Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The group no longer spoke then; they waited silently, seated at their respective places. Each of them was entertaining their own thoughts.
Lang Fantian was quiet for a very long time. His frown was locked in place as soft sighs constantly escaped his lips. Feng Guohai looked calmer instead, with his eyes half shut, while Xiao Yushu and the rest of the people merely looked thoughtful.
Li Yixin’s words had been vague, but everyone managed to form their own interpretation after listening to him. Some of them had chosen to speak aloud, while the others kept their comprehension in their heart.
The outcome was the heavy atmosphere that currently permeated their surroundings.
It was only after another lapse of time that a gentle boom broke the tension. The focal point of everyone’s attention that was the thick layer of white mist abruptly disappeared. The group looked over instinctively and let loose a uniform gasp.
A handsome, middle-aged man slowly stood up from the floor.
The man stared at Li Yixin excitedly and rushed over, hugging him and crying out euphorically, “Brother, we have hope!”
Everyone else, without exception, was dumbfounded – their jaws dropped and their tongues looped themselves into knots!
Their minds were the fragments and shards of a universe that had exploded.
Song Changgong! This fine man in his prime was Song Changgong? The Song Changgong who had been wrinkled and senile just a while ago, with silver strands for his hair and beard, who had looked like he did not much more time in this world?
They felt like they were in a hazy illusion. Were they dreaming? It had been but a trickle of time, yet, Song Changgong had returned to his youth.
This was the Qi of vitality!
Song Changgong had absorbed the Qi of vitality and achieved the current result.
As everyone’s thought process carried them here, their gazes simultaneously shifted to Yun Yang, blazing heat oozing from their stares. They thought of how the miracle appeared – the source of the marvel.
They had known previously that Yun Yang had acquired the Qi of vitality from the Spirit’s Grave. The latter had already spoken of the energy’s effect earlier. They were electrified. After all, the vitality Qi was no ordinary Qi if it could prolong one’s life!
It was expected that the consumer could pass the limit of his longevity and it would be no surprise that his general state would be improved.
In spite of this, the outcome they were witnessing now was astounding… Yun Yang had not said a thing about the Qi of vitality being able to recover one’s youth!
Song Changgong teared up as he hugged Li Yixin; the latter did not fare any better himself.
Both of them had been in each other’s company their entire life. Faced with rain and storm, faced with life and death, facing the martial world, facing each other, no one else had spent as much time together as they had. Naturally, they were had witnessed each other’s struggles and uncertainties, as well as their gradual aging and decline from the prime of their lives.
The emotions and feelings were indescribable.
Now, Li Yixin had witnessed a miracle take place within his big brother, watching him go back to his youth. The joy he was engulfed in was incomparable.
“Congratulations, big brother!” Li Yixin said sincerely.
He thought that even if there was no hope for him, even if he were to die at this very moment, he could be on his way to the Nine Springs in relief and with no regrets, upon seeing this scene. His brother was rejuvenated to his prime state now; he was capable of taking good care of himself. Even if he was not by his side, well, that didn’t really matter anymore.
Song Changgong’s eyes were trained on Li Yixin’s silver strands and weaving lines as he spoke fondly, “Brother, you’ll be like your big brother. I guarantee it! No matter the price, I’ll make sure your youth is returned to you!”
He turned around and gathered his emotions. Facing Yun Yang, Song Changgong bowed deeply in gratitude. “Brother Yun, thank you for the Qi of vitality!”
Yun Yang returned the gesture quickly.
“Elder Song, you’re being courteous. It’s a fair trade, I dare not accept your thanks.”
Yun Yang was moved by the brotherhood between both old men and even thought about helping by giving an additional portion of vitality Qi to Li Yixin, but the current scenario deemed that action inappropriate. If he had accepted Song Changgong’s thanks, it would mean an unavoidable and irrecoverable change in their standpoints.
Therefore, Yun Yang was direct in concluding all that had transpired into their deal. The sentiment of individual feelings could exist in a deal, but it must come from a general angle. It could not involve too many personal emotions or else the priorities could be skewed and pose a disadvantage.
“I’m not being courteous,” Song Changgong said earnestly as he stood up straight, “I know your stance and I’ll definitely also thank the commerce league. But to you, this sense of gratitude is inevitable – especially when I have another favor to ask for.”
Yun Yang glanced at Song Changgong and then at Li Yixin, immediately understanding.
“Brother Yun, I believe that you know what I want to ask for. State your terms freely. Whatever the conditions, whatever the price, it doesn’t matter. I must ask you for this help.”
Song Changgong spoke each word in seriousness, “My brother needs this Qi of vitality too.”
His posture was straight. He said softly, “I can pay, whatever the price is!”
A frown came to Yun Yang. “I’ve seen and am deeply touched by the kinship Elder Song and Elder Li share. On the topic of the vitality Qi, though, I can only promise both of you that I’ll try my best. I can’t guarantee anything. After all, it’s not something that I can decide.”
“Of course. I thank you for being willing to lend a helping hand, Brother Yun,” said Song Changgong.
Yun Yang was pondered silently for a moment before he spoke again quietly, “If… What if I can’t obtain it smoothly, or I take too much time to do it…”
Li Yixin’s face fell.
What Yun Yang said seemed to be a forewarning, a clear statement of the worst that could happen, but it was essentially a test to their brotherhood. Even if he did not mean any harm, he still had an ulterior motive.
“Big brother!” Li Yixin had spoken before Song Changgong could open his mouth, “Big brother, both life and death are destined. I’d be lucky to get it, but it’s also my destiny if I don’t.”
Song Changgong shook his head easily as he stared at his brother gently before a smile pulled at his lips. He then turned to look at Yun Yang again and suddenly raised his arm.
“I, Song Changgong, swear that if my brother is unable to extend his life and regain his youth, then the two of us shall share life and death; we shall both stay or we shall both leave this world together!”
A rumble of thunder roared in the sky as the vow was made.
A vow had been made to the heavens!
Li Yixin did not expect Song Changgong to make such a decision. He was stunned, shuddering as tears escaped his eyes.
“Big brother, you – !”
His voice came out as a sob, the words choked in his throat. The heaven’s vow had been made. Any sort of attempt to stop or advise him was already too late.
Song Changgong smiled faintly. “You and I are brothers. This is how it should be. Our vow to be brothers is still a fresh echo in my ears. My acquisition of the Qi of vitality today is because you held yourself back. If you pass on, unable to obtain the vitality Qi, what’s the use of me staying in this world alone? We’ve roamed the martial world for tens of thousands of years. Having spent so much time together, if you did leave first… have you the heart to keep me tormented by guilt, eternally lonely?”
Li Yixin heaved a long sigh, unable to get a single word out.
