Chapter 115: Farewell

Yao Ye sat alone by the creek, clutching a jug of wine. Lost in the echoes of his own history, a look of desolation clouded his face as he stared, unmoving, at the rushing water.

Xiao Lian noticed his tall, lonely silhouette against the moonlight. She walked over and sat down beside him. "Big Brother, you look so weary and world-weary. Could you tell me your story?"

Yao Ye looked at her, meeting her sincere, clear eyes with a faint smile. He took a long drink of wine and began to speak slowly. As he recounted how his entire clan had been slaughtered and the suffering he had endured, tears welled up in Xiao Lian’s eyes. She leaned her head gently against his shoulder.

"And what about you, Xiao Lian? Where are your parents?"

At the mention of her parents, fresh tears fell. "My father went into the mountains to hunt and never returned. My mother was so grief-stricken that she insisted on going to find him, but after she left, she never came back either."

Seeing her spirits sink, Yao Ye gently stroked her hair. Xiao Lian quickly wiped her tears and asked, "Big Brother, what happened after you entered the academy?"

The question pulled Yao Ye back into his memories, and a blissful smile touched his lips. Xiao Lian watched him, mesmerized. As he spoke, her expressions shifted in rhythm with his tale. They talked until the eastern horizon turned a pale, milky white. When he heard her go quiet, Yao Ye turned to find that Xiao Lian had fallen asleep, leaning against him.

Yao Ye chuckled softly. After a moment of contemplation, he closed his eyes and whispered, "Old Ding, can you do me a favor?"

"You want to help her?" Old Ding’s figure materialized, looking at Yao Ye with a smile. "I am happy you feel this way. I once feared that the suffering you endured might twist your heart and change your nature."

Yao Ye nodded with a smile. "Hardship cannot stop my path. Old Ding, do you have a way?"

Old Ding nodded in approval, took a secret manual from his robe, and handed it to him.

"Thank you, Old Ding. It’s good to have you with me."

Old Ding stroked his beard, cast a loving look at Yao Ye, and vanished back into the Cauldron of Creation. Yao Ye looked at the manual, then at Xiao Lian, his expression softening with affection.

Birds sang their beautiful melody in the trees, and the stream hummed a graceful counterpoint as it tumbled along. The insects beat their wings, providing the rhythm for the symphony of the forest. Everything seemed perfectly serene. Bathed in sunlight, Yao Ye watched the creek, lost in thought, until a murmur broke his reverie. Xiao Lian rubbed her eyes and sat up.

"Big Brother, I’m sorry, I fell asleep last night!"

Xiao Lian lowered her head in embarrassment. Yao Ye smiled and ruffled her hair.

"Xiao Lian, I must leave today. I have a gift for you—would you like it?"

Hearing he was leaving, Xiao Lian looked up in a panic, gripping his hands tightly. "Brother, why do you have to go? Did I do something wrong?"

Yao Ye looked firmly toward the horizon. "Xiao Lian, I have my own mission to fulfill. I must go, but rest assured, I will come back to see you. This is a gift for you; study it diligently, and when I return, I will take you out into the world."

Xiao Lian accepted the manual solemnly, looking at him with reluctance as she clutched it to her chest.

"Xiao Lian, I won't say goodbye to Elder Zang or the others. I dislike the sorrow of parting. I shall take my leave now. Remember to practice hard—I will be checking your progress when I return!"

"I will! I promise, Brother. If you ever grow tired, come back. This is your home!"

Yao Ye finished the last of his wine, stood up, and walked toward the depths of the forest. Xiao Lian watched him until he disappeared from sight, then lowered her head, holding the manual to her heart and making a silent vow. "Big Brother, I will work hard, and one day, I will be the one to help you!"

As Yao Ye entered the forest, his mood darkened. He glanced back at the village where smoke curled from the chimneys before setting off with renewed determination. "Once the demons are purged, I will return. And then, I will never leave again."

After composing himself, he followed his map and picked up his pace. What Yao Ye did not know was that this departure would be his final farewell to Elder Zang and Xiao Lian.

***

"Boss, this must be the village. The golden light definitely originated from here!"

A group of men approached the nameless village from the other side, watching silently as the villagers enjoyed their breakfast, filled with laughter.

"Hmph, just a bunch of commoners. Let’s go! Into the village!"

The men swarmed into the village. The residents gathered around curiously; although not entirely isolated, the village was remote and rarely saw visitors. They were bewildered by the sudden arrival of so many strangers.

"Listen up, all of you! You have one hour to hand over the treasure, or we will slaughter this entire village!"

Seeing the armed, vicious-looking men, Elder Zang hurried forward. "Kind sirs, may I ask what is the matter? If there is something you need, please tell us. I am the village elder."

"Hmph, you’re a sensible old man, aren’t you? I was training in the forest and saw golden light shooting into the sky from your village. Hand over the treasure, and we’ll leave."

"Treasure? We have no treasure here. We are just ordinary people; how could we possess such things?"

The leader’s subordinate stepped forward and kicked Elder Zang to the ground. "You old fool, do you think you can play games with us?"

"Grandfather! Are you alright, Elder?" Xiao Lian rushed over to help him up, while the other villagers glared at the intruders with fury.

The leader’s eyes fixed on Xiao Lian, captivated by her pure and delicate beauty.

"Get out of our village! You are not welcome here!"

Faced with the villagers' insults, the young leader’s expression darkened. He signaled to his men. "Kill them all, except for that girl!"

The villagers were merely ordinary folk; against these bloodthirsty bandits, they were like lambs to the slaughter, falling one by one into pools of blood. The leader laughed, grabbed Xiao Lian, and dragged her toward a house.

"You beasts! Let my granddaughter go!"

"Still yapping? Die!"

The subordinate struck Elder Zang in the back with his blade, and the old man collapsed, his heart filled with bitter regret. Xiao Lian screamed in agony, but she was dragged into the house, held fast by the leader.

"Yao Ye, stop! Something has happened to the village—the sky is filled with fire!"

Hearing Old Ding’s warning, Yao Ye stopped in his tracks. His heart burning with dread, he ran back, even reverting to his true form. "Elder Zang, Xiao Lian, please, let nothing happen to you! Wait for me!"

Along the way, Yao Ye used his superior aura to command a horde of wild, untamed beasts to race toward the village.