Grandfather and Grandson Reunited!

Leaning against the doorway, watching Tang Ru struggle to drink his medicinal soup with his incapacitated hands, Cao Yan could not help but chuckle. "It's so awkward for you, yet you didn't even think to call out?" Tang Ru scratched his head in embarrassment, glancing down at his hands, which were swollen like pig trotters. "I just figured... I could still move them a bit..." Cao Yan smiled, stood up, and walked over to Tang Ru's side. Taking the bowl and spoon from him, he began feeding him the medicine spoonful by spoonful. As he fed him, he said, "Don't push yourself so hard next time. If Xun Tian had spared even a thought to strike at you back then, you'd be dead without question." Tang Ru's expression grew solemn, and he said in a heavy voice, "Since I chose the path of a yin-yang master, I have to play my part! How could I just sit by and do nothing!" Cao Yan's face darkened. He smacked the back of Tang Ru's head, nearly sending him tumbling forward. "Let me tell you something: among us brothers, not a single one of us has to play any so-called part. "Even if you were completely crippled, you'd still be our brother. "Don't you ever think that just because your strength is a bit weaker right now, you have to make yourself look useful at every moment! "'Being useful' is completely pointless in the first place! "Because we're brothers, you're allowed to be useless—what you shouldn't do is act tough!" When Cao Yan pulled a stern face, even Xiao Chen dared not breathe loudly, to say nothing of Tang Ru. Leaning outside Li Guanqi's room, Ye Feng's lips curled into a faint smile. Cao Yan had truly grown at an astonishing pace over the past few years. A few years ago, Ye Feng would never have felt at ease leaving Li Guanqi's side. Yet now... Whether it was Cao Yan or Xiao Chen, both had grown into towering trees capable of holding their own. Though Xiao Chen remained somewhat unruly by nature, he understood what was truly important, and his temperament had tempered into unyielding tenacity. That was a quality that earned Ye Feng's genuine admiration. As for Gu Li and Tang Ru, through this ordeal facing Xun Tian, they had earned his acknowledgment as well. Tears welled in Tang Ru's eyes as he looked at Cao Yan with reddened rims. No one knew how much hardship he had endured to break through to his current realm. Whether in innate talent or spiritual root, Tang Ru lagged far behind the other five brothers. Compared to the favored darlings of heaven and monstrous prodigies of the world, the gap between them was like walking versus running. How could it be easy for Tang Ru to catch up? Only he knew the bitterness he had swallowed. That was why, ever since returning, he had constantly wanted to be someone 'useful' to everyone. He had fought desperately to prove his worth. And now, Cao Yan was telling him... between brothers, there was no need for that! Choking back a sob, Tang Ru pouted and swallowed the soup spoonful by spoonful. Suddenly, his hands did not hurt quite as much. Meanwhile, Ye Feng arrived outside a room in the rear courtyard that shimmered with immortal spiritual energy. Through the window, Ye Feng looked on in amused disbelief at Gu Li, who sat cross-legged on the floor, both hands flying. Gu Li had yet to fully recover from his injuries, his body wrapped in bandages. Yet there he was, gripping talisman brushes in both hands, frenetically drawing inscribed talismans. Taking a slight step forward, Ye Feng realized Gu Li was not just using two hands... He held a talisman brush in his mouth, and another gripped between the toes of his right foot... Four talisman brushes?! Ye Feng's eyelid twitched. Staring at the disheveled Gu Li, he was at a loss for words. It had been a full half month. For the past half month, ever since waking up on the second day after collapsing, Gu Li had not stepped outside once. Just as Ye Feng turned to leave, he heard Gu Li mutter around the brush in his mouth, "A million!! It's a million now!!!" "No... no... still far from enough... wuu wuu..." Watching Gu Li set down the brushes and rummage around frantically, Ye Feng could not help the slight upward curve of his lips. He reached into his robe and retrieved dozens of vials of greater demon essence blood—reserves he had accumulated during his time at the Heavenly Demon Hall. "Here. I have quite a bit of greater demon essence blood left. Take it and use it." Gu Li blinked in surprise, only now noticing Ye Feng standing in the doorway. Reaching out to take the jade vials, he grinned. "Heh-heh, thanks, Brother Feng." After speaking, both fell silent, an awkward stillness hanging between them. Yet Ye Feng took the initiative to break the awkwardness. A warm smile appeared on his face as he said softly, "Once Big Brother wakes up, let's become sworn brothers." A spark of delight flashed in Gu Li's eyes. His smile broadened, and he gave a firm nod. "All right, Second Brother, I'll follow your lead." After speaking, he paused for a moment and could not resist asking, "Fifth Tang is included, right?" Ye Feng chuckled and nodded. "Of course. Otherwise, wouldn't you end up being Fifth Gu? That position of Number Six is reserved for you." "Hahaha!" "Hahaha!" Their hearty laughter echoed through the air. In the other room, a faint smile also touched Meng Wanshu's face. She was quite fond of these sworn brothers around Li Guanqi. Of course... provided none of them harmed Li Guanqi. "Cough, cough... Water..." Li Guanqi, who had been comatose for over half a month, finally stirred awake. In an instant, everyone rushed into the room. Xiao Chen, who had not yet reached the wine shop, turned on his heels and bolted the moment he received word. As he ran, he shouted over his shoulder, "Old Sun! Tomorrow! I'll definitely go with you tomorrow!" Watching Xiao Chen vanish in a blur of dust, the old man opened his mouth to curse, but swallowed the words back down. Gazing after Xiao Chen's retreating figure with an unspeakable melancholy, he murmured, "If my grandson hadn't died young, he'd probably be around that age too, wouldn't he?" Hum! One formidable pressure after another manifested from the void. Immediately following, seven of the Eight Generals arrived outside the front gates of the White Jade Tower! Li Guanqi had only just awakened, and everyone was gathered in his room, momentarily unsure whether they should head outside to greet them. Yet right after, four even more terrifying auras descended with thunderous intensity! Ye Feng frowned. "The Four Kings are here! Come on, let's go out and greet them!" With those words, Ye Feng led the brothers out through the front gates. Yet the moment they stepped outside, they froze. Seven of the Eight Generals, led by Long Hou, stood respectfully outside the main gate. And the Four Kings, whom they considered lofty and untouchable, were now lined up on both sides, heads bowed in deep deference... Xiao Chen swallowed hard and sent a hushed voice transmission: "Damn... guys, who is coming? Such an enormous commotion! Even the Four Kings have to stand aside?!" Suddenly, Xiao Chen's eyes widened. "It couldn't be that Emperor Chen, who's always so elusive, arriving in person, could it?! Do we even have that kind of face?" Gu Li could not hold back anymore. Hunched over, he hissed back, "Look at yourself. Not even one of the Eight Generals came to see you! They're definitely here for Big Brother!" Ye Feng said in a low, firm voice, "All right, quiet down!" As his voice fell, a white-haired old man clad in coarse hemp robes descended slowly from the horizon. The old man wore a genial smile that seemed exceedingly warm and approachable. His figure appeared slightly lean, and his brow and eyes were full of kindly benevolence. In his hand, he held a battered pipe, exhaling rings of pale smoke. Behind him followed another white-haired old man with a water skin hanging at his waist. This elder possessed an otherworldly aura, his eyes bright and clear like a banished immortal from the heavens, radiating an awe-inspiring pressure. Li Guanqi also emerged slowly from the room, supported by Meng Wanshu. Crash! All seven generals and the Four Kings dropped to one knee and chanted in a deep, booming chorus: "Greetings, Realm Lord! Greetings, Emperor Chen!" Thud! Xiao Chen and the others dropped to one knee in unison as well. With their own 'masters' kneeling, how could they dare remain standing? Ye Feng's pupils trembled. "The Realm Lord! Emperor Chen!" Yet right at that moment, Li Guanqi's weak, teasing voice drifted into their ears. "Grandpa, does your grandson need to drop to his knees for you too?" Su Xuan smiled warmly as he took in the sight of Li Guanqi, sizing him up from head to toe with a complex look in his eyes. "Heh, if you want to kowtow to me, I won't stop you." Grandfather and grandson exchanged a smile, both feeling the sheer hardship of the path they had walked to reach this point... As they spoke, Li Guanqi's gaze drifted instinctively toward the elder standing behind Su Xuan. With a rueful smile, he said, "I never imagined that the old beggar I had such a pleasant chat with back then would turn out to be Emperor Chen. It seems this junior... truly had eyes but failed to see." The corners of Ling Tianchen's lips curled slightly. He lightly patted the water skin at his waist and chuckled. "I haven't even finished the wine you gave me, and here we are meeting again. I didn't expect it to happen so soon either." Meng Wanshu's cheeks flushed slightly. Facing the free-eating old man she had once disliked, she no longer had the nerve to scold him as she had in the past. Straightening her attire, Meng Wanshu performed a graceful wanfu curtsy and said softly, "Wanshu greets Grandpa Su."