encounters, the regret of never seeing his loved ones again is irreparable.

Shui Sheng and Ling Shuanghua had both recently lost loved ones, and seeing this scene now only intensified their grief, causing tears to flow uncontrollably.

Nie Yun reached out and hugged them, whispering, “Don’t be sad, I’m here! We’ll go back to Mount Hua together, where it will become our warm home, and we’ll be a family that will never be separated.”

The two women didn’t speak, they just nodded frantically.

After crying their hearts out for a while, Shi Qing and his family of three gradually calmed down.

Shi Qing and Min Rou pulled Shi Zhongjian to Nie Yun’s side. Shi Qing clasped his hands together and said excitedly, “Sect Leader Nie, I will never forget your great kindness to our family.”

Min Rou also gave a graceful bow, her beautiful face blooming with a bright smile, “Sect Leader Nie, thank you so much for sending Jian’er back to my side. I really don’t know how to thank you enough!”

Shi Zhongjian was also very grateful. “Brother Nie, thank you.”

“You don’t need to be so polite. I discovered it by accident.” Nie Yun smiled and shook his head, then a trace of nostalgia and sadness appeared on his face. “Besides, I know the pain of losing a loved one, especially the feeling of a child losing their parents.”

Well, this guy has completely forgotten about Yue Buqun, Ling Tuisi, and Shui Dai!

Shi Qing and Min Rou were both stunned upon hearing this. It was the first time Shi Qing had learned that Nie Yun’s parents were also gone, while Min Rou recalled what had happened that night at the Huashan martial arts training ground.

Ling Shuanghua and Shui Sheng were very surprised; it was the first time they had heard Nie Yun talk about his parents. Ling Shuanghua took Nie Yun’s hand and said softly, “Brother Yun, you…”

Nie Yun stroked her hair and said softly, “When I was five years old, my family and I were traveling when we were unfortunately attacked by bandits. My whole family perished, and only I survived. It was my master and mistress who brought me back to Mount Hua, which is why I am who I am today. So compared to me, you are still lucky, aren’t you?”

He deliberately used a lighter tone when he said his last sentence, but it made people feel even more sorry for him.

The two women clung tightly to him, seemingly trying to comfort Nie Yun in this way.

Min Rou recalled his sorrowful eyes, his suppressed tears, his heart-wrenching murmurs, and his trembling body as he leaned on her shoulder that night. Her gaze towards Nie Yun became even more tender.

Nie Yun looked at Shi Zhongjian and smiled, “Although you were separated from your parents when you were young, you’ve finally overcome your hardships! I really envy you for having such loving parents!”

Shi Zhongjian quickly said, “Brother Nie, didn’t you say we’re good brothers? Then my parents are your parents too!”

Nie Yun smiled and shook his head, but Min Rou, who was standing next to him, suddenly had a thought.

“Jian’er’s words make sense. Nie… Nie Yun is only two or three years older than Yu’er. If we adopt him as our godson, it will not only make up for his regret of losing his parents at a young age, but also allow him to take good care of Yu’er and Jian’er.”

The more Min Rou thought about it, the better she felt this was, and her eyes grew brighter as she looked at Nie Yun.

“With such a sworn brother, Yu’er and Jian’er will definitely be of great help to them in the future.”

Min Rou found a reasonable reason for her idea, but deep in her heart, there was a thought that she herself did not know or dared not think: having this relationship with him would allow her to see him often without causing gossip.

However, she knew that this was no small matter, and it was not something she could decide alone; she also needed to consult her husband. So, although she had many thoughts in her mind, she did not speak during the meal.

********************

After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. Min Rou wanted Shi Zhongjian to sleep with her and her husband, but Shi Qing stopped her.

“Junior sister, let’s not even talk about the fact that this isn’t our Xuan Su Manor and the guest rooms aren’t spacious enough. Even if we went home, Jian’er would be so grown up by now, how could she possibly sleep with us?”

Seeing Min Rou clinging to her son and unwilling to let go, Shi Qing continued, “Besides, Yu’er was spoiled too much by you and me, which has given him a lot of bad habits. Jian’er must not repeat the same mistake!”

Although Min Rou was extremely reluctant, she could not disobey her husband, and she couldn’t help but pull Shi Zhongjian along and shed tears again.

Seeing this, Nie Yun instructed his servants to arrange for Shi Zhongjian to stay in the room next to Shi Qing and his wife.

This made Min Rou secretly admire Nie Yun’s understanding nature even more. Looking at Nie Yun’s friendly and kind manner towards Shi Zhongjian, she became even more determined in her mind.

That night, Min Rou told Shi Qing about her idea in bed.

Shi Qing pondered for a moment and said, “As the head of the Huashan Sect, Sect Leader Nie’s status is extraordinary. Although you and I have some reputation in the martial arts world, it would be difficult for us to become his godparents…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but Min Rou understood. However, she didn’t give up and shook her head, saying, “Senior brother, I think you underestimate Nie Yun. Back in Liu Zhengfeng’s mansion in Hengshan City, he stood up and rebuked the Songshan disciples, even going so far as to fight a master like the Pagoda-Bearing Hand. Today, he’s gone to such lengths for Jian’er, helping our family reunite. Moreover, when I talked about him with Miss Ling and Miss Shui these past few days, they both praised him highly, saying he was their savior. Such a loyal and righteous young man is definitely not the kind of worldly person who values ​​status and reputation.”

Seeing Shi Qing’s thoughtful expression, she continued, “And you’ve seen Jian’er’s appearance too. She’s been raised by that…that person and is so naive and ignorant of the ways of the world. Yu’er isn’t the type to take care of people. If Nie Yun can look after her, we can rest assured even when we grow old.”

After listening to his wife’s words, Shi Qing thought for a moment and finally nodded and said, “Then we’ll discuss it with Miss Ning after we go to Mount Hua. You might as well try to probe her with words these next few days, but you must not tell her directly, lest she disagrees and make things awkward for both of us.”

Min Rou was overjoyed to see her husband agree. She nodded and said, “Don’t worry, Senior Brother, I know what’s important.”

********************

Early the next morning, Shi Qing asked Nie Yun, “Sect Leader Nie, when do you plan to return to Mount Hua?”

Nie Yun looked at Shui Sheng, who pondered for a moment and then said, “Father’s only direct disciple is Cousin Wang… The rest are all entry-level or outer disciples. Although I have been learning martial arts from Father since I was a child, I have only just begun to understand the basics and am not qualified to teach martial arts at all. It seems that we can only dismiss them now.”

After thinking for a moment, Nie Yun instructed Shui Sheng to gather all the disciples together.

Shui Dai had never established a sect, so he didn’t have many disciples; including Shui Sheng and Wang Xiaofeng, there were fewer than twenty. Everyone gathered in the courtyard, their hearts filled with trepidation.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Nie Yun coughed lightly and said, “I have called you all here today to discuss your future plans.”

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately began to discuss it.

Nie Yun frowned, channeled his inner strength, and said, “What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket?”

The sound wasn’t very loud, but it suppressed the noise of the crowd and clearly reached everyone’s ears.

The disciples fell silent, all secretly astonished by Nie Yun’s internal strength.

Shi Qing and Min Rou exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with both surprise and admiration.

Seeing the crowd quiet down, Nie Yun nodded and continued, “Master Shui and Young Master Wang have unfortunately passed away. As a woman and still young, Miss Shui is not suitable to continue teaching you martial arts. Before Master Shui passed away, Miss Shui entrusted her to me, so she will accompany me to Mount Hua.”

He paused here, observing the reactions of the crowd.

Perhaps it was because his display of skill was too amazing, or perhaps the truth he had convinced them of was too powerful, but the courtyard remained quiet, and everyone looked at him without saying a word.

Nie Yun smiled slightly, “We are all martial arts practitioners, and I’m sure you’re not willing to give up halfway. My Huashan Sect is one of the Five Sacred Mountains Sword Sects, descended from the Quanzhen Sect’s founder, Master Hao Datong, during the Southern Song Dynasty. Back then, Master Chongyang of the Quanzhen Sect was the number one martial artist in the world, and the Quanzhen Sect was the most orthodox sect of the Xuanmen (Taoist school). I wonder if you would be willing to join my Huashan Sect and become disciples?”

The group exchanged bewildered glances. After a while, one of the leaders stepped forward and, mustering his courage, asked, “May I ask, Sect Leader Nie, what is our status after we join Mount Hua?”

Nie Yun said, “At that time, we will conduct a unified assessment and classify disciples into external disciples and entry-level disciples based on their aptitude and cultivation. As for true disciples, it will depend on your progress in practicing Huashan martial arts. But regardless of your level, all disciples must abide by the Huashan sect rules. Our sect values ​​virtue above all else. First, we must not betray our masters or ancestors, nor disrespect our elders. Second, we must not bully the weak or harm the innocent. Third, we must not commit adultery or lewdness, nor harass women. Fourth, we must not be jealous of our fellow disciples and kill each other. Fifth, we must not be greedy and treacherous, nor steal. Sixth, we must not be arrogant and conceited, thus offending our fellow disciples. Seventh, we must not associate with bandits or collude with evil spirits. Anyone who violates these rules will be punished according to the severity of the offense; those who commit heinous crimes will be executed without mercy.”

A silence fell over the crowd, as if they were undecided.

Nie Yun continued, “Not long ago, the sword and qi sects of Mount Hua reconciled. Mount Hua disciples can choose to practice swordsmanship or qi cultivation according to their personal strengths. You have just witnessed the power of Mount Hua’s internal energy. Now, I will show you Mount Hua’s swordsmanship.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up, and they immediately focused their attention on Nie Yun.

“My Huashan swordsmanship is extraordinary and elegant, lofty and unparalleled. Every move reveals the spirit of winning by combining the orthodox and the unorthodox, and seeking victory in danger. When I strike, the sword moves lightly and nimbly, the moves are broken but the intention is connected, and it is continuous and unbroken…” Nie Yun came to the middle of the courtyard and demonstrated the Huashan swordsmanship one by one as he spoke.

His swordplay was swift and agile, flashing like rainbows, its movements both elegant and solemn. Although the crowd did not understand the Huashan swordplay, they could tell that its exquisite level far surpassed that of their master, Shui Dai.

Nie Yun danced faster and faster, suddenly letting out a clear whistle as he unleashed the “Whirlwind Swift Sword” technique he had learned from Feng Buping. This “Whirlwind Swift Sword” was a signature sword technique created by Feng Buping during his fifteen years of seclusion in the deep mountains. This sword technique was not only exquisite in its moves, but also possessed a fierce and powerful aura, not merely relying on sword techniques to win. As it was unleashed, a faint sound of wind emanated from the sword’s momentum, each sword move faster than the last, the resulting wind sound growing stronger and stronger, its power immense. When facing an opponent, the opponent was like a small boat in a hundred-foot-high raging torrent, with howling winds and towering waves crashing against the small boat, tossed about by the waves until finally swallowed by the tide.

As the energy emanating from the sword’s edge gradually expanded, onlookers felt a chill, their faces and hands stinging from the wind, and they involuntarily retreated.

Having just finished using all 108 moves, Nie Yun slashed at a small tree in the courtyard with a deadly triple sword strike.

Everyone only saw a flash of silver light before their eyes, and then they saw Nie Yun sheath his sword and walk towards Shui Sheng.

Everyone was astonished to see the sapling intact. Some even thought that a gentle breeze had suddenly broken the sapling into six sections, leaving only a small piece close to the ground.

Nie Yun turned around, his eyes calm and undisturbed.