Heaven-Collapsing Start [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Since discovering the cause of Ji Liang’s illness, Gu Yun’s gaze had grown more cautious whenever he looked at him. He even began to appear before him openly, ignoring the dark expression on the youth A-Heng’s face, to take over the task of brewing medicine.

In terms of martial prowess, A-Heng, a newly-minted novice, was naturally no match for Gu Yun. Consequently, he could only stand to the side in frustration, watching as the position that usually belonged to him was usurped by someone else.

He hadn’t expected to see this person again, the man who claimed to be the Teacher’s brother. But so what? It seemed the Teacher did not welcome him either; in fact, after this man appeared, the Teacher ceased to smile entirely. A-Heng didn’t know the reason behind it, but that didn’t stop him from finding the man equally eyesore.

However, the person who actually delivered the brewed medicinal meal to Ji Liang was still the youth A-Heng; Gu Yun understood, after all, that his Big Brother was unwilling to see him.

As for A-Heng, Gu Yun didn’t have much of a personal impression of him. Knowing he was his Big Brother’s student and was following him to learn martial arts, Gu Yun paid him a bit more attention.

During this period, he had watched his Big Brother guide the youth in his practice. The boy had some talent, could endure hardship, and was willing to work hard; he was a good prospect. If he could persevere, perhaps the martial arts world would gain a strong expert some years later.

But for now, the youth was still a green boy who had only recently touched martial arts. Relying on a surge of hot-blooded passion, he would frown in distress when encountering difficulties in cultivation. Moreover, as the weather suddenly turned cold recently, the Teacher’s body suffered discomfort, resulting in frequent coughing, to the point that even the lessons at the schoolhouse were suspended.

One morning, in the courtyard, A-Heng was practicing with that wooden sword. Gu Yun was beside him, instructing the youth.

Even though he held significant objections toward this man in his heart, A-Heng could not deny that the man’s martial power appeared incredibly formidable. As for exactly how powerful he was, the youth had no concept; however, since the Teacher was currently unwell, he knew how to prioritize.

Furthermore, in his heart, perhaps he felt an urgent desire to master martial arts, hoping to have the ability to serve the Teacher. Therefore, he did not act ungratefully and did not reject Gu Yun’s guidance.

When Ji Liang walked out draped in a cloak, he happened to see the scene of the two practicing in the courtyard.

Gu Yun was the first to notice the addition of a light, shallow presence in the courtyard. He turned slightly and looked behind him, seeing Ji Liang standing at the threshold watching them.

Dressed in green with a thin gray outer robe, his pale fingers extended from the sleeves, loosely clutching the garment. His expression was indifferent, and even his lips had lost their color.

“Big Brother.”

He opened his mouth and called out, his heart suddenly aching as if pricked by a thorn.

Hearing his voice, the youth who was focused on practicing stopped immediately. When he turned to look at Ji Liang, his eyes sparkled slightly.

“Teacher!”

Compared to Gu Yun’s hesitant mumble, it was truly a greeting full of youthful vigor.

Ji Liang shifted his gaze to the youth and nodded slightly, yet he ignored Gu Yun, who stood to the side looking somewhat at a loss.

In truth, this situation had persisted for several days. Since the day Gu Yun had laid bare the relationship between them and they had parted on bad terms, although Gu Yun had thick-skinnedly remained, Ji Liang had not looked him in the eye once, behaving as if he completely ignored his existence.

This made Gu Yun feel sad and somewhat melancholic. His Big Brother refused to return with him and was in poor health; he only hated that his knowledge of medicine was merely superficial. If Dr. Dong were here, he would surely be able to cure Big Brother, and perhaps even Big Brother’s martial arts could…

Thinking this, Gu Yun became even more determined in his idea to take his Big Brother back.

If Ji Liang could hear him, he would likely want to laugh again.

At that moment, A-Heng, having put away the wooden sword, walked toward Ji Liang. He felt his martial arts practice had improved greatly lately and intended to share his joy with the Teacher. However, he unexpectedly heard several coughs. Worry flashed across his face, and he ran to the Teacher’s side in a few steps, pouring tea and handing water until the coughing gradually subsided.

Ji Liang lowered the hand covering his lips, his brows furrowing slightly. He gained a bit more understanding of his current physical condition; it was even worse than his initial estimation.

He had thought that through conditioning, it would slowly improve. Yet, a mere change in the weather caused a sudden deterioration, indicating that the medicine he had taken before had been in vain.

This body was completely broken.

Raising his eyes slightly, he saw the anxious and worried expression of the youth in front of him. Past him, not far away, Gu Yun wore an identical expression, looking as if he wanted to come over but didn’t dare.

The sky was bright and the sun was rising slowly. Sunlight spilled into the courtyard, casting over his body, yet he seemed unable to feel even a hint of warmth.

Since Ji Liang had been unwell, the lessons at the schoolhouse had been suspended. The villagers had no objections; rather, they were more concerned about the Teacher’s health. It hadn’t been easy for Pangxi Village to get such a schoolteacher to pass on knowledge.

Thus, during the period Ji Liang was resting, one could often see people entering and leaving his courtyard—all villagers and students coming to pay their respects.

Gu Yun merely watched from the side in silence. The gentle expression Big Brother showed when facing the villagers’ greetings made him daze off unconsciously, giving rise to an illusion as if nothing had ever happened.

But he knew that was merely him deceiving himself.

A few more days passed. As Ji Liang’s health improved, he gradually resumed teaching at the schoolhouse, though the teaching hours were changed to a half-day system. No one objected to this.

…

Meanwhile, at the Martial Arts Alliance.

Upon receiving the message from the Li siblings saying they had discovered the hiding place of the Demon Sect remnants, Alliance Leader Gu had led a troop to investigate, after which they split into two paths.

One was to continue the search for the Demon Sect remnants, and the other was to rescue the hunted Li siblings.

Regardless of the results of the former search, Alliance Leader Gu had personally set out for the latter and had rescued the Li siblings at their most critical moment.

The Li brothers were seriously injured and were brought back to the Martial Arts Alliance to be treated by the highly skilled Dr. Dong. The others had also returned, but there was no sign of Alliance Leader Gu.

The few who returned gave an explanation, saying that Alliance Leader Gu had urgent business. However, as half a month passed without any sign of him, the pressure on those few individuals grew. Only they knew the reason; although Alliance Leader Gu sent news back every few days and they didn’t need to worry about his safety, it was currently a turbulent time. The old Alliance Leader had passed away, and the new one had just succeeded the position; he needed to be present to maintain order.

Moreover, Gu Yun had been concealing the matter of Ji Liang in his replies. By now, he was forced to face it.

During this time, he had been trying to ease the relationship with his Big Brother, but he suffered from a lack of opportunity. Big Brother still ignored him; the greatest progress was that he was finally willing to speak to him, though it was merely as if treating a stranger.

Gu Yun smiled bitterly in his heart. Thinking of the message in the letter urging him to return to the Martial Arts Alliance as soon as possible, his fingers couldn’t help but tighten slightly.

By chance, Ji Liang passed by him. The bitter scent of medicine drifted past Gu Yun’s nose, and he understood that Big Brother must have just finished taking his medicine. His gaze swept over that face, which was like “jade-like gentleman”; the pale, fragile complexion seemed to have not improved at all.

With a thousand thoughts in his mind, Gu Yun subconsciously called out: “Big Brother…”

Hearing the sound, Ji Liang’s footsteps paused slightly as he turned sideways.

“Does Alliance Leader Gu have a problem?”

His demeanor was peaceful and his tone was gentle, completely devoid of any sarcasm or mockery. Even his gaze was calm, genial, and as light as a breeze.

Gu Yun opened his mouth, and only after a good while did he say: “I probably have to go back.”

“Then I wish Alliance Leader Gu a smooth journey.”

“Does Big Brother still refuse to change his mind?”

Gu Yun turned around abruptly to face Ji Liang’s back. However, he received no answer, as the thin figure once again began to walk away.

Standing there, Gu Yun just watched him gradually move further away. He lowered his head slightly, seemed to close his eyes, and said in a low voice: “Forgive me, Big Brother.”

Keenly perceiving a sudden palm wind coming from behind, Ji Liang due to his physical limitations only had time to turn his body slightly before he was struck on the back of the neck by a palm. Instantly, his vision went dark.

Before losing consciousness, Ji Liang saw the apologetic expression on Gu Yun’s face. The corner of his mouth seemed to curl slightly into an arc, but when Gu Yun caught the collapsing body, that trace of a mocking smile did not appear on his lips, as if it were an illusion.

Even earlier than Gu Yun taking the unconscious Ji Liang back to the Martial Arts Alliance, was a simple letter. It was brought back by a trusted subordinate of Gu Yun and delivered to the Ji Family Manor.

On the envelope of this simple letter, there were only six words:

“To Foster Father Ji Yan To be opened personally.”