Time was the most merciless of all. Everything before his eyes continued to slip away slowly.
The sky gradually cleared. When early dawn arrived, Jia Jiyou prepared to leave. His sect had been extremely busy lately, competing with another sect to develop a secret realm. If they succeeded, their sect’s strength would rise significantly.
At the gate of the courtyard, Jia Jiyou laughed and said, “You two carry on. When my godson is born, the three of us will drink until we drop!” After signaling them to head back, he flew away.
Once Jia Jiyou had disappeared into the distance, Zhen Yongfu looked at Chen Chang’an, who was still standing motionless, and smiled. “Brother Chang’an, let’s go back.”
Chen Chang’an replied with a faint smile, “I’ll stand here a little longer.”
He was a sentimental man. At this moment, his emotions were difficult to calm. This parting truly would be forever. He would not live to see the child born.
After a while, he looked at Zhen Yongfu and said, “I’ll be leaving today as well. I plan to make a trip to the demon race.”
There were still many old friends he had to meet one last time. Traveling from here to the demon race would take ten days. With the little time he had left, he needed to save every moment he could.
Zhen Yongfu froze briefly, then smiled. “Alright. When my son is born, I’ll personally bring you an invitation. As his godfather, you must be the first to hold him!”
Chen Chang’an nodded with a smile, though a trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes. He would likely never see that day.
“By the way, Brother Chang’an, tell me honestly. Obtaining that Longevity Pill didn’t cost you anything else, right?”
Zhen Yongfu’s expression was unusually serious as he stared intently at Chen Chang’an’s face, trying to detect any sign of deceit.
Chen Chang’an smiled calmly. “If beating up that green old man counts as a price, then I suppose my hand hurts a little.”
Hearing this, Zhen Yongfu laughed. “That’s good. Thank you, Brother Chang’an.”
He expressed his gratitude once more with sincerity.
Chen Chang’an patted Zhen Yongfu’s shoulder. “We’re brothers. Don’t say such polite things. And promise me, live well for these next 1,000 years.”
Zhen Yongfu nodded heavily. “I will. No matter what, I’ll live until your child is born!”
Chen Chang’an smiled and shook his head, then walked back into the courtyard with him. He planned to have lunch here before setting off.
Knowing Chen Chang’an wanted to eat his cooking, Zhen Yongfu stopped chatting and hurried to experiment with fresh ingredients in the kitchen.
With nothing to do, Chen Chang’an went to Luo Yizi’s room and found her still asleep on the bed.
As if sensing his presence, Luo Yizi slowly opened her drowsy eyes and sat up. There was resentment and a trace of anger in her gaze.
“You didn’t black out?” Chen Chang’an asked cautiously. New chapters come out on g.com first.
“Did my sister transmit to you?” She remembered what she had done while drunk. Thinking about it now made her cheeks flush. At the same time, she looked at Chen Chang’an with expectation. If he had explained his impending death properly to her sister, everything could have been resolved.
However, she saw him shake his head.
“I didn’t get the chance. Yongfu explained everything himself. He said you were drunk and mixed things up, that he was the one who was going to die, not me.”
Luo Yizi froze in disbelief. Her hair began to move without wind, and she looked ready to explode.
In the kitchen, Zhen Yongfu suddenly shuddered and rubbed his nose in confusion.
Chen Chang’an said calmly, “I’ve decided. I won’t see your sister.”
Luo Yizi was stunned. “Why? Isn’t she the one you most want to see?”
“She is. When I first learned I was going to die, I felt unbearably lonely and empty. I wanted her by my side. But after gathering with my brothers, I’ve thought it through. Not seeing her is best. Even you could sense the sorrow in my heart. How could she not? I don’t want her to be sad.”
Luo Yizi grew anxious. “But… but…”
“That’s enough. Let it be. And don’t transmit to her anymore.”
Chen Chang’an did not know whether there was some stubbornness in his decision. He had thought about it. Since Luo Yicheng was so firm about not returning, then let her stay away. He hoped that when she eventually learned of his death, she could remain as calm as she was now. Perhaps such thoughts were only human. But one thing was certain. He still loved her deeply.
“After midday, we’ll leave here and head to the demon race.”
“The demon race?!”
Chen Chang’an nodded and smiled. “I’m going to see an old friend, currently the third strongest on the continent.”
Luo Yizi narrowed her eyes slightly.
At that moment, Chen Chang’an suddenly grinned with a hint of pride. “She once had a crush on me too. She almost stole me away from your sister.”
Luo Yizi stared at him in shock. So you’re not seeing my sister because you’re going to see another woman?
At midday, they sat at the dining table.
Looking at the table full of dishes, Chen Chang’an smiled faintly. “You made so much. We can’t possibly finish it all.”
“Alright. Then I’ll finish every last bite!”
They drank, talked, and ate heartily. Chen Chang’an was certain this was both the best and the final meal of his life. He ate as much as he could, wishing time would freeze in this moment.
When the dishes were cleared, Chen Chang’an let out a soft sigh. “Brother, it’s time for me to go.”
Zhen Yongfu smiled. “Then come again next time!”
“Take good care of your wife and child… and take good care of yourself.”
“Brother Chang’an, don’t talk like that. It sounds like you’re giving last words…” Zhen Yongfu rolled his eyes at him.
Chen Chang’an laughed and patted his shoulder again. He had always liked patting his two brothers on the shoulder. After so many years, it had become a habit. If he did not do it, it felt strange.
“I’m off.”
“Mm. Come back soon!”
Chen Chang’an took Luo Yizi with him and flew away without looking back.
“Not going to look back?” Luo Yizi asked.
“If I look back, I might not want to leave,” Chen Chang’an replied honestly.
Luo Yizi said nothing more.
Yet when Chen Chang’an had flown far into the horizon, he could not help but stop. He turned around and saw Zhen Yongfu still standing motionless outside the gate.
Seeing Chen Chang’an turn back, Zhen Yongfu quickly waved with a smile.
Chen Chang’an was silent for a moment, then suddenly grinned widely and waved back from afar. “Brother, take care…”
His voice was soft. The wind at high altitude was strong. Even Luo Yizi could barely make out the words.
The two of them flew into the wind, leaving home behind and heading toward the demon territory.
Along the way, Luo Yizi remained silent, and Chen Chang’an flew quietly.
In the end, Luo Yizi could not hold back. “Why exactly are you going to die? Tell me, please. I won’t tell my sister or anyone else.”
Chen Chang’an did not answer. His hand rested inside his pocket, touching the storage ring there. He had only just realized that such a ring had appeared in his pocket.
That foolish fellow. I helped you simply because you are my brother…