Mudleg Alley, inside the secret passage.
Mu Qing just introduced Wang Yeqing to Zhang Zhiyuan, and a slender figure immediately rushed out from behind him and squeezed to Mu Qing's side: "Brother!"
There was a lot of resentment in the crisp voice.
Zhang Shaoyao gently rubbed Mu Qing's arm with the tip of his straight nose and sighed contentedly. Just based on this aura, there was no possibility that she might mistake Mu Qing.
"What are you doing? You're so grown up now." Mu Qing had a relaxed smile in his eyes, but his voice was pretending to be serious.
Zhang Zhiyuan looked at this scene and explained with a smile: "If you don't come today, I won't be able to stop her."
Calculating the time, he had left the girl here for almost half a month on the grounds of safety. Mu Qing sighed softly and said apologetically: "The situation outside is still very complicated. Although it is boring here, it is very safe. .”
"What about master? I can come with her. Uncle, here, here..."
"I don't see any light here all day long. With Shaoyao's temperament, she won't be here for long. You'd better take her out this time."
Zhang Shaoyao was overjoyed when he heard this, and then he raised his little face buried on Mu Qing's shoulder and winked at Mu Qing.
Mu Qing showed hesitation, but Zhang Zhiyuan looked at his expression and said calmly: "Since you brought Shaoyao back to Suzaku City, you must have plans to let her grow up, so staying here with me now will delay her."
As he spoke, his eyes fell on the girl, and he said happily: "There are good young people like Shaoyao among the descendants of my Zhang family, so you can't waste your time here in vain."
For Zhang Zhiyuan, Shaoyao, who had already reached the third level of spiritual life at the age of sixteen, was undoubtedly a genius. If such a genius is always in a safe environment, he will become worse than the younger generation who have experienced some hardships. For practitioners, this kind of waste of talent is not advisable.
The group of people walked and talked, and when they came to sit down in the secret room, Zhang Zhiyuan already knew Mu Qing's purpose.
He looked at the quiet little girl standing next to Wang Yeqing, nodded and said: "Since the young master and Mrs. Wang are interested, I naturally have no objection. However, I have already agreed with the parents nearby that this school will be closed for a period of time."
"Lock it for a while?" Mu Qing asked in surprise.
Wang Yeqing's eyes were looking at the huge tunnel along the way. Only then did he withdraw his thoughts, raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Is Mr. Zhang planning to come and help him?"
Zhang Zhiyuan, the former commander of the Guards.
Wang Yeqing remembered all the information Huai Fenghua said about this person, and had already determined that if Mu Qing wanted to succeed in the future, this person was an indispensable and important person.
"I don't dare to use the word sir. I'm just a common man with little courage." In the candlelight, Zhang Zhiyuan, who had silver threads on his temples, shook his head and smiled, and there was a bit of indifference in the corners of his wrinkled eyes.
"Oh? Isn't Mr. Zhang planning to close the school to help this kid?" Wang Yeqing's eyes were bright and he glanced at Mu Qing.
Zhuyeqing is a famous figure for a long time, so Zhang Zhiyuan has naturally heard about it.
I thought she was a woman who acted coldly and had a gloomy style, but the changed woman in front of me sat gracefully and dignifiedly, and spoke directly, and for no reason in this dark room, she seemed a bit upright and frank.
Zhang Zhiyuan looked a little more serious and sighed softly: "Second Miss also tested Zhang's attitude before, but I actually rejected him at that time."
Wang Yeqing nodded: "Mr. Zhang has been here to teach children how to read and write for these years. It is normal for him to have less fighting and revenge than before. The impact of the environment on people is always silent but profound. But when she told me about you , but I heard some other meanings in her words."
Seeing Zhang Zhiyuan frowning and looking at him, Wang Yeqing raised the corner of his mouth and said: "She doesn't have any intention of blaming or complaining. Maybe she feels that there are not many of her old friends alive now, so she thinks it would be good for you to let go of everything and spend the rest of your life like this." .”
Ah--
lay down?
Can you really let go?
Zhang Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes, and the secret room became silent. Wang Yeqing suddenly said at this moment: "But she and I also have some differences on this matter."
"Under the upheaval of the current situation, each of us is a player in the situation. The so-called bystanders have not been affected by the storm. If Mr. Zhang can really figure it out, helping Mu Qing get rid of Bai Hao will definitely be better than waiting passively. The result was much more refreshing.”
Zhang Zhiyuan came back to his senses, looked at Wang Yeqing with a bit more solemnity, and acknowledged: "I met Mrs. Wang for the first time. I didn't expect that you would guess what I was thinking after just a few words. This look really makes me sad." People admire it.”
He cupped his fists and faced Mu Qing, "Actually, Mrs. Wang's guess is right. The reason why I plan to close the school is to help the young master get rid of Bai Hao. But I have a question. I don't know if I can do it today." Here, find a clear answer?”
Wang Yeqing pursed his lips and smiled, but Mu Qing asked: "What's the question?"
Zhang Zhiyuan turned his head, looked into Mu Qing's eyes, and asked word for word: "I already roughly knew the young master's determination to take revenge that day. What I want to ask today is, after getting rid of Bai Hao, will the young master be willing to come?" To take the position of city lord?"
Mu Qing opened his mouth and was speechless.
In fact, ever since he was reminded by Wang Yeqing that the mystery of his life experience needed to be kept secret, he had been vaguely aware of this hidden undercurrent, but he did not expect that this question would be asked by someone on his side so quickly.
Are you willing?
Mu Qing asked himself, and spoke without belittling himself or being arrogant. In just a few months, because of his own relationship, there is indeed a force around him that cannot be underestimated.
But the more this happened, the more he discovered a problem of his own, especially when he stayed with Wang Yeqing, the more prominent his problem became.
Due to the limitations of his knowledge, he did not develop a perspective on the overall situation and did not have the ability to coordinate all parties.
What's more, he has no intention of doing so now.
After thinking about this, Mu Qing's eyes became clearer and he replied calmly: "The biggest hypothesis is that the current situation is unpredictable. One day I really have a chance to become the lord of Suzaku City."
Wang Yeqing's narrow and beautiful eyes were extremely bright. When he looked over, Mu Qing was leaning his back on the chair, putting his hands on the chair handles, squinting and taking a silent breath, as if he was experiencing the magic of that position in advance.
But when Mu Qing opened his eyes again, he laughed first, shook his head and said: "I am not willing to sit in a position like the Lord of the City of Suzaku City that can easily affect the lives and deaths of millions of people, and I don't have the ability to do it."
The expression on Zhang Zhiyuan's face did not reveal his attitude at this time. Seeing that Wang Yeqing did not speak, he looked at Mu Qing after thinking deeply and asked: "No one is destined to be a city lord from birth, even a male born into the Bai family's royal family , Destiny is also very different, but if you want to succeed, ambition and desire will support you to climb higher step by step."
Mu Qing nodded and said with a natural smile: "I really don't have this ambition. My biggest desire now is to escape from the Hidden Valley. If I waste my practice for this purpose, it will run counter to the goal I set from the beginning."
"Then Bai Hao's cultivation qualifications back then were average, only a second-grade one. Why do you think he has achieved his current cultivation level?" Wang Yeqing looked at Mu Qing and asked.
Following Wang Yeqing these days, Mu Qing has really learned a lot. He thought for a moment after hearing this, then looked at her with bright eyes and replied: "Suzaku City is the largest city in southern Xinjiang, and it is also a must for Tiannan medicinal materials to go north to the dynasty. Passing through the pass, he must have gained a lot of practice resources..."
Mu Qing's voice paused when he said this, and he already understood the other meaning of Wang Yeqing's words.
Wang Yeqing sighed softly and said with a smile: "Who said that the city lord has to do everything by himself? Then Xing Fei, the commander of the personal guards, and Xing Zuo that day, aren't these people his right-hand men? I think your boy is very capable of understanding. Gao, what’s missing now is someone who is really willing to help you.”
At this point, even the girl who was still dazed after trying so hard to listen also turned her eyes between Mu Qing and Zhang Zhiyuan.
Zhang Zhiyuan smiled slightly: "If there is a day when my long-cherished wish can be fulfilled, and if you really need it, how can I not be willing to do my meager efforts? But if I can build a school openly and honestly so that children from poor families can come to study, it will be even better. Comfort my wish.”
This was considered as a confession of his attitude. Wang Yeqing nodded gently to show respect to the man who had been carrying his long-cherished wish. He turned back to look at Mu Qing, who was still silent, and couldn't help but sigh softly: "After spending so long together, I Knowing that your boy is actually a person with no roots in his heart, do you think I am right?"
"Maybe it's what happened when you were a child, maybe it's the twelve years of training in Hidden Valley. In short, you don't know your future, do you?"
Zhang Shaoyao gently glanced at Wang Yeqing, walked to Mu Qing, squatted down his petite body, and put his head on Mu Qing's knees. Mu Qing calmed down and gently rubbed the girl's lips with his fingertips. With her hair in a bun, she sighed softly: "Maybe it's only bystanders who know better, but I still want to say that Madam is wrong."
Mu Qing's starry eyes shone brightly, and he said in a firm and calm tone: "When I was in Hidden Valley, I knew my future very well. I want to become a truly powerful person and protect the people I want to protect."
"It is true that if I become the city lord, my access to practice resources will undergo earth-shaking changes, but I don't want to bear such a big karma. Didn't Madam talk about the realm of transcendence? The karma of so many people lies with me. If it is entangled in the body, it may give rise to a huge amount of luck, but luck is always different from Tao. If you want to go far on your own path, you cannot be affected by these."
Because of Meng Zhang's relationship, what Mu Qing said greatly touched Wang Yeqing. He pursed his lips and smiled bitterly: "It is indeed too selfish, but..."
A few gleams of light flashed in Wang Yeqing's eyes, and he didn't know what he thought of. Finally, he gave up the persuasion and said with a smile: "Even the principles in this world are changing with the times, so it is useless to think so far now."
The atmosphere calmed down and Zhang Zhiyuan looked at Mu Qing: "The children have returned to their homes safely. Without further ado, can you arrange a place for them to stay?"
Mu Qing nodded in agreement, glanced at the little girl Zhao Qingqing who had been ignored, and said: "There happen to be two school-age children at home. From now on, the three of them will be taught together by Uncle Zhang."
Speaking of this job that he has been doing for more than ten years, Zhang Zhiyuan's face turned a little shy: "That's not three. I have three children and an adult here who want to go with me."
Zhang Zhiyuan stood up and led Mu Qing towards another room.
In this room, Mu Qing really didn't expect to see a few familiar people, the coachman Zhang Anping, the brother and sister he met in Mudleg Lane, Xu Anzhi and Xu Tinglan, and the remaining girl, staring at a pair of big black eyes, looking at The few people who came in were swept away and immediately rushed towards Mu Qing.
"Sister Shaoyao!"
"This is Jiu'er, my sister!"
Zhang Shaoyao narrowed his eyes into two crescents, raised his chin and said to Mu Qing.
After being teased by children of the same age, Zhao Qingqing finally regained some of her lively nature and played with them. Seeing this scene, Mu Qing's depressed mood felt much better today.
"Those two over there are my disciples. These are Zhang Anping's daughters. Do you know Zhang Anping?"
Zhang Zhiyuan glanced sideways at the swarthy man who came forward but huddled aside. Zhang Anping lowered his head and said to Mu Qing: "Young Master, you are always talkative and mean. If you want to fight or kill, just come at me."
Mu Qing glanced at Zhang Zhiyuan in surprise before hearing him say helplessly: "Anping is my cousin, but he almost killed the young master. I am also responsible for this matter."
The last time they met, it was a reunion of old friends and old grudges. This matter turned out to be a trivial matter. Zhang Zhiyuan told the whole story in eloquent words. Mu Qing and Wang Yeqing looked at each other and saw Bai Hao from this detail. The power of this person's methods.
"More than a month ago, I followed Uncle Anping and almost brought great risks to the children. Logically speaking, I am the most responsible for this matter. You two elders should stop arguing."
Zhang Anping saw that Mu Qing spoke without any blame, and the guilt and hesitation that had been lingering in his heart for many days completely disappeared. He turned his gaze to Mu Qing and said with a smile: "Sir, my eldest brother is indeed very good, but it's a pity that I have only scratched the surface of my training." , why don’t you arrange a housekeeper for the home after you go out, it’s best if Jiuer can be with me.”
Mu Qing didn't have much disgust with this man with a grin. Thinking that when he returned to Suzaku City after eighteen years, Shang Neng was involved in such a relationship, he couldn't help but secretly lament the arrangement of fate.
He smiled and said: "The guy who pulls the carriage is no longer good. If Uncle Anping doesn't mind, you can work as a steward in my house from now on."
Zhang Anping's eyes lit up. This position of steward really won his heart. He clapped his chest and promised: "Don't worry, sir. If someone offends someone from outside in the future, unless I die, I will never let him enter his home." step."
There were only three people when they came, but there were nine when they left. Fortunately, Zhang Anping, who was facing the streets and alleys of Zhuque City, was there. Although there were many of them, they returned to their residence in the east of the city without any danger.
