The Heartthrob Protagonist's Early-Deceased 'White Moonlight' Has Come Back to Life - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Seeking Treatment

Yu Heng’s return was sudden, and since he had headed straight for Jiang Xuning’s quarters, it was several hours before the Jiang parents found out.

By the time they met, it was already at the banquet.

Speaking of which, the relationship between the Head of the Jiang family and Yu Heng was not particularly close. Aside from saving him from human traffickers and bringing him into the manor and providing a bit of food along the way he had no intention of further supervision. His original intent was merely to find a playmate for his young son at the time.

But now, things are different. The once-destitute child had somehow caught the eye of the current number-one sect. Transforming in a single bound, he had become a cultivator and a disciple of Immortal Venerable Zhongyi; his status was naturally no longer the same. Coupled with the state of the world today, a small merchant like himself was in no position to compare.

Therefore, even though Yu Heng had once been taken into his household, he did not dare to be presumptuous or negligent. He hurriedly arranged this banquet, fearing he might provoke some dissatisfaction.

There was only one point that baffled him: Yu Heng had not sent any news for five years after leaving the manor. Why had he suddenly returned today?

However, before he could think through the reasons or ask his questions, Yu Heng, seated below, spoke first.

“Uncle Jiang, I want to take Brother Xuning back to the Tianyan Sect.”

One sentence stirred a thousand waves. As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the table shifted instantly. Especially for Huo Ling, the surrounding air pressure dropped significantly though not as intensely as before. He simply stared fixedly at the purple-clad youth, his thoughts unknown.

At that moment, Jiang Xuning was eating the emerald jade shrimp Yu Heng had just served him. Hearing this, he was also full of confusion, the food losing its flavor.

“This… what is the meaning of this?”

The Head of the Jiang family suddenly snapped back to his senses, reining in his loss of composure to ask tentatively. It wasn’t that he was cowardly, but the matter was too sudden and involved his young son.

Yu Heng perhaps saw the reason for the hesitation. Before anyone could ask further, he hurriedly added, “To be honest, Uncle Jiang, my reason for taking Brother Xuning back to the Tianyan Sect is actually to treat the illness in his body.”

That illness had truly come too fiercely. Although Jiang Xuning had been lucky enough to claw his life back, he had been muddled by the fever. Combined with the fact that everything happening to him was too absurd, he had spent the past half-month living in a fog. Originally, he had wondered why Yu Heng returned so suddenly, but Yu Heng’s abrupt words just now completely jolted him awake, bringing back many memories.

He had forgotten that in his previous life, after he fell into the water, Yu Heng actually had returned.

At that time, although his life was no longer in danger, his body was still weak. He spent his days in a daze, mostly staying in his room. Even the news of Yu Heng’s return was told to him by A-Liang. By the time he forced his body to go to the front hall, what he heard was precisely these words.

He hadn’t met him directly, only peeking through the half-closed window. It was the A-Heng he hadn’t seen for a long time, just like five years prior, but taller, and his features even more outstanding. He was like wild-growing grass or an unruly wind. At that time, there was another person by his side; he heard A-Heng call him Senior Brother Huo.

Father Jiang had always cherished his youngest son. Moreover, because Xuning was sensible and polite, the father usually prioritized Xuning’s own wishes. Therefore, he could not make this decision alone and sent someone to find Xuning so he could be asked.

In the third month of early spring, a light rain fell. A single door separated the two. Outside the room was Yu Heng’s voice requesting Jiang Xuning to go to the Tianyan Sect with him. And how did he answer back then? That’s right he refused.

Everyone in the manor had intended to hide it from him, but they didn’t know he already knew: he would not live long. It was his destined fate to die young. The root of the illness had sunk deep into his frame; there was no way to save him, no medicine to cure him. Awakening from the fall into the water was merely a stroke of luck.

Furthermore, five years ago, he had already checked the spiritual roots in his body. It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of using cultivation to extend his life, but unlike Yu Heng’s extraordinary talent, he only had “miscellaneous” spiritual roots intertwined and incredibly complex. There was no possibility of cultivation in this life; it was a predetermined dead end.

Also, his will to live at that time was not strong. The torment of illness made life a living hell, and the path of cultivation was cut off. Rather than seeking a barren future, it was better to cherish the scenery before him and stay by his parents’ side.

However, that was different from now. Now, he wanted to live!

Sure enough, the Head of the Jiang family did not respond immediately upon hearing this, but instead looked at his young son, who was lost in thought.

“Ning-er, what do you think of this matter?”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone’s gaze fell on Jiang Xuning.

He could feel Huo Ling’s slightly cold eyes, his parents’ loving gaze, and the intense anticipation in Yu Heng’s eyes.

“Go with me, Brother Xuning.”

The hand holding his continued to tighten with an indescribable warmth. For some reason, Jiang Xuning saw a hint of pleading in that gaze.

“I will stay with you always.”

He said this in a voice only the two of them could hear. Hearing this, Xuning’s heart couldn’t help but tighten, and then he heard his own voice say, “Okay, I’ll go.”

Jiang Xuning thought that since he wanted to live, he had to do something different. Going to the Tianyan Sect might be his only hope for survival.

“My son, when you are away from home, it is not like being at home. Be cautious in all things and careful on the journey.”

Outside the Jiang Manor, the Jiang parents reminded him repeatedly, following him step by step, seemingly unable to bear parting for even a moment.

When their young son agreed to go to the Tianyan Sect with Yu Heng for medical treatment, they were naturally happy, even if it was only a glimmer of hope. However, the journey was truly far, and they ultimately wouldn’t be able to look after him, making them involuntarily worried.

Jiang Xuning naturally knew what they were thinking. He raised his hand to touch them as a form of comfort.

“Father, Mother, I will be fine.”

But his gaze couldn’t help but fall on the extra strands of white hair at their temples. Once upon a time, the Jiang couple were the “immortal couple” spoken of by others—a talented young man and a noble lady, a perfect match. But time had shown on their faces, and now only exhaustion remained.

Jiang Xuning knew well that the cause mostly stemmed from him. The illness tormented his body and also tormented his parents. Over the years, they had sought medical help everywhere for his sickly body and were already exhausted.

“Yes, please rest assured, Uncle Jiang. I will take good care of Brother Xuning.”

Yu Heng interjected at the right time, raising his hand to make a promise.

“Good, good, good.”

The Head of the Jiang family said “good” several times in a row, reaching out to pat his shoulder. His furrowed brows finally relaxed. Childhood friendship is, after all, unforgettable.

“Young Master…”

A-Liang was teary-eyed, his face full of reluctance. He had been by his side since the Young Master was born. Now, parting so suddenly was truly difficult. However, there was no choice; the place they were going was a land of immortals, so they could not just bring anyone along. Therefore, Jiang Xuning could not take him.

So, A-Liang could only see them off with the others, saying aggrievedly, “Come back early.”

Jiang Xuning nodded and was about to give a few more instructions, but in the next moment, he saw A-Liang who had been crying sadly suddenly change his expression. He stepped back two paces, and his eyes were filled only with fear.

Feeling it was strange, Jiang Xuning subconsciously looked back and discovered it was because of Huo Ling.

“Let’s go.”

Huo Ling’s tone was flat, not caring about the anomaly. With a wave of his hand, a flying boat appeared before them, floating in mid-air. It was extremely marvelous. Although cultivators are common nowadays, seeing such a peculiar magical treasure appear before one’s eyes still drew gasps of admiration. After all, it was rare to see.

“Let’s go, Brother Xuning.”

Yu Heng reached out his hand to him, signaling him to take it. Jiang Xuning hesitated for a moment but reached out and gripped it firmly.

“Go back now.”

Once aboard the flying boat, he couldn’t help but look back once more. To be honest, he didn’t feel good either. Having finally started over, he had only spent a few days with his parents before having to part again. But it didn’t matter, he thought. Once the trip to the Tianyan Sect was over, he would return to Yuecheng and stay by his parents’ side for a long time.