Oops, the princess is surrounded by the male protagonists

Chapter 587 Hua Yixiao, you bastard!

Then, Master Yinian supported Lingxuzi's arm and led him to sit down on the prayer mat.

"Now that you have returned safely, it is the greatest blessing for Zixiao Temple. As your teacher, I am getting old and my energy is waning; I have long intended to retire."

As he spoke, Master Yinian sat down on the futon opposite Lingxuzi.

"After this martial arts tournament concludes, I will formally pass on the position of sect leader to you, so that I can completely let go of worldly affairs, retire to the mountains and forests, devote myself to cultivation, and live a carefree life."

However, upon hearing this, Ling Xuzi showed no joy whatsoever. Instead, he seemed to be scalded by a raging fire and knelt down on the ground with a "plop" once again.

"No! Master! You mustn't! You can't pass the position of sect leader to me!"

He raised his head, his heterochromatic eyes surging with pain and shame, and spoke each word as if his voice were filled with tears.

“Master… I am not as virtuous as you imagine. I have been hiding something from you! I… I am not worthy to be the head of Zixiao Temple! I am not worthy to inherit your mantle! I am even less worthy of your trust!”

Seeing Ling Xuzi's tearful appearance, Master Yinian couldn't help but frown slightly, already sensing in his heart that what his disciple was about to reveal was no ordinary matter.

Ling Xuzi lay prostrate on the cold blue brick floor, his shoulders heaving violently. After a long while, he finally revealed the secret that had been buried deep in his heart for many years, a secret like a malignant tumor.

"Master... this disciple... this disciple is actually... a spy sent by Hua Yixiao, the leader of the Demonic Sect, to infiltrate Zixiao Temple many years ago!" His voice trembled, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth.

“He…he used the lives of my own brothers as leverage. I…I had no choice but to obey his orders and infiltrate the temple to relay his every move…I deserve to die!”

Ling Xuzi raised his head, his eyes brimming with tears, and looked at Yinian Zhenren, choking back sobs.

"But...but Master, over the years you have treated your disciple like your own child, teaching him with care and trust, and even gradually entrusted me with the important responsibilities of Zixiao Temple...Your kindness is as heavy as a mountain! Whenever I think of how I deceived you, my heart is torn apart and I feel ashamed!"

He took a deep breath, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders, his chest heaving, and continued speaking.

"Now, thanks to the mercy of Heaven, my brothers have all escaped Hua Yixiao's clutches and gained their freedom... This disciple has no more scruples. Today... today I will tell Master the whole truth in detail! Whether you punish me or not, or even expel me from the sect and cripple my martial arts, this disciple will have no complaints!"

After saying this, Ling Xuzi lowered his head deeply, closed his eyes tightly, and waited for his master's reprimand and punishment.

He knew that he had committed a grave crime of betraying his master and ancestors, and no amount of punishment could make up for his mistake.

However, the storm that Lingxuzi had foreseen did not come.

A warm, large hand gently landed on his head, stroking it slowly, just like when he was a child.

“My child…you’ve suffered so much these past years…”

The voice of Master Yinian rang out, without anger or disappointment, only deep heartache and sigh.

Ling Xuzi suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief. He stared blankly at his master, his voice trembling.

"Master?! You...you're not angry? You don't blame me for deceiving you for so many years? You don't blame me for...almost destroying Zixiao Temple?"

Master Yinian slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with complex emotions, including concern, pity, and even... a trace of barely perceptible self-reproach.

"Perhaps it is I who should apologize. If it weren't for that treacherous Hua Yixiao's desire to target me and shake the position of Zixiao Temple in the martial arts world, how could he have resorted to such despicable means to drag you innocent children into this vortex of martial arts strife, causing you to suffer such pain and torment from a young age? It is I who... have implicated you."

Hearing that his master not only did not blame him, but instead took the responsibility upon himself, Ling Xuzi's pent-up grievances and pain over the years burst forth instantly, and he could no longer hold back, bursting into tears.

He threw himself into Master Yinian's arms, hugging his master tightly like a child, and burst into tears.

"Master...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..."

Master Yinian quietly held him, gently patting his back, tears welling up in his eyes.

Inside the quiet room, only suppressed sobs mingled with the scent of sandalwood.

After Lingxuzi cried for a while and his emotions gradually calmed down, Yinian Zhenren spoke softly.

"Alright, Lingxu, there's no need to be sad anymore. Now that your brothers are free, you no longer need to be controlled by others. From now on, let go of your burdens and do what you truly want to do. Whatever path you choose..."

Master Yinian paused for a moment, then added in a gentle tone.

"...The gates of Zixiao Temple will always be open for you. As long as you wish, this place will always be your home."

“Master…!”

Ling Xuzi wept uncontrollably, and could only kowtow three times heavily to Yinian Zhenren. His forehead touched the cold ground, making a dull sound, as if he was thanking this mountain of kindness, or as if he was saying goodbye to his past self.

Then, he stood up, wiped away his tears, and his eyes became incredibly determined.

He took one last look at his master, his eyes filled with gratitude and reluctance, then resolutely turned around and strode towards the door, his figure quickly disappearing into the deep night outside.

Silence returned to the quiet room.

Master Yinian remained in the same posture, sitting there motionless, like a statue.

Suddenly, he raised his hand and pressed it hard against his forehead, his body trembling almost imperceptibly, and his previously peaceful breathing instantly became disordered.

After a long while, Yinian Zhenren slowly lowered his hand and raised his head. His eyes, which were originally peaceful and as calm as an ancient well, were now filled with terrifying red blood vessels!

A violent aura, completely different from his usual ethereal and refined demeanor, flashed by in an instant. He slammed his fist on the coffee table beside him, making a muffled "bang" sound, and the hard mahogany coffee table was instantly smashed to pieces!

Master Yinian squeezed out a low, hate-filled curse through gritted teeth, his voice hoarse and filled with a world-destroying rage:

"Hua Yixiao...you bastard!!!"