Sect Master Wen's Junior Martial Brother Who Shared His Hardships Has Returned - Chapter 4

Just as Xu Chaoqi was feeling bored.

Fu Xuandao held a huge bundle of official documents above his head, treading up the towering heavenly ladder, cautiously walking upward.

As always, he first saw the soil on either side of the heavenly ladder. By the time the flowers and grass grew more abundant, the spiritual energy around him had also grown dense.

He stepped onto another tier of the heavenly ladder, and it felt as though he had passed through something. He raised his head slightly, and the distant immortal palace could actually be seen as a faint silhouette.

Just then, an unfamiliar aura beside him made him stop. He turned his head and saw Grand Ancestor Xu gazing at him expectantly.

Fu Xuandao was slightly stunned, then bowed and bent forward in salute. “Grand Ancestor Xu.”

Xu Chaoqi examined Fu Xuandao carefully, glancing at times toward the entrance the other had just come through, and at times lowering his head to look at himself.

He cleared his throat and asked in a low voice, “How did you get through this barrier?”

Fu Xuandao had managed the affairs of Yingtian Sect, great and small, for many years, and had long since become steady and composed in everything. Yet Xu Chaoqi’s exquisite appearance and pure gaze caught him off guard, and without thinking he asked in confusion, “What barrier is there here?”

The moment he finished speaking, his scalp instantly went cold, and a sheet of sweat broke out across his back.

His pupils shrank slightly, and he bowed his head low, only hoping the Sect Master had not heard what he had just said.

Xu Chaoqi frowned. Right in front of Fu Xuandao, he pushed his hand outward, and sure enough his hand was blocked by an invisible barrier, his palm flattening into a line.

“Why am I the only one locked in by a barrier…” Xu Chaoqi murmured, his lashes lowering.

Fu Xuandao bent his waist even further, not daring to respond.

He could hardly say that his Grand Ancestor was keeping a beloved hidden away in a golden house, could he? Though his lifespan was long, it could not withstand such trouble.

Xu Chaoqi looked at the barrier beside him. The barrier made his palm feel ice-cold, as if someone were digging into his heart with a shovel—though in truth he understood the reason well enough.

No matter what he was thinking inside, on the surface he became relaxed again.

Xu Chaoqi looked at Fu Xuandao, who was holding a pile of official documents, and out of the corner of his eye caught the heavenly ladder stretching straight into the clouds. His eyes turned, and he proposed, “The heavenly ladder is so high—walking on foot alone would take at least half a day. Why don’t you fly up with a spell, and carry me along the way?”

As he spoke, his smile was brimming, and his fingertips pinched at a talisman paper at his waist.

He had used up quite a bit of spiritual power controlling his paper crane today, and returning by himself would be difficult; it would be better to let someone carry him, saving some effort.

Hearing this, Fu Xuandao looked toward the immortal palace stretching into the clouds, and could not help but feel somewhat tempted by Xu Chaoqi’s suggestion.

Physical stamina meant nothing to him; it was only that he was always so busy. If he could fly up to the immortal palace today, he could save half a day’s time.

Ordinarily he would never dare be so bold—but what if the person before him was Grand Ancestor Xu?

A smile rose to Fu Xuandao’s face. He bowed to Xu Chaoqi and said gently, “Of course it can be done.”

The immortal palace carried an oppressive pressure; for an ordinary immortal technique to be usable at even one-tenth strength was already excellent. Though it would be no trouble for Fu Xuandao to carry someone while flying, he was mindful of Grand Ancestor Xu’s safety, fearing he might cause even the slightest harm, and so did not dare use a spell to lift him bodily.

He stood beside Xu Chaoqi, letting the other hold onto his sleeve.

Xu Chaoqi’s eyes shone with light. Just as his hands were about to touch the wide sleeve, there was suddenly a stir nearby.

The two of them stopped, and at the same moment they both looked toward where the sound had come from. They saw the flowers and grass ahead swaying, and a small flying boat drifting slowly over.

The moment Fu Xuandao saw the small flying boat he was somewhat startled, and then lowered his head, his expression turning cautious.

Xu Chaoqi looked at the small flying boat a few more times, and finally recalled its origin.

This small flying boat had been refined by his Senior Martial Brother, and could carry him anywhere he wished to go!

Xu Chaoqi’s eyes lit up, immediately understanding that the small flying boat had been sent by his Senior Martial Brother to fetch him.

He walked over to the small flying boat, swung a leg over, and stood upon it.

Xu Chaoqi was tall and slender, and paired with the golden flying boat he appeared even more full of youthful vigor—his red robes fluttering, his fair face and exquisite features beautiful as if he had stepped out of a painting.

He turned his head, his eyes curving as he looked at Fu Xuandao. “Come up. Let’s fly up together.”

Fu Xuandao gazed at the golden flying boat and fell silent, bending his waist even lower.

The flying boat was an artifact from a thousand years ago, personally refined by the Grand Ancestor. When the artifact had first come into being, five-colored auroral light had appeared, and at the same time the entire Southern Region had been shrouded in dark clouds, with a hundred bolts of heavenly thunder falling.

No one knew what grade the artifact was.

Ordinarily in the world, artifacts were divided into four tiers—Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow—with Heaven-tier as the highest and Yellow-tier as entry-level.

Since this flying boat had been completed, people had found themselves unable to measure it by grade at all. All that was known was that it could travel freely across the Twenty-Seven Regions, its speed unmatched by anyone or any artifact that tried to catch up.

After recalling all this, Fu Xuandao’s gaze toward the flying boat grew even more solemn.

Suddenly he seemed to sense something, and in an instant he stiffened, his robes nearly soaked through with sweat.

If the Grand Ancestor had been able to send the flying boat in time, that meant he had been watching this place all along—then what he himself had just said about the barrier…

His heart hung suspended in midair, unable to settle for a long while.

Seeing that the other did not move, Xu Chaoqi reminded him once more.

How would Fu Xuandao dare go up now? He stole a glance at the flying boat—besides, this flying boat could only hold one person, and there was no room left.

He looked down at the flowers and grass on the ground, and forced a smile. “I nearly forgot—though the heavenly ladder is tall, it is also tempering my heart of the Dao. I mustn’t neglect my cultivation. Grand Ancestor Xu, please go up first. I must walk up step by step to seek the Dao.”

Xu Chaoqi’s eyes showed suspicion, but seeing Fu Xuandao’s attitude was firm, he could only set the thought aside and return alone first.

The flying boat rose gradually higher, the cool wind lifting Xu Chaoqi’s ink-black hair.

Xu Chaoqi turned his head to look at the immortal palace drawing ever nearer. The smile on his face grew shallower, and his eyes carried a touch more complicated emotion.

The immortal palace stood level with the setting sunset glow, petals dyed golden by the glow dancing wildly across the sky. Xu Chaoqi passed through the petals and landed before the immortal palace.

He got off the flying boat and walked toward the interior of the immortal palace. The moment he stepped beneath the eaves he was covered in shadow, and the hall inside visibly dimmed.

Xu Chaoqi walked through the empty immortal palace, passing towering stone pillars a full arm’s span thick. He caught sight of his Senior Martial Brother.

His Senior Martial Brother wore a Daoist robe of white with ink-black hems, holding a black stone piece, playing a game of Go. The board before him scattered a faint blue light, wrapped in mist that made it appear hazy.

By the time Xu Chaoqi walked to face his Senior Martial Brother, he crouched down to look over the board. He saw that the board did not have crisscrossing grid lines, but instead countless scenes—it seemed to contain mountains and rivers, and cities one after another…

He lowered his head, his lashes trembling.

“What’s wrong?” his Senior Brother asked with a smile.

Xu Chaoqi said in a low hum. “Senior Brother…”

“I was wrong.” The hall fell utterly silent, save for Xu Chaoqi’s clear, bright voice bringing on echoes.

The hand holding the black stone piece hung suspended in midair, not setting it down for a long while.

Wen Chaoxi did not speak, yet Xu Chaoqi tipped over the Go board and threw himself straight into his Senior Brother’s embrace.

“Senior Brother, I was wrong…” Xu Chaoqi wrapped his arms around the other, his forehead pressed against the broad chest.

The white-based Daoist robe was embroidered with bamboo patterns, separating Xu Chaoqi from him, and also making his forehead feel cold.

“Senior Brother…” He lifted his head, his breath spilling over the other’s throat.

The black stone piece had been dropped to the floor at some point, yet the hall remained silent still.

The air seemed to congeal, growing gradually more scorching.

When they had first reunited, it had felt as if they had never been apart—yet how could the passage of all these years truly be smoothed over?

Beneath the former calm lay hidden turbulent waves, ready to surge up at any moment, uncontrollable once unleashed.

When Xu Chaoqi had encountered his Senior Brother who was no longer young, there had been guilt in his heart—only he had never dared to face it. Now that he had laid everything bare, he was not afraid of the consequences, especially since the person before him was his Senior Brother.

Wen Chaoxi lowered his eyes. Xu Chaoqi held him tightly, his thick lashes trembling constantly, his face pressed very close.

Ten thousand years had passed—how could there be no resentment?

He sat still, and though Xu Chaoqi remained restless the whole time, he did not move at all.

Not until a moment later did ten thousand years of gloom and resentment turn into a single sigh.

At last he embraced the person in his arms in return.

“From now on… you must not stay too far from Senior Brother.”

Xu Chaoqi nodded, knocking his head against Wen Chaoxi’s chest. Wen Chaoxi raised his hand to shield Xu Chaoqi’s forehead, so the other would not hurt himself from the impact.

****

By the time Fu Xuandao made his way up, the sky had already grown dark.

When he walked into the hall, Grand Ancestor Xu was nowhere to be seen. The Grand Ancestor was just then getting up to put away the Go board. Fu Xuandao stepped forward to bow, lifting the pile of official documents above his head.

“Grand Ancestor, the Centennial Grand Competition approaches. The Region Lords of all Twenty-Seven Regions have sent letters of respect.” He paused, then continued. “I wonder if the Grand Ancestor intends to descend the mountain for this Grand Competition? This disciple would like to inform the various Region Lords so they may prepare.”

Wen Chaoxi, tidying up the Go board, replied flatly. “No need.”

Fu Xuandao understood at once—it seemed the Grand Ancestor would once again not descend the mountain this time, and the Twenty-Seven Region Lords would likely return empty-handed for nothing!

After Wen Chaoxi finished putting away the Go board, he rolled up his sleeves as he walked outward, which left Fu Xuandao somewhat puzzled.

Why would the Grand Ancestor be rolling up his sleeves?

If the Grand Ancestor was going somewhere, his disciple should naturally follow.

Wen Chaoxi glanced at him but said nothing.

Fu Xuandao watched as the Grand Ancestor walked into a side hall. The moment he entered, he was so startled by the dazzling array of kitchen utensils inside that he nearly lost his grip on the official documents.

The Grand Ancestor’s sleeves were already rolled up, and he casually picked up some ingredients.

Fu Xuandao hurriedly spoke up. “Grand Ancestor!”

Wen Chaoxi stopped, turning his head to glance at Fu Xuandao out of the corner of his eye.

Fu Xuandao lowered his gaze humbly and said, “Before, this disciple used to cook as well before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage—why not let this disciple do it?”

Wen Chaoxi let out a laugh, leaving Fu Xuandao at a loss as to why. But seeing that the Grand Ancestor had no intention of letting him help, his gaze turned to the ingredients, and inspiration surfaced in his mind. He proposed. “I imagine the Grand Ancestor is cooking for Grand Ancestor Xu. Actually, there is a dining hall at the foot of the mountain—if in the future the Grand Ancestor is too busy to attend to this, the dining hall below could prepare the food and send it up.”

Fu Xuandao knew that Grand Ancestor Xu’s health was not good, and given that Grand Ancestor Xu had only just been brought back, it was not strange that the Grand Ancestor would personally take to the kitchen.

Hearing this, Wen Chaoxi did not stop the movement of his hands, casually saying as he cut the vegetables. “His stomach is delicate—he can’t stomach food cooked by others.”

Fu Xuandao paused in his response, but for some reason, the more he thought about this remark, the stranger it seemed.

By the time Fu Xuandao came out of the side hall, the sky had already turned dark.

Holding the tall stack of official documents, he knew in his heart that tonight he would probably have to clear through all the backlog of matters here.

He first set the documents down in an empty hall, and reviewed and corrected them alone for half an hour.

The bright moon stood level with the window, mist gathering upon the windowpane.

Looking at the moonlight outside the window, he straightened his back, feeling rare fatigue.

He pushed open the hall door, and the cool wind greeted him; the tightness in his shoulders loosened somewhat.

This place was truly wonderful indeed—what a pity this was also an opportunity that came only once a century.

Since he rarely came to the immortal palace, he thought he would go out for a walk.

Tonight was not especially cold, and it was a rare chance for Xu Chaoqi to come out and wander at night.

The moon stood level with the immortal palace—a sight rarely seen. Xu Chaoqi found a set of steps and sat down right there on the ground.

Petals had scattered across the steps. He bent down to pick up a petal, and a shadow fell over him.

He looked up—it was Fu Xuandao.

Under the moonlight, two shadows fell upon the steps.

“Descending the mountain? Someone has invited my Senior Brother down the mountain?” Xu Chaoqi’s interest was piqued.

“Indeed.” Fu Xuandao said with a smile, his face rarely showing a trace of complicated feeling.

“And you couldn’t persuade him?” Xu Chaoqi blinked his bright eyes.

Fu Xuandao shook his head and sighed, smiling bitterly. “For however many years now, there has been no one in this world who could persuade the Grand Ancestor to move.”

Xu Chaoqi, however, seemed not to have heard at all. He looked toward the mountain ranges ahead.

“Senior Brother won’t let me stray too far from him—but if the ‘mountain’ won’t come find me, then I’ll go find the ‘mountain.'”

“Hm?” Fu Xuandao did not understand.

“You’re descending the mountain tomorrow, aren’t you?”

Fu Xuandao nodded. “Indeed.”

Xu Chaoqi seemed lost in thought. “Then tonight I’ll go find my Senior Martial Brother.”

“Ah?” Fu Xuandao exclaimed in surprise, “Can he be persuaded in just one night?”

Xu Chaoqi frowned and sucked in a breath, “It should be possible.”

Xu Chaoqi curled his fingers, turning his head to look toward where his Senior Brother resided, the faint light from the window reflected in the depths of his eyes.