“Brother, are you really okay on your own?”
Beside the stone table, Yu Heng leaned half-pressed against the youth’s knees. His eyes were sparkling like starlight, wearing a pitiful expression, and his tone carried a hint of grievance, pure, lingering reluctance.
Since Immortal Sovereign Chongyi agreed to treat his illness, Jiang Xuning had moved to Wangyue Peak to live with Yu Heng and the others. This not only saved him the exhaustion of traveling back and forth but also made it convenient for the Sovereign to administer treatment.
Among them, Yu Heng was naturally the happiest. Even the slight unpleasantness from before had been completely cast to the back of his mind. Unfortunately, this happiness did not last long, because the next day, news came from the Hall of Discipline ordering him and Huo Ling to descend the mountain.
Unlike other sects, the Tianyan Sect did not raise idle people. In addition to cultivation, they had to complete corresponding tasks every month. Whether it was exorcising evil or other matters, they had to finish the tasks; only then would the Hall of Discipline issue the month’s supplies. Just like the people they met when they first entered the sect, those disciples were also out to complete tasks assigned by the Hall of Discipline.
Yu Heng and Huo Ling had been delayed for a few days because they went to Yue City, missing the task window. Now that the Hall of Discipline saw they were back, they immediately arranged for them to go down the mountain.
“I’m fine.”
Jiang Xuning tried to help the person up, his eyes filled with helplessness. Just how fragile did this person think he was? Moreover, this was within the number one immortal sect; what could possibly bully him here?
Rather, it was the person before him who was more worrisome. As far as he knew, the tasks arranged by the Hall of Discipline usually scaled with a disciple’s cultivation. The lower the cultivation, the simpler the task; the higher the cultivation, the more difficult the task. With a Golden Core cultivation like A-Heng’s, this task was likely not simple.
Feeling the youth’s gentle push, Yu Heng became unwilling. He pouted and became even more clingy, reaching out to wrap his arms around Jiang Xuning’s, refusing to let go.
“How can you be fine?”
He shook the other’s body slightly. His eyes were crystal clear with a hint of moisture as he said pitifully, “Brother, I want to stay and accompany you.”
He put on a display of shimmering spring-like beauty that would make anyone look twice. Had it been someone else, they would have likely agreed immediately, but Jiang Xuning remained unmoved.
For no other reason than he was already immune to it. Furthermore, even if his heart softened and he agreed, the Hall of Discipline would likely not be willing. Having read the book, he knew that the Disciplinary Elder was exceptionally strict. If he knew A-Heng failed to complete a task, a round of punishment would be unavoidable.
After all, while the task might be hard, it was solvable given A-Heng’s abilities. However, the punishments from the Hall of Discipline were different; there was no dodging them. He didn’t want A-Heng to get hurt, so he could only force him to go. Just as he was about to speak, a voice suddenly rang out, interrupting them.
“Junior Brother Yu, it’s time to go.”
The newcomer was still dressed in black it was Huo Ling.
Sensing the gaze landing on him, it was as cold and bone-piercing as every time before. However, Jiang Xuning’s state of mind was completely different from before.
He originally thought the man’s nature was simply like this, but after yesterday, his view of Huo Ling had changed significantly. The person before him was not an evil man; the reason he acted this way was simply due to jealousy.
In fact, after realizing this, he belatedly reacted to the fact that since their reunion, he and A-Heng had been far too intimate, leading to Huo Ling’s misunderstanding and consequent dislike.
Although he knew this was just his instinctive reaction due to the joy of seeing A-Heng again after rebirth, Huo Ling’s behavior was undoubtedly a reminder. He shouldn’t let himself go like this anymore. Moreover, he couldn’t help but think of his past life again, meaning that in three years, these two would become Dao companions in the true sense. As A-Heng’s elder brother, he shouldn’t do anything to destroy that.
Jiang Xuning thought this, but his face wore a smile as he said gently, “Go on.”
As he spoke, he pulled away the youth’s hands, not wanting to cause further misunderstanding. Perhaps Yu Heng was also startled by Huo Ling’s sudden arrival; Jiang Xuning didn’t use much force, and the place where they touched separated just like that fragile as if it were meant to be.
Yu Heng reacted at that moment. Just as he wanted to reach out again, he was dodged by the person before him. He frowned and called out “Brother” in a low, pitiful voice, but the only response he got was silence and a view of a retreating back.
Helplessly, Yu Heng could only stand up. Leaving a sentence of “Brother, wait for me,” he followed Huo Ling down the mountain with great reluctance.
Once the surroundings were completely quiet, Jiang Xuning finally turned back. Watching the two departing figures, he didn’t know what he was thinking. Ultimately, he only let out a sigh and stood up to head in the opposite direction, where Immortal Sovereign Chongyi was waiting for him.
…
“Fellow Daoist Jiang, the work for today is done. You can head back first.”
Under the eaves, a round-faced youth in grey called out to the person still busy in the medicinal fields. His voice was particularly clear across the empty land.
The person heard him clearly and slowly stood up, revealing a slightly flushed face. It was indeed Jiang Xuning, who had arrived at the Tianyan Sect not long ago.
“Alright, I’ll head back now.”
He raised a hand to wipe the thin sweat from his forehead and replied to the round-faced youth under the eaves, not appearing delicate at all.
Seeing his response, the round-faced youth stayed no longer and re-entered the small courtyard.
Jiang Xuning pulled the last weed under his hand and stood up to walk out of the medicinal field.
Half a month had passed since Yu Heng left, and he had spent half a month in this infirmary. He had known before that the Tianyan Sect didn’t raise idle people, and there could be no special treatment for him. However, because he was a common mortal and couldn’t do heavy labor, they had arranged for him to be in the herb garden. Pulling weeds and cutting herbs daily was considered light work.
Furthermore, because the people in the herb garden had found out from somewhere that he was Yu Heng’s elder brother, they took extra care of him. Their time together had been quite harmonious.
The only downside was that these people would always, intentionally or unintentionally, ask him about A-Heng’s preferences or childhood stories. Once or twice was fine, but he couldn’t stand it after a while. Besides, after being apart for so long, how would he know A-Heng’s current preferences? They might have changed long ago. Thus, he could only give vague answers.
But seeing that he didn’t refuse, the group became even more persistent. Fortunately, the round-faced youth from earlier intervened, restoring peace.
Aside from that, his body seemed to have undergone some changes. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but he felt he wasn’t as weak as before. Although the work in the herb garden was light, it still required physical strength. In the past, he wouldn’t have lasted a moment, but now, aside from being a bit tired, he could manage. This was an experience he’d never had back in Yue City.
Perhaps it’s because the spiritual energy in the Tianyan Sect is so abundant, he thought. It was nourishing and easing his broken body. He then headed back toward his residence.
However, where there was joy, there was also worry. Jiang Xuning walked along the mountain path, unable to help thinking deeply. The quiet atmosphere added a touch of loneliness to his silhouette.
It had been half a month since he started working with Immortal Sovereign Chongyi. During this time, he meditated on the Dao daily, yet there was still no reaction. One must know that while the path to immortality is hard, entering the Dao is usually easy. Anyone with a spirit root can easily enter the Dao with a bit of guidance; some don’t even need guidance to do it themselves. But in his case, it was different. Many days had passed, and he had not only failed to enter the Dao but hadn’t even felt a trace of spiritual energy.
Although the Sovereign comforted him by saying his spirit root was too “messy” after all, a five-element spirit root like his was essentially no different from having no spirit root and adding that his body had been broken for years, it truly wasn’t easy to draw spiritual energy into the body.
But he knew in his heart that even the Sovereign was finding this matter difficult. It had nothing to do with the spirit root or the body; it was as if he himself was simply incompatible with spiritual power.
Thinking of this, his heart trembled. He couldn’t help but wonder: was this established fact something he could never change?
Just then, the sun set, spreading red clouds across the sky. On the mountain path, a long shadow was cast. Jiang Xuning glanced at the horizon, withdrew his thoughts, and headed deeper into the peak.
Upon arriving at Wangyue Peak, Jiang Xuning saw a crowd gathered in front of the mountain gate. Knowing they were all looking for Huo Ling and Yu Heng, he didn’t pay them much mind. He took a side path to enter the peak and headed toward his residence, only to unexpectedly see an uninvited guest at the door.
Wangyue Peak had a boundary; otherwise, the people he saw earlier wouldn’t be waiting outside. However, the person before him had come inside. Not only that, the person happened to be standing right in front of his small courtyard. He didn’t know if it was a coincidence, but he felt an ill intention from the visitor.
But these were just his imaginations. He stepped forward a few paces and asked, “Who are you looking for?”
Hearing his voice, the person slowly turned around, revealing a youthful but beautiful face. Jiang Xuning then noticed that the person’s clothing and materials were very exquisite—this was no ordinary person.
While he was wondering about the identity of the person before him, the youth began to scrutinize the rather ordinary mortal. After a long while, the youth spoke slowly:
“So you are the new disciple Immortal Sovereign Chongyi took in?”