Save a life? Save whom?
When these words first came out, Huo Ling was still dazed by Yu Heng’s sudden action of kneeling. By the time he reacted, he felt himself enveloped by an unprecedented, surging rage.
He naturally knew who the “life” Yu Heng spoke of saving was, but he hadn’t expected his Junior Brother would go to such lengths for this person. His gaze instinctively shifted to the frail youth behind him, his eyes full of gloom. A voice in his heart was clamoring and instigating, trying to make him step forward and tear the youth to pieces. However, he still possessed some reason, and with his Master present, he forcibly suppressed that killing intent. When he looked up again, he appeared as usual. He stepped forward two paces and called out to his Junior Brother, attempting to help him up.
Yet Yu Heng rejected his movement and remained kneeling, exuding a sense of grim determination.
This happened so suddenly that even Immortal Sovereign Chongyi didn’t quite react in time. He had never seen the youth like this, which caused even his normally steady self to show a trace of astonishment.
“Heng-er, what are you doing?”
In a sense, the Immortal Sovereign hadn’t intended to be difficult. It was simply that seeing the two looking unwell, and thinking they were worried about his own health, he thought to make a small joke to tease them. He hadn’t expected the joke to go too far, resulting in the current scene. Realizing it was his own fault, he let out a sigh, and his previous sternness vanished.
“Master, please calm your anger.”
Yu Heng didn’t know what the two were thinking. He pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Bringing an outsider into the peak without the Master’s permission is my fault. However, the situation is urgent. I beg the Master to lend a hand and save my brother’s life. Once this matter is settled, I will go to the Disciplinary Elder of my own accord and accept whatever punishment is given.”
The youth spoke with unprecedented seriousness. He looked directly at the person before him, his exquisite face full of solemnity.
Hearing this, Jiang Xuning was completely thrown into chaos. He had never imagined things would turn out like this. He always thought that when A-Heng brought him to the Tianyan Sect to treat his illness, it would at most involve finding an ordinary medical cultivator within the sect. Even just a moment ago, he had thought so. He never expected that A-Heng actually intended for the Immortal Sovereign himself to treat him. For a moment, a thousand thoughts flooded his mind.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered the possibility, but having it confirmed made him feel it was somewhat absurd and surreal.
“You cannot.”
Besides them, Huo Ling’s expression changed immediately upon hearing this. He also knelt down and said urgently, “Master, Junior Brother’s recklessness is all my fault. It was I who failed to stop him in time. I am willing to take the punishment on his behalf!”
“Senior Brother, you need not say more.” Yu Heng frowned, looking at the person beside him with disapproval. “This was done by me alone, so I should be the one to bear it. It has nothing to do with my Senior Brother.”
“Junior Brother!”
Huo Ling naturally knew the methods of the Hall of Discipline; they were not something an ordinary person could endure. Even cultivators like them would lose a layer of skin in their hands. He didn’t want Yu Heng to suffer. He couldn’t help but feel flustered, black qi swirling between his brows, and the corners of his eyes reddening.
The two went back and forth like this. If any outsider were watching, they would surely comment on how deep their bond was and Jiang Xuning, to the side, felt exactly that way.
“Enough.”
Immortal Sovereign Chongyi had been surprised by his disciple’s sudden behavior, but seeing this scene now, he couldn’t think too much about it. He observed his two disciples, and a flash of gratification crossed his eyes. Even his own physical pain seemed to lessen slightly.
“I haven’t even said anything yet, and you’re all competing to take punishment. What, do you both want to take a tour of the Hall of Discipline that badly?”
As soon as he spoke, the hall fell silent. Yu Heng pursed his lips and said no more, though his brows remained tightly knit.
“How exactly do you two view me? Am I that cold-hearted?”
“We wouldn’t dare.”
The two spoke in unison, but neither raised their heads.
The Immortal Sovereign was somewhat helpless, but considering he hadn’t spent much time with these two disciples after all, he didn’t say more.
“Alright, get up, both of you. What do you look like?”
He waved his hand, signaling them to rise.
“Master…”
Yu Heng stood up and looked up hesitantly, his eyes full of hope. The Sovereign naturally knew what he was thinking and let out a light, helpless sigh. “Did I say I wouldn’t save him?”
“Thank you, Master!”
As if a heavy burden had been lifted, the youth immediately beamed with joy. His already radiant features became even more dazzling. He hurriedly turned around to pull the other youth, who was still dazed.
“Brother, come quickly. The master has agreed to treat you. You’re saved.”
Seeing this, Huo Ling felt his heart tighten. Without a word, he looked away, pretending not to see.
Jiang Xuning was still in a fog until Yu Heng tugged his sleeve. He finally reacted. As a burning gaze landed on him, he felt an unprecedented weight, one that almost made it hard to breathe. In that moment, he suddenly forgot what he sought, but soon he began to understand.
“Immortal Sovereign.”
The youth kept his head lowered. This time he didn’t recklessly meet the other’s gaze, but his body began to tremble uncontrollably. He knew that it was his desire for life.
“No need to be nervous.”
Perhaps sensing the youth’s abnormality, the Sovereign comforted him softly. To Jiang Xuning’s ears, it felt like a March spring breeze brushing over his face, filling his sleeves with fragrance.
The Sovereign placed his hand on the youth’s pulse, and the hall fell silent. Yu Heng stared directly at the point where they touched, appearing more nervous than anyone else.
……
After an unknown amount of time, the two finally separated. Yu Heng, who had been waiting, snapped his head up and hurriedly asked, “How is it?” His face was full of hard-to-hide excitement.
However, the response he received was a very solemn expression from the Immortal Sovereign. His heart instantly turned cold.
“What’s wrong?”
“It is not good.”
Perhaps even the Immortal Sovereign hadn’t expected the youth’s pulse to be so weak. After a moment of thought, he continued, “The oil is exhausted and the lamp is dry. He is beyond medical help.”
He shook his head helplessly. Cold qi had entered the body; if he had been brought earlier, there might have been hope. But at this moment, this youth was destined for a dead end.
Jiang Xuning had heard these same words an unknown number of times, even reaching a state of numbness. He thought he could face it calmly this time as well, but he forgot that back then he sought death, whereas now he sought life. If even the Immortal Sovereign was powerless against his illness, who else could save him? It was like a blow to the head; his only fantasy was completely shattered. He couldn’t help but feel despair. His remaining logic forced him to stay conscious, not wanting to lose his composure too much, but under the swing of great joy to great sorrow, he felt dizzy and couldn’t help but fall backward.
“How can it be so?”
Yu Heng’s face turned pale, his previously peak radiance withering in an instant. Supporting the now limp body of the youth in his arms, he seemed unable to believe it. Then, he said with some agitation, “Is even the Vermillion Pearl Fruit not enough?”
“No.”
The Sovereign naturally knew what he meant, but he was also quite helpless. It wasn’t that he begrudged the preciousness of the Vermillion Pearl Fruit; it was simply that it truly provided no benefit to an ordinary person.
Leaning against Yu Heng’s body, Jiang Xuning regained some strength. Hearing the three words “Vermillion Pearl Fruit,” he became a bit more alert.
The Vermillion Pearl Fruit he naturally recognized. The book he read had described it: it was said to sprout in a hundred years, grow into a plant in another hundred, flower in another hundred, and bear fruit in yet another hundred. Only after another hundred years would it fully ripen. It looked like agate, bright red as blood, and possessed a unique fragrance. It was incredibly precious; even the Immortal Sovereign only had one such plant. However, it had the power to grow flesh on bone and bring the dead back to life. Later in the book, Yu Heng had been gravely injured by a sneak attack, and it was thanks to this fruit that he kept his life.
When Jiang Xuning read that part, he had wondered if he wouldn’t have died if he’d had that fruit. But he quickly dismissed the thought. For no other reason than later learning that while the fruit was powerful, not everyone could withstand its medicinal potency. Every medicine has a side effect; only cultivators could bear it. For a mortal like him, taking it would not only fail to heal him, but might also prevent him from living even the remaining three years. It truly wasn’t worth it.
Furthermore, Jiang Xuning truly didn’t want to extend his life by taking A-Heng’s fate. This was not his wish. Thus, he squeezed the youth’s hand weakly, signaling him not to say more.
At this moment, he was exceptionally calm. Perhaps he had been confused when he first heard the bad news not understanding why he was allowed to start over if it was still a dead end but now he was suddenly clear. Since life and death were not for him to decide, at least he could live without regrets. In his past life, he hadn’t fulfilled his filial duties, but this time he could. He wanted to go home; at least in these remaining three years, he could accompany his parents.
Jiang Xuning thought this, but before he could speak, he felt his hand tighten.
The youth’s voice was slow and firm. He said, “Then I am willing to become Dao Companions with him.”