When Life Runs Out, the Fun Begins-Chapter 20 – Tonight, I'd like to stay and take care of you

"Does a child's lack of learning reflect the father's fault? Is a teacher's leniency a sign of laziness?"
Mu Qingyao's brow twitched imperceptibly, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes as clear as autumn water. She hadn't expected Mu Xiaochuan to dare use such a saying to counter her in front of so many disciples. The words were like a sharp dagger, striking directly at her weakness in teaching.
The surrounding air seemed to freeze under an invisible hand, and the disciples held their breath, their gazes flickering between the two. Some quietly stepped back, afraid of being caught in the crossfire of this invisible confrontation.
"Junior Brother Mu," Mu Qingyao's voice remained cool, but her tone rose slightly at the end, "you have quite a sharp tongue."
Mu Xiaochuan smiled slightly and cupped his hands, "Hall Master Mu, you're too kind."
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Mu Qingyao's fingers tightened slightly within her sleeves. As the Hall Master of the Elixir Hall, with a Foundation Establishment of the sixth level, she held a revered position on Yunqi Peak and had never been contradicted like this. Yet, with so many eyes watching, if she bullied the weak, she would lose the upper hand.
She took a deep breath and slowly turned to Ye Lingxuan, her voice low and authoritative, "Lingxuan, is what Elder Mu said true?"
Ye Lingxuan bit her lip, her eyes flickering. She wanted to deny it outright, but under her master's stern gaze and the unfriendly looks from the surrounding disciples, she could only lower her head and whisper like a mosquito, "It's not that exaggerated, but some of it is true."
As soon as the words "it's true" were spoken, the disciples erupted into a commotion. Some felt relieved, others whispered among themselves, and some pointed at Ye Lingxuan. The usually arrogant and domineering little witch had finally stumbled today.
Mu Qingyao's face turned as dark as water. She knew Ye Lingxuan loved to cause trouble and had often indulged her, but she hadn't expected her to become a scourge of Yunqi Peak, nor did she expect Mu Xiaochuan to expose her publicly. She felt a surge of anger but quickly suppressed it.
"Return Li Dali's Qi-Gathering Pill," Mu Qingyao's voice was as cold as ice, "and apologize to Elder Mu, Li Dali, and Su Qianmeng."
Ye Lingxuan raised her head sharply, disbelief in her eyes, "Master!"
"Immediately!" Mu Qingyao's tone was indisputable.
Tears welled up in Ye Lingxuan's eyes as she trembled, taking out a jade bottle from her storage pouch and handing it to Li Dali, who stood nearby.
She then stepped back two paces, bowed slightly to Mu Xiaochuan and Su Qianmeng, and squeezed out the words through gritted teeth, "I'm sorry."
Mu Xiaochuan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise, "Oh my, what's happened to Nephew Ye? Weren't you quite imposing just now?"
"You!" Ye Lingxuan trembled with anger, but under her master's stern gaze, she could only swallow her pride.
Mu Qingyao took a deep breath and bowed slightly to the surrounding disciples, "It's my fault for not teaching properly, and I've made a fool of myself."
This action stunned everyone present. The esteemed Hall Master of the Elixir Hall was actually apologizing to the disciples! Mu Xiaochuan was also momentarily taken aback; he hadn't expected Mu Qingyao to be capable of such humility, proving she was indeed remarkable.
Mu Qingyao straightened up and gave Mu Xiaochuan a deep look, "Junior Brother Mu, the Sect Grand Tournament of Yunqi Peak is approaching. I hope your Heaven Vault Pavilion achieves good results." With that, she turned and left with Ye Lingxuan.
It wasn't until Mu Qingyao's figure disappeared into the distance that the disciples awoke as if from a dream. They hadn't expected that this newly established Elder Mu not only disciplined the little witch Ye Lingxuan but also managed to make both the Law Enforcement Hall Elder and the Elixir Hall Master back down. It was truly impressive!
Someone shouted "Elder Mu is mighty," and soon, cheers erupted one after another.
Mu Xiaochuan looked around at the disciples, their faces filled with admiration and gratitude. He felt a thrill inside but maintained a humble facade, "You're all too kind, just a small matter, hehe."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for making the protective master back down, earning the disciples' respect, feeling elated, and gaining 30 Thrill Points." The Thrill System's voice echoed in Mu Xiaochuan's mind, making his smile even brighter.
Su Qianmeng stood nearby, watching Mu Xiaochuan surrounded by the crowd, her eyes sparkling with a peculiar light. She quietly approached and whispered, "Thank you, Elder Mu."
Mu Xiaochuan turned his head and saw the girl's slightly red eyes, and his heart softened, "It was nothing, you're welcome."
As the sun set, the disciples gradually dispersed. By the time Mu Xiaochuan returned to the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, night had already fallen. The shadows of the bamboo swayed in the courtyard, and a gentle breeze carried a faint spiritual aura.
"Elder Mu is back!" Su Yao came out to greet him, a bright smile on her face. Behind her, Lin Yue approached quickly, carrying a basin of warm water.
"Elder, you've worked hard. Please wash your face first." Lin Yue's voice was as gentle as water.
Mu Xiaochuan took the towel, feeling deeply moved by the meticulous care of the two maids. Who would have thought that seventy years ago, a middle-aged office worker laid off on Earth would now enjoy such treatment in the cultivation world?
At the dinner table, Su Yao and Lin Yue bustled about, one carefully feeding him soup, the other enthusiastically serving dishes, attending to him attentively.
"Elder Mu, we heard about today's events," Su Yao said excitedly, "You're amazing! You finally taught that unruly little witch a lesson."
"Not just that," Lin Yue added, equally excited, "even Elder Li from the Law Enforcement Hall and Hall Master Mu had to back down."
"Elder Mu, do you know," Su Yao couldn't contain her excitement, "your deeds are spreading not just on Yunqi Peak but also among disciples from other peaks. They're all envious that we have an elder who stands up for the disciples."
"Exactly, even the two of us are now looked up to by other disciples on Yunqi Peak."
...
The two girls chattered on, their eyes shining brightly with admiration.
Mu Xiaochuan smiled, "Alright, it's not that impressive, but remember, in front of outsiders, don't be too ostentatious."
"Yes, Elder," the two maids replied in unison.
After dinner, Su Yao and Lin Yue returned to the Outer Sect. Originally, Mu Xiaochuan was supposed to visit Liu Ruyan, but instead, he lay alone on his bed, pondering the day's events. The mention of the Sect Grand Tournament by Mu Qingyao before she left made him take it seriously. He hadn't cared much about these ranking competitions, but her deliberate mention made him feel the need to prepare.
"Heaven Vault Pavilion..." Mu Xiaochuan murmured to himself. Now that he was an elder of the Heaven Vault Pavilion and effectively its hall master, he should do something for it.
While he was deep in thought, a knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?" Mu Xiaochuan asked.
"Elder Mu, it's me, Su Yao," came Su Yao's voice from outside.
"Come in," Mu Xiaochuan said.
The door slowly opened, and Su Yao walked in. She wore a thin nightgown, her face flushed with a shy expression.
"Elder Mu, why didn't you go out to work tonight?" Su Yao asked softly.
"Oh, something came up suddenly, so I didn't go," Mu Xiaochuan replied.
"Elder Mu is always so busy," Su Yao remarked quietly.
"Hehe, yes, always busy," Mu Xiaochuan chuckled.
Su Yao bit her lip, mustering the courage to say, "Elder Mu, you're usually out working at night, and I don't get the chance to take care of you. Tonight, I'd like to stay and take care of you."