Chapter 427: 427. The last time

Translator: 549690339

Gu Ling and Old Mu caught up with Qiao Jing on the fifth day of their departure from Xingluo Island. Their boat was smaller and faster, and they took turns sailing without stopping in between.

When Qiao Jing received the report that a boat was approaching, he thought it was someone chasing after them. He immediately ordered everyone to be on guard and prepared to face the enemy, but then he heard the voice of Old Mu.

Qiao Jing was overjoyed and shouted, “Friendly people, don’t fight!”

He and Cen Man stood at the stern of the ship, watching the small boat approach. Old Mu waved at them, and there was a tall figure – who else could it be other than Gu Ling?

Cen Man’s eyebrows relaxed, and she took a long breath. “That’s great, that’s great! I knew Gu would be able to save them without any problem!”

Gu Ling and Old Mu abandoned their small boat and boarded Qiao Jing’s boat. Seeing Gu Ling holding a pot in his hand, Qiao Jing’s mouth twitched, “Did you take that from Xingluo Island?”

“Weapon.” Gu Ling raised the iron pot, pretending to hit Qiao Jing’s head with it.

Cen Man laughed and took the pot, “Stop fooling around. Your eyes are red; you certainly haven’t slept for several days. Go take a rest.”

Qiao Jing didn’t order to continue sailing and pulled Gu Ling aside to ask, “Should we go forward, or turn back and fight?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “Let’s head back to Jiaye City first.”

Qiao Jing looked in the direction of Xingluo Island, where he could only see the line where the sea and sky met, and sighed, “That’s fine. We’re out of explosives, and after wandering the sea for so long, I see that everyone is low on energy. Going back to fight won’t be as smooth as last time.” He gave the order to move forward at full speed.

Gu Ling then met Old Bai and the Ying siblings. Their complexions were okay, but they had lost their past memories.

It was only then that Gu Ling learned of their memory loss, and his eyes grew sharp as he thought of Yan Shiba, who he had saved from Sheng Yue’s hands and sent back to the capital city.

So many people losing their memories could not be a coincidence. If Yan Shiba had learned some secrets about Xingluo Island or Sheng Yue and had his memory erased, it wouldn’t be a problem. However, if Sheng Yue had ulterior motives and wanted to use Yan Shiba for something…

Ying Ying’s personality hadn’t changed, and she was still bold and forthright even after losing her memory. She had already heard Qiao Jing talk about Su Liang and Gu Ling’s affairs and looked forward to meeting Su Liang soon.

Ying Ye had been injured years ago and had some mental problems, so he was very dependent on Ying Ying. He was wary of strangers, never letting anyone touch him and always crouching behind Ying Ying in silence. Gu Ling tried to take his pulse, but gave up.

Gu Ling checked Ying Ying and Old Bai’s conditions but saw no signs of poisoning. He suspected that their amnesia was caused by Yue Mei, or she provided the drugs to Xingluo Island, similar to Lian Shan’s condition before.

The most emotionally unstable person was Old Bai. He was always trying hard to remember, unable to bear the blankness in his mind. He kept pounding his head and spent most of his time in restless frustration.

Old Mu’s eyebrows knit together, and he pulled at Old Bai’s hand, “Don’t hit yourself anymore! Whatever you want to know, I can tell you!”

“Who are you… I don’t know you…” Old Bai frowned as he looked at Old Mu.

Old Mu said irritatedly, “We’ve known each other for decades, I know everything about you!”

“Really?” Old Bai looked at Qiao Jing for confirmation.

Qiao Jing nodded and said solemnly, “Yes, the two of you have been good friends for half a lifetime. Elder Mu went to Xingluo Island to save you before.”

Gu Ling had already learned from Old Mu about how he and Cen Man were captured on their previous mission to save people on Xingluo Island. At that time, they sneaked onto the island and hadn’t even entered the City Lord Mansion when they ran into Sheng Yue out of bad luck. They were in a very secluded forest, and they had no idea that Sheng Yue was sitting on a tree above their heads during daylight, doing who knows what… In the end, unsurprisingly, Sheng Yue used a stun bomb on them.

Old Mu and Cen Man didn’t see Mo Yan, and when they woke up, they were in the dungeon with Sheng Yue standing in front of them, telling them not to mess around. He wouldn’t kill them but would erase their memories.

Old Mu and Cen Man had no choice but to endure and wait for a chance to escape. They didn’t see Old Bai and Ying siblings on Xingluo Island, and when Old Mu asked about them, Sheng Yue didn’t answer.

As for what happened to Old Bai and the Ying siblings, no one knew since all three had lost their memories.

Cen Man prepared some hot soup and rice for Gu Ling and Old Mu, and Gu Ling went to sleep afterwards.

When he woke up, it was already dark. Gu Ling sat up, surrounded by pitch-black darkness. He could hear people whispering outside as if they didn’t want to disturb him, along with the clear sound of the waves.

Gu Ling had a nightmare in which Su Liang and Gu Xiaonuan were captured by Sheng Yue. He felt a bit cold, as though the sea breeze had blown in.

“Are you awake?” Qiao Jing’s voice.

Gu Ling stood up, “How many days till we reach Jiaye City?”

Qiao Jing thought for a moment, “Probably seven or eight days.”

“I’ll go ahead.” Gu Ling came out of the cabin, took a deep breath, and the sea breeze was cool.

Qiao Jing was startled, “Will you go alone?”

“Yes.” Gu Ling nodded, “I’m worried about my family. Sheng Yue might have gone to the capital city.”

Qiao Jing’s expression changed abruptly. He had been focusing on Xingluo Island and hadn’t considered this possibility.

“It’s good if you go back first, just in case…” Qiao Jing sighed, “But you can’t go alone. Let Elder Cen accompany you back so you can look out for each other.” Old Bai couldn’t leave Old Mu now.

“Alright.” Gu Ling nodded and instructed Qiao Jing, “Once you return to Jiaye City, set up defenses near the shorelines of Nanping City and Jiaye City where you can land, as well as on the side of the former Yin Country. Prohibit the common people from going out to sea to fish, and treat all boats as coming from Xingluo Island. If any boat appears, don’t allow them to approach the shore. Now that the hostages are gone, they might come back to capture people soon.”

Qiao Jing said solemnly, “I understand. Now the thing we lack the least is soldiers. I will make arrangements as soon as I land.”

“My master can make explosives and other weapons. Let him prepare them for when the time comes.” Gu Ling said that Old Mu’s stay was just in time to be useful.

When Cen Man found out that Gu Ling wanted to go home with her ahead of time, she didn’t ask any questions and quickly prepared a few days’ worth of dried food and water. They had emergency boats on their ship, and after lowering one into the water, the two of them left the team and went ahead.

“Don’t worry too much, Xiaogu. Xiaoliang is always cautious and will be fine.” Cen Man saw Gu Ling’s nervousness and tried to comfort him.

Gu Ling looked up at the bright moon in the night sky without saying anything.

Yesterday, they met Chéng Yún’s master uncle Pǔchéng at Huguo Temple, and today, in the afternoon, Pǔchéng and Chéng Yún came to Su Mansion.

Unfortunately, Su Liang was about to take the children to Duke Qin’s Mansion for a banquet. Old Master Qin had added another great-grandson, who was having his full moon celebration today.

Upon hearing the news, Pu Cheng smiled and said, “We are the ones being rude for disturbing you. Shall we come again tomorrow?”

Su Liang said that tomorrow would be fine.

Pu Cheng brought a small flower he had picked while coming down the mountain and stuck it in Gu Xiaonuan’s hair, which was very cute. Then he left with Cheng Yun.

Yan Shiba said she wouldn’t go, so Su Liang asked Ren Dong to watch her at home. Everyone else, including Qiao Cong and Nangong Qian, went together.

The full moon party at Duke Mansion was bustling, and there were many children. Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu had become the kings of children, leading a group of little ones to play happily.

Gu Xiaonuan was the most popular one besides the full moon baby. The more Su Liang heard people say Gu Xiaonuan looked just like her father, the more she missed her great god at home.

Leaving Duke Qin’s Mansion in the afternoon, Su Liang held Gu Xiaonuan in her arms and rode the carriage back home, while Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu rode horses outside.

Gu Xiaonuan was tired from playing and dozed off. Su Liang gently coaxed her, and suddenly heard Gu Xiaonuan murmur, “Mom.”

Su Liang immediately froze, “Gu Xiaonuan, what did you just call me?”

Gu Xiaonuan, with her little head rubbing against Su Liang’s chest, found the most comfortable position and fell asleep…

When they got home, Gu Xiaonuan still hadn’t woken up. Su Liang put her in the cradle and stayed by it, waiting for Gu Xiaonuan to wake up and see if she would call her mother again.

In fact, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu had been teaching Gu Xiaonuan to talk recently, but she seemed to think it was a game and wouldn’t follow her two brothers in learning to speak.

Su Liang didn’t mind; it would be even better if Gu Xiaonuan didn’t start speaking until Gu Ling came back. That way, Gu Ling wouldn’t be heartbroken when he came back to find Gu Xiaonuan speaking everything but not recognizing him.

Finally, Su Liang saw Gu Xiaonuan’s thick eyelashes tremble and knew she was about to wake up. She gently shook the cradle.

Gu Xiaonuan opened her eyes, blinked, and Su Liang approached her, uttering two simple words, “Call mom.”

Gu Xiaonuan chuckled and climbed up, leaning in and giving Su Liang a kiss.

Su Liang: …That’s not what she wanted.

Then, she saw Gu Xiaonuan’s small hand pointing at the portrait of Gu Ling that was hanging above her crib, and clearly called out “Dad.”

Su Liang was shocked. She was worried that Gu Xiaonuan would forget Gu Ling, so she had hung his portrait for her to see. Could it be that because they went to the Duke Mansion today, people kept telling Gu Xiaonuan that she looked like her father, which actually taught her to call “Dad” instead?

But why isn’t she calling “Mom”? Was the call on the way back an illusion?

“Call me Mom,” Su Liang picked up Gu Xiaonuan, pointed at herself, and gave her instruction again.

Gu Xiaonuan kissed Su Liang again

By the third time Su Liang was seriously teaching Gu Xiaonuan, it was as if Gu Xiaonuan suddenly understood, and called out very loudly, “Mom!”

Su Liang instantly felt as if her heart was filled. This feeling was intriguing and hard to describe.

This was a day worth commemorating, Gu Xiaonuan started talking. When Su Liang told Gu Ling about today’s events afterward, Gu Ling was happy that his daughter had never forgotten him. However, he and Su Liang had a disagreement on whether Gu Xiaonuan’s first word was mom or dad?

Su Liang believed she had misheard in the carriage, and Gu Xiaonuan first called dad. But, Gu Ling insisted that Gu Xiaonuan called mom first.

At dinner time, Su Liang announced an important matter, and Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu both sat up straight to listen carefully. Then Su Liang looked at Gu Xiaonuan, pointed at herself, giving her an instruction.

Gu Xiaonuan immediately understood, and called out “Mom”

Qiao Cong clapped his hands in praise, “Nuannuan can talk now! So smart! Well said!”

Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu gathered around Gu Xiaonuan, competing to have her call them brother. Qiao Cong grabbed the two children and placed them behind him, then leaned forward with a bright smile, pointing at himself, “Master, call me master.”

“Master!” Gu Xiaonuan called out sweetly.

Qiao Cong was so satisfied that he could hardly stop smiling.

After Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu grumbled for a bit, Gu Xiaonuan finally called them “brother.”

Both children were very happy and said in unison, “Little sister called me brother!” Then they looked at each other and began arguing over whom Gu Xiaonuan was actually calling. Normally, Zhengzheng was very much like the big brother, and would give in to Ji Xiaoshu on many things, but he was unyielding on this matter, saying that Gu Xiaonuan was calling him.

“Both of you are brothers, she was calling both of you.” Su Liang ended the childish dispute between the children, “You should teach her to call you big brother and second brother. See if she can tell the difference. First, eat.”

The two children always listened to Su Liang, and obediently returned to their seats. Ji Xiaoshu suddenly widened his eyes, “Oh no! Little sister can’t call dad yet, master will be so heartbroken when he finds out!”

Su Liang chuckled lightly, “The first thing she called out was dad.”

“Really?” Qiao Cong was a bit skeptical.

“Really.” Su Liang said seriously.

At night, Ren Dong went to deliver hot water to Yan Shiba and found her smiling. This was quite rare since Ren Dong was usually a reserved person.

“Is there some happy news?” Yan Shiba asked.

Ren Dong smiled and nodded, “The little master can speak now.”

“That’s great.” Yan Shiba nodded slightly.

The next day, Pu Cheng and Cheng Yun came to Su Mansion again.

Upon hearing that Gu Xiaonuan could speak, Pu Cheng wanted to teach her to call him master, but was stopped by Qiao Cong, “Xiaogu hasn’t agreed yet, she can’t call!”

Pu Cheng chuckled, “I hope Benefactor Gu returns soon.”

Today’s weather was perfect, with a clear blue sky and a gentle breeze.

Qiao Cong had laid thick cushions by the lake, and Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu took off their shoes to play on them; Gu Xiaonuan was also carried over by Qiao Cong and placed on the cushions.

Su Liang entertained Pu Cheng and Cheng Yun at a window seat on the first floor of Yuanming Pavilion, serving them tea and specially prepared vegetarian snacks and homegrown fruits.

Noticing that Cheng Yun was continually glancing outside, Su Liang smiled, “You can go outside and join them.”

Cheng Yun was somewhat tempted, but he also felt a bit embarrassed, being an adult and a monk.

“Go on, no one will laugh at you. The children all like you.” Pu Cheng got up and pushed Cheng Yun out.

Pu Cheng then returned to his seat, took a sip of tea, and nodded slightly, “I almost forgot that you are now the head of the Ning family; this tea is quite good.”

“If Master Pu Cheng likes it, take a pack of tea leaves when you leave.” Su Liang smiled.

Pu Cheng shook his head, “Don’t call me master; it makes me sound like an old monk. Just call me Pu Cheng.”

“Then, Uncle Pu Cheng?” Su Liang chuckled. After all, he was an elder.

Pu Cheng laughed, “Good, good, that’s better.” Saying so, Pu Cheng looked outside; Ji Xiaoshu held a model train and was pushing it around on the ground.

Pu Cheng looked back and said, “Actually, I intended for Xiaoyun to leave the monastery, but he was unwilling. It was me who brought him to Ping’an Temple, and he only became a monk for the sake of living there. He’s still young, and I hope he can have a different life, especially since he has interesting friends like you. It would be a pity if he returned to the temple to burn incense and recite scriptures for the rest of his life.”

Su Liang asked, “Does Uncle Pu Cheng know about Cheng Yun’s background?”

Pu Cheng nodded, “He is the orphan of a friend I had before I became a monk. It’s my fault; I’ve been traveling the world for years and haven’t taken good care of him.”

“Why didn’t Uncle Pu Cheng bring Cheng Yun along to travel?” Su Liang smiled and asked.

Pu Cheng was startled, “I thought he was too young and I feared I couldn’t take care of him… you’re right, I should have brought him with me to travel, so his mind wouldn’t be filled with just Buddhist Dharma. I brought him to the capital city this time, saying it was to pay respects to my elder brother Pu Hui, but, in fact, I wanted him to meet you all and ask for your help in persuading Xiaoyun to leave the monastery. Since I myself am a monk, whatever I say doesn’t work.”

“Can Uncle Pu Cheng tell me about his life before becoming a monk? I’m just curious, and it’s alright if you don’t want to talk about it. Pretend I never asked.” Su Liang was genuinely curious.

Pu Cheng sighed with a melancholic expression, “It’s just that my family was destroyed and my life was ruined; there’s nothing to talk about. I haven’t forgotten the past even though I became a monk. Perhaps I’ve been deceiving myself, thinking that by shaving my head and entering Buddhism, I could start a new life. Over the years, I’ve always been traveling, unwilling to settle in one place because once I stayed somewhere for too long, it felt like I had a home, but I don’t have a home anymore, and I don’t want to have one again… In fact, the reason I didn’t keep Xiaoyun by my side was because seeing him reminded me of my old friends…”

Seeing that Pu Cheng’s eyes suddenly reddened, Su Liang sighed softly and refilled his cup with hot tea, “I’m sorry for bringing up your past sorrows.”

“It’s alright,” Pu Cheng took a few sips of tea and smiled again. “My Buddhist mind is impure, and this is how my life will be. But there’s still hope for Xiaoyun to lead a happier life. I’m counting on you.”

Su Liang nodded, “I’ll give it a try. I really like Cheng Yun; if he’s willing to leave the monastery, that would be great.”

Pu Cheng and Cheng Yun had a vegetarian meal at Su Mansion, cooked by Su Liang herself, and it tasted great. Afterwards, the two returned to Huguo Temple in the afternoon.

Pu Cheng pushed the door open and entered, quickly turning to close it again.

“Has father made a decision?” a deep voice sounded not far away.

Pu Cheng’s face darkened slightly, “Ayue, stop this. I won’t let you hurt Su Liang. I’ve told you that her mother saved your mother back then. We owe her a great debt.”

“Her maternal grandfather killed my mother. How do you account for that?” Sheng Yue’s face emerged from the shadows, his eyes cold as ice.

Pu Cheng shook his head, “What you are planning to do will not succeed.”

“Whether I succeed or not, I won’t give up.” Sheng Yue said coldly, “I want Gu Ling, but I won’t hurt Su Liang. I promise she won’t be harmed afterward. How about that? Even if Father doesn’t help me, I won’t back down. If I die, Father won’t have to worry about me anymore.”

Pu Cheng’s expression grew even more distressed, and after a long silence, he let out a deep sigh, “Remember what you said. I’ll help you, but for the last time.”