Heaven-Collapsing Start [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

A fairly large manor stood, presided over by two majestic and imposing giant stone lion statues. Above the main gate was a plaque, inscribed with four vigorous and powerful characters:

Ji Family Manor.

In the martial arts world, the Ji Family Manor was considered a rather prominent power. Established a hundred years ago, it had produced many talents over the generations who had more or less participated in earth-shattering events that commanded attention; its influence on the martial arts world was significant.

The current master of the manor, Ji Yan, was upright and honest, valuing friendship and righteousness. He held a certain status in the martial arts community, and under normal circumstances, most people were very willing to give him “face.”

Furthermore, there was his son, Ji Liang, who was a true example of the “rising waves pushing the waves ahead.” Since childhood, he had been brilliant and studious with excellent aptitude; one could say he was a heaven-sent genius. He was gentle and humble, a graceful gentleman who earned praise from all who met him. However… Regarding the events that occurred some days ago, thinking of them now, one could not help but sigh. Perhaps it could only be described as a misfortune for the family.

But now, everything has already settled.

At this time, within the vast Ji Family Manor, in a courtyard in the rear, the environment was simple and silent. A servant walking to and fro was seen only after a long interval, and even their passing footsteps were subconsciously lightened.

This was the residence of Mother Ji. The father, Ji Yan, was forty-six years old this year. He had lived more than half his life, yet from beginning to end, he had only one wife, Mother Ji. In the eyes of others, they were a standard model couple, deeply in love to the point of making others envious.

The facts were indeed so, except for a time in Father Ji’s frivolous youth when he had a childhood sweetheart. But while “the fallen blossoms had intent, the flowing water was heartless”; in the end, that childhood sweetheart became a pair with Father Ji’s sworn brother. Only later did he meet Mother Ji, falling in love again until they married and gave birth to a son.

However, the laughter and joy of the past now left only a shadow of gloom.

A corner of a robe crossed the threshold and entered the room. The maidservant waiting at the door raised her head; the moment she saw clearly who it was, she intended to offer her respects, but she saw the other party wave his hand to stop her movements. His footsteps did not cease.

The interior furnishings were equally simple. Ahead, the first thing to meet the eye was a statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin. Beneath the statue, blue smoke curled from an incense burner, a light mist permeating the air quiet and solemn.

Gentle footsteps entered the space, so subtle they were almost inaudible. Yet the woman kneeling beneath the Guanyin statue with closed eyes suddenly opened them slightly.

“What have you come for?”

The woman was Mother Ji, Su Rong. Before meeting Father Ji, she was a heroic and spirited girl who walked the martial arts world. Later, for the sake of love, she married Father Ji and restrained her temperament, focusing on being the matriarch of the Ji Family Manor. Now, decades having passed, her aura had grown increasingly rounded, as if she no longer had sharp edges.

But Ji Yan knew that when this person chose to be stubborn, she would be stubborn, not a bit less than in her youth. For example, now. Thus, he sighed in his heart and said:

“Are you still blaming me?”

Blaming him for disregarding Liang’er’s life, blaming him for not bringing back the… rebellious son’s corpse.

“I wouldn’t dare.”

As the plain words left her mouth, Mother Ji closed her eyes again. From beginning to end, her gaze did not fall upon him, as if no one else were there.

The air seemed to return to silence instantly.

Ji Yan stood by her side with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the Buddha statue before him. The Guanyin’s eyes were lowered, as if containing endless compassion for the world.

When he did not speak, the room was quietly silent, to the point that a falling needle could be heard. A kind of oppression, as if even time had stopped, flowed slowly through the air.

It was not until a servant appeared at the door and called Father Ji that this quiet and oppressive atmosphere was broken.

The sound of departing footsteps rang out, crossing the threshold and moving further away until they were completely inaudible.

Beneath the Guanyin statue, Mother Ji slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were lifeless, and a trace of tears faintly flashed through them.

…

On the other side, the departing Ji Yan strode forward. The servant following at his side reported hurriedly:

“It is Young Master Gu’s man; he says he must see you personally.”

Arriving at the front hall, upon entering the door, he saw a warrior dressed in short-style martial attire standing in the hall, indeed a familiar face who often followed Yun’er.

Upon seeing Ji Yan, the warrior immediately explained his purpose: “This is a letter the Alliance Leader wrote to you.”

A letter was handed over; Ji Yan reached out and took it, saying, “You’ve worked hard. Sit down and have a cup of hot tea.”

“No, I have urgent matters. Farewell.”

The warrior cupped his hands in salute and, before Ji Yan could urge him to stay, left the hall like a gust of wind.

Ji Yan watched him depart, and only after a good while did he lower his head to look at the letter in his hand. He wondered why Yun’er would send a letter; could it be that he had encountered some difficulty in the Martial Arts Alliance?

Thinking this, he casually tore open the envelope, took out the rice paper inside, placed it before his eyes, and read the content line by line.

After a long moment, the paper suddenly slipped from his hand.

…

In the Martial Arts Alliance, Alliance Leader Gu, who had been missing for half a month, had finally returned. It was a cause for celebration and allowed the few who knew the reason to finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, a question followed.

That day, was the person the Li brothers saw truly that rebel?

However, seeing Alliance Leader Gu’s seemingly nonchalant expression, they didn’t dare speak or ask. They did not know that Gu Yun was equally conflicted in his heart.

When they left Pangxi Village, Ji Liang had woken up only two hours later. When he woke, he was in a moving carriage; lifting the curtain, he saw the figure of Alliance Leader Gu driving the vehicle.

Gu Yun had already sensed him waking. Thus, when he turned his head, not knowing with what mood to face him, he saw his Big Brother slightly curl the corners of his mouth and say to him:

“Alliance Leader Gu truly does whatever he pleases.”

How could Gu Yun not hear the sarcasm and sting in those words? He had already made up his mind to take his Big Brother back, so he just pretended he hadn’t heard anything and gave a sheepish smile.

In fact, this was much better than the reaction he had imagined his Big Brother would have upon waking such as a thunderous rage.

True, Ji Liang might have had hidden anger in his heart, but being angry to the extreme, he laughed instead. By now, he didn’t know how long he had been unconscious or how much time had passed; returning to Pangxi Village was clearly unrealistic. Furthermore, whether Gu Yun would obstruct him was another matter; given his persistent desire to bring him back, the possibility was very high.

Or perhaps, from the moment this person appeared in Pangxi Village and appeared before him, this present moment was already destined.

One cannot act of one’s own volition.

Following that, Gu Yun was astonished by his Big Brother’s calm demeanor. He didn’t flee, nor did he express any plan to return to that small village. Aside from that sarcastic remark when he first woke up, he remained silent throughout the journey. This allowed Gu Yun to breathe a sigh of relief while also giving rise to a faint, uneasy premonition.

In the end, fearing Big Brother was worried about the people in that village, Gu Yun still said: “Before leaving, I left a letter for that youth.”

The letter naturally explained Ji Liang’s departure without saying goodbye. Of course, the reason might not have been very truthful, but it was all that could be done. It wouldn’t result in an unaccounted-for disappearance, though it was a pity that Pangxi Village might lose a distinguished schoolteacher.

Ji Liang remained emotionless, merely looking at the medicinal juice he brewed with his own hands, occasionally lifting the lid to stir it.

Yes, considering Big Brother’s weak body and the several days’ journey back, it was clearly impossible to use fast horses or light-body techniques to shorten the time. Thus, Gu Yun had even prepared the medicinal ingredients and the earthenware pot for brewing, all to prevent this exact situation.

However, Big Brother did not trust him. When he offered to help, he was rejected without hesitation. Therefore, Big Brother brewed the medicine himself, and he only helped by picking up some firewood.

One week later, familiar scenery gradually appeared before Ji Liang’s eyes—the place where the original host had stayed for over twenty years in his memory.

Ji Family Manor.