Liu Jingyun’s voice sounded a bit pitiful, and Chen Ji’s heart, which always had a soft spot for these kids, melted instantly. These unfilial sons truly knew how to drive him to an early grave sometimes, but when they were good to him, they were truly devoted.
Chen Ji shifted slightly on the bed, using his free hand to gently guide Liu Jingyun’s head toward his shoulder.
“Go to sleep. It is alright now,” he said.
“Mhm.”
Liu Jingyun was like a chilled cat, curling up closer to Chen Ji’s side to soak up the warmth. This reminded Chen Ji of the early days when their relationship first improved; the thin, young Liu Jingyun used to curl up by his side every night just like this.
While Liu Jingyun’s childhood was not exactly a tragedy of epic proportions, being abandoned by his father, losing his mother, having his relatives fight over his inheritance, and being exploited by bandits had turned him into a child who found it difficult to trust others and lacked any sense of security. Sometimes, Chen Ji could understand why the reincarnation of a legendary Sword Immortal would occasionally act out like a stubborn child.
But how long would these days last?
The appearance of the Thousand Infant Coffin had already skewed the plot, and Chen Ji had gained a few clues about the true hidden boss of the story. Now, it all depended on what Tianjizi would do.
Chen Ji did not believe for a second that after hearing the name Mo Tianzi, Tianjizi still remained ignorant of the identity of the Ghost King who had terrorized the original owner’s village ten years ago and stormed Emerald Bamboo Peak tonight. If Tianjizi could deal with the Ghost King in time, perhaps the subsequent plot of the novel would change, and the ending would follow suit.
If that happened, maybe I would be able to return to my original world.
Chen Ji let out a long, deep sigh. Through his clasped hand, he could feel Liu Jingyun’s body heat. After years of hard work raising these kids, the thought of one day having to part ways actually made him a little reluctant. His mind grew more cluttered with thoughts, but his physical strength was spent. His eyes slowly drifted shut as sleep took over.
After leaving the room, Elder Luying found Qiu Lingzhou and Feng Zhimu at the martial arts arena. Qiu Lingzhou was sitting on the stone steps, staring blankly into space, while Feng Zhimu sat a short distance away, watching him but too afraid to approach.
Luying walked over to Qiu Lingzhou and crouched down. “Where are you hurt?”
“How is Senior Brother’s injury?” Qiu Lingzhou asked in a muffled voice.
“A-Ji is a very strange child. Though his cultivation is mediocre, his wounds heal much faster than a normal person’s. You have seen it before, have you not?”
Qiu Lingzhou’s body trembled slightly as memories he did not want to revisit surfaced in his mind. Chen Ji was a regular at Luying’s infirmary, and Luying had treated him for severe injuries multiple times. Even without the support of personal spiritual energy, Chen Ji was the only person Luying knew who could go from a near-death state to running around energetically in less than a month.
Qiu Lingzhou’s own injuries were quite severe. Two of his ribs were broken, and the only reason he could sit there with a straight face was that he was using his own spiritual energy to treat the wounds internally.
“You need to rest for a few days. Stay in bed and do not run around,” Luying instructed.
Qiu Lingzhou let the words go in one ear and out the other.
“A-Ji is still injured. You would not want him to worry about you while he is trying to heal, would you?” Luying added.
Qiu Lingzhou stiffened. “Sometimes I really hate Senior Brother. I do not understand why he is so willing to be good to me.”
“Because Big Senior Brother is a good person!” Feng Zhimu chirped innocently. “That is why he is so kind to us.”
“Even little Zhimu is more sensible than you. Go back and rest early; do not make A-Ji worry.” Luying ruffled Feng Zhimu’s head with a smile. “Little Zhimu, take your Third Senior Brother back.”
“Okay!”
Feng Zhimu walked over timidly, reaching out his hand toward the beautiful but fierce-looking Qiu Lingzhou. “Third Senior Brother, let us go back to Big Senior Brother’s room.”
Qiu Lingzhou looked at the small hand, hesitating for a long moment before finally taking it. The two of them, big and small, headed back together.
Once they were out of sight, Luying turned toward the ornamental rockery. “Sect Leader, how much longer do you plan to hide back there?”
“Elder Luying’s perception is as sharp as ever. Even with my spiritual energy suppressed, you still noticed me.” Tianjizi stepped out from behind the rocks.
Luying smiled faintly. “Do not tease me, Sect Leader. Are you here to ask about A-Ji and the others?”
Tianjizi did not hesitate and nodded.
“The injuries are not too bad, except for A-Ji. But as you know, his self-healing speed has always been remarkably fast.”
While the news that the injuries were not life-threatening should have been a relief, Tianjizi let out a heavy sigh upon hearing it. Luying was puzzled. “Why the sigh, Sect Leader?”
“Three of them were wounded, yet I failed to capture the evil creature that hurt them.”
“Even you could not catch him?”
“That person is no ordinary individual.”
“Person?” Luying caught the word. “I heard it was a Ghost King.”
“A cultivator who uses ghostly energy. Even if he uses that energy to hide himself, I can still tell if someone is human or a ghost.”
Luying fell silent. If a cultivator was deliberately practicing the ghostly path to cause trouble for the Tianyun Sect, it meant they had an enemy within the sect. With so many disciples, it was not strange to have made a few enemies, but this one was clearly dangerous.
“From now on, increase the patrols and strengthen the boundaries. Also, it is time to call Jueyang back,” Tianjizi said, looking into the distance with a thoughtful expression.
The Ghost King’s intrusion kept the Tianyun Sect disciples awake until dawn. As the sky brightened, the spiritual bells of Juyang Peak rang out with one heavy, dull toll after another.
Chen Ji was woken by the sound. When he opened his eyes, Qiu Lingzhou and Liu Jingyun were already gone. Feng Zhimu was sitting at the desk reading; seeing Chen Ji move, he immediately ran over.
“Big Senior Brother, you are awake! Do you want some water first, or would you like to wash up?”
“Wash up first.”
“Okay! I will go get the water for you right now.”
Feng Zhimu sensibly brought a basin of water. Chen Ji felt both touched and guilty. “Little Mumu, you have only been part of the sect for a few days and you have already dealt with so much. Now you have to take care of me. I have failed you as a senior brother.”
“Do not say that, Big Senior Brother! When I first arrived at Emerald Bamboo Peak, you carried me all the way up from the foot of the mountain. My mother said I should repay kindness. I am a little man; taking care of you is my duty!” Zhimu said with great conviction.
Chen Ji marveled at the difference. A child raised with love was truly different, sensible and sweet. Can I have a few more kids like this? he wondered.
Feng Zhimu also brought him breakfast. Realizing that only the youngest was there to care for him, Chen Ji asked, “Where are Qiu Lingzhou and Liu Jingyun?”
“They went to practice their swords.”
“Oh.” Chen Ji nodded, then he froze. “Liu Jingyun went to practice his sword?!”
“Yes. Third Senior Brother said one cannot be lazy in cultivation and must grow strong quickly, so he went to find a place to train. Second Senior Brother heard him and took his sword out too. He told me to look after you and said he would be back as soon as he finished his practice.”
A bad premonition seized Chen Ji. Letting Liu Jingyun practice with a sword was no different from releasing a tiger back to the mountains. He prayed silently that the martial arts arena on Juyang Peak was large enough so that Liu Erha would not end up demolishing the place.
Just as he finished his prayer, a thunderous boom echoed through the air.
Chen Ji’s heart turned to ash. It was over.
That Husky still could not hold back!