Chapter 1243

Zhu Yanyi nodded in agreement. "That is exactly what I thought." She took a bite of the rice cake.

"Did Uncle Shun Yao give you these rice cakes last year during your peacekeeping mission?" Yan Aohan asked, taking a bite as well.

"Yes. It was not safe to eat them openly during the mission, so I saved them. Things in my Ruyi Space do not spoil," Zhu Yanyi explained, taking another bite. The snake soup made the rice cake taste even better.

"It is quite delicious," Yan Aohan admitted. Rice cakes went well with everything.

"It smells so good."

A young man approached. He was dressed as a herb gatherer, but his aura was hard to hide. Seeing Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan, he looked at the pot shyly.

"Hello. I am Gu Jun, a student from the Pharmacy Department of the Sage Academy."

Zhu Yanyi had never heard of the Sage Academy. Yan Aohan, however, had.

"I did not expect the Sage Academy to still exist," Yan Aohan said with a sigh.

Gu Jun was surprised. "You know about the Sage Academy?"

Zhu Yanyi looked at Yan Aohan curiously. She did not know what this academy was, but seeing Yan Aohan’s expression, she guessed it had a significant background.

Yan Aohan ignored Gu Jun and spoke only to Zhu Yanyi. "The Sage Academy is in a special space, like a small secret realm. It was created by sages thousands of years ago and is maintained by them. It preserves various Chinese traditions. Many current traditions in China come from there. It is easy to enter, but you must pass various exams to leave. Otherwise, you cannot exit."

"I see," Zhu Yanyi understood immediately. Strange things happened in this world, so a Sage Academy existing was not too surprising. "Is this special space like the secret realms in novels?"

"Not that magical," Gu Jun said, seeing Yan Aohan truly understood. "There are formations at the entrance. To leave, you must pass exams, including one on formations. Only then can you enter and leave freely. Our academy is actually quite nice."

"It is nice, but I heard there are fewer than ten students now," Yan Aohan replied directly.

Gu Jun laughed. "Who are you? How do you know so much about our academy?"

"Yan Aohan," he said calmly.

Gu Jun froze. "The head of the Yan family, the National Guardian?"

Surprised to meet Yan Aohan here, Gu Jun stood up and performed an ancient bow. "Student Gu Jun of the Sage Academy pays respects to Lord Yan."

Zhu Yanyi was surprised that Gu Jun knew Yan Aohan’s identity. She studied her for a moment.

Gu Jun noticed her gaze. she knew the Yan family’s identity was mysterious. "Our academy may not compare to the National Guardian families, but we are an ancient institution. We know the names of the heads of the Guardian families."

Zhu Yanyi shrugged and continued eating her snake soup and rice cake. The smell made Gu Jun swallow hard.

"May I taste this delicacy?" he asked.

Zhu Yanyi looked at Yan Aohan. Yan Aohan handed Gu Jun an empty bowl. "Serve yourself."

Gu Jun did not hesitate. He served himself and ate, nodding approvingly. "I have been in these mountains for two months. I have forgotten what good food tastes like."

"You can find ingredients anywhere. There are many mountain delicacies here," Zhu Yanyi said directly. It seemed unlikely she had nothing to eat.

"There are many, but my cooking skills are terrible. What I make tastes bad," Gu Jun said, looking distressed. He wanted to enjoy himself, but his cooking was shameful.

After finishing the meal, Zhu Yanyi started brewing tea. It was getting late, so they decided to rest there instead of continuing their journey.

"Mr. Gu, did you come to Wudang Mountain to gather herbs?" Yan Aohan asked.

"Lord Yan is correct. I am here for herbs. Also, please do not call me Mr. Gu. Just call me Gu Jun," Gu Jun said respectfully.

Zhu Yanyi was surprised by her title for Yan Aohan. "Why do you call Aohan 'Lord Yan'?"

Seeing Zhu Yanyi use Yan Aohan’s name directly, Gu Jun realized they had a close relationship. "To be honest, the Yan family is very mysterious. The current head has many legends since birth. He is wise, decisive, and fair. So, we respectfully call him Lord Yan."

Zhu Yanyi nodded indifferently and said to Yan Aohan, "That title suits you."

Yan Aohan raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying. Zhu Yanyi nodded seriously, agreeing with the title. "See? In the capital, you are called the Capital Venerable Yanluo. Now Mr. Gu calls you Lord Yan. Isn't that the same as Venerable Yanluo?"

Yan Aohan smiled helplessly. "You just like to tease me. It is just a title, but you found so many reasons for it."

Watching their interaction, Gu Jun was stunned. Although Sage Academy students rarely left, she knew Yan Aohan was not interested in women. He had once outsmarted those who tried to trap him. People guessed that no woman could make him fall in love. But seeing Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan together, Gu Jun understood. This girl must be the one Yan Aohan had chosen.

"May I ask your name, young lady?" Gu Jun asked politely.

Young lady? The term felt very old-fashioned. Zhu Yanyi smiled inwardly but said, "I am Zhu Yanyi. Just call me Yanyi. Calling me 'young lady' feels awkward."

"Zhu Yanyi? Are you the legendary Little Divine Doctor praised in China?" Gu Jun asked, looking at her with curiosity.