Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

The sea breeze seemed to freeze at that moment.

Guo Fu had her back to her mother, her body trembling slightly.

Her face was flushed red from her ears to her neck, and she almost buried her head in her chest. She didn't dare to turn around, let alone open her mouth.

Yang Guo had already turned around to face Huang Rong. After the initial slight fluctuation in his eyes, he quickly regained his composure, even showing a hint of calmness.

He bowed slightly, his tone as respectful as ever: "Master Gan."

Huang Rong's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, not missing the slight unnaturalness beneath his calm demeanor, nor the possible traces of moisture on his lips.

Her heart felt as if it had been gently tugged, a surge of bittersweet emotion welling up within her, but more than anything, a complex and knowing understanding that she had anticipated.

She didn't speak immediately, nor did she rebuke; she simply walked forward slowly.

Her gaze shifted from Yang Guo, past her daughter's embarrassed back that seemed to shrink away, and finally landed on the open picture book on the ground.

The exquisite and delicate paintings, and the bold and explicit depictions, are displayed without any concealment under the sunlight.

Huang Rong's breathing paused almost imperceptibly.

Even though she was a married woman and well-traveled, seeing such a thing so directly, especially in such an awkward situation, still made her cheeks flush instantly and her heart skip a beat.

She immediately looked away, but certain overly vivid details in the painting had already been imprinted in her mind, resonating secretly with some deep-seated memories, causing a strange tingling sensation to rise in her heart.

She forced herself to remain calm and bent down to pick up the picture book.

It feels slightly heavy to the touch, the paper is of excellent quality, and the painting is indeed exquisitely crafted.

She glanced at it twice and quickly closed it.

Hearing the noise, Guo Fu couldn't help but peek through her fingers. She saw her mother pick up the picture book, glance at it, and then close it. She was so embarrassed that her toes curled up, and she let out an unconscious whimper, wishing she could disappear on the spot.

She glanced at Yang Guo again, only to see a faint smile on his lips, as if he wasn't nervous at all. This made her both annoyed and confused.

Yang Guo was indeed smiling as he quietly looked at Huang Rong.

Huang Rong held the picture album, neither asking questions nor scolding anyone immediately.

She didn't even look at the cover of the picture book again, but simply held it gently in her hand.

Her gaze swept over the two young men again, and she took a deep breath.

"Fu'er." Her voice rang out.

Guo Fu trembled, slowly turned around, her head still lowered, her voice barely audible: "Mother...I..."

"No need to say anything more."

Huang Rong interrupted her, her tone not carrying much blame, but rather a faint weariness and understanding.

"Guo'er is exceptionally talented and highly skilled in martial arts, and you spend every day with him. As you grow older, it is only natural for you to develop feelings for him."

She paused, then turned her gaze to Yang Guo, her eyes deep and unfathomable. "Guo'er, are you the same?"

Yang Guo met her gaze and nodded frankly: "Yes. Sister Fu is innocent and pure-hearted, and I... truly admire her."

He didn't use "like," but rather the more formal "admire," his tone sincere.

When Guo Fu heard him admit it himself, and in front of her mother, she felt a sweet feeling at first, but then she was overwhelmed by immense embarrassment, and she lowered her head even further.

Looking at them, Huang Rong felt an even stronger pang of sorrow in her heart.

Yes, there were only the three of them on the island. Yang Guo was so outstanding, and Fu'er was just beginning to fall in love. It was only natural that they would develop feelings for each other every day.

Who can she blame?

Is it because Fu'er is being unreasonable?

Is it because Guo'er is too outstanding?

I still blame myself... for keeping him in the first place and setting up this ambiguous master-disciple relationship?

She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her eyes had regained their usual clarity and rationality. However, the blush on her cheeks had not completely faded, adding a rare touch of beauty to her dignified appearance.

"The pleasures of love between men and women are a natural law."

Her voice calmed down, carrying a hint of instruction, "However, one must act with propriety and restraint. Broad daylight, mountain peaks, and wilderness are not... suitable places. Fu'er, you must remember the proper conduct of a young lady. Guo'er, as your senior brother, you should be even more composed and set an example for Fu'er."

These words not only pointed out the inappropriateness of their behavior, but also offered understanding and tolerance, and set out the rules.

Guo Fu nodded repeatedly, feeling both grateful that her mother hadn't scolded her harshly and deeply ashamed.

Yang Guo replied, "Master's teachings are correct, I have remembered them."

Huang Rong nodded slightly, her gaze returning to the picture book in her hands.

"As for this item..." She waved the picture book, her gaze sweeping across Yang Guo's face. Seeing the calmness and even a hint of expectation in his eyes, her heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, trying to keep her tone as normal as possible.

"The painting is passable, but the content... is too explicit and revealing, not suitable for self-cultivation. Fu'er is too young to see this. I'll keep it for you for now."

As she spoke, she naturally tucked the picture book into her wide sleeves, her movements fluid and graceful.

However, the slight redness at the base of her ears betrayed that her heart was not entirely unmoved.

Guo Fu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was curious about how her mother would deal with the book that made her blush, she was just grateful that it wasn't in her hands or in Brother Yang's hands and that her mother wouldn't see it.

Yang Guo's smile deepened; Huang Rong's action and reason for "confiscating" him were truly adorable.

Seeing that the matter was temporarily put aside, Huang Rong straightened her expression and revealed her other purpose for coming here:

"I came to find you because I just received an urgent letter from your Uncle Guo in Xiangyang."

Upon hearing this, Guo Fu immediately looked up, forgetting her earlier embarrassment, and asked with concern, "Father sent a letter? What happened in Xiangyang?"

Yang Guo also composed himself and listened attentively.

Huang Rong nodded, a hint of worry and seriousness appearing between her brows:

"The Mongol army has been making frequent unusual movements recently, showing signs of a large-scale invasion southward. The defense of Xiangyang is under strain, and there are undercurrents in the martial arts world. In his letter, Brother Jing said that he has sent out invitations to many heroes, intending to hold a grand gathering of heroes in Xiangyang to discuss the strategy of resisting the Mongols. He... hopes that I can go to Xiangyang as soon as possible to assist him in taking charge of the overall situation and stabilizing the people's hearts."

She looked at Yang Guo and Guo Fu: "The situation is urgent, we can't delay any longer. My mind is made up, we will set off for Xiangyang in three days. Fu'er, you must pack your things carefully these next few days, and don't be playful anymore. Guo'er,"

She looked at Yang Guo with a complicated expression. "You should also prepare yourself. This trip to Xiangyang is not only to help your Uncle Guo, but also a great opportunity for you to experience the martial arts world and meet the heroes of the land. You've learned enough of the martial arts of Peach Blossom Island; it's time to go out into a wider world to prove yourself and explore."

Leaving Peach Blossom Island, we head to the turbulent Xiangyang, entering the true vortex of the martial world and the grand scheme of things.

Yang Guo felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that his peaceful cultivation time on the island was about to end and a new chapter was about to begin.

He bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice steady and powerful: "Your disciple obeys! I will do my utmost to help Uncle Guo and Master Gan fight against foreign aggression and defend Xiangyang!"

Guo Fu also became excited. She could see her father and adventure in the martial world with Brother Yang. Her previous shyness faded considerably: "That's great! Mother, we can definitely help Father!"

Huang Rong looked at her daughter, whose attention was instantly drawn to the events in Xiangyang, and then at Yang Guo, whose expression was resolute and whose demeanor was already extraordinary. She was filled with emotion.

She exhaled softly and looked northwest, towards Xiangyang.

"Go back and prepare well. We'll set off in three days."