Chapter 988 - The Brothers Part Ways
Buzz!
Flames of every color suddenly appeared and shot into Cao Yan’s body from all directions. The pill fragrance lingering over the Gu clan gathered around him, forming layers upon layers of mysterious halos that would not disperse.
The scene startled even Xiang Huaizhi, who teleported over instantly. Sensing that Cao Yan was about to awaken, he glanced at Li Guanqi and said quietly, “I’ll wait for you.”
The aura roused Xiao Chen as well. He flashed over to Li Guanqi’s side, his eyes wide. “Tsk tsk. Boss, Third Brother’s got some serious talent. Why does he even bother with fist techniques?”
Gu Li bristled from the side. “What’s that supposed to mean? Taking a jab at me for having no ambition? I’d love to learn other weapons too. I just can’t get the damn things down!”
Xiao Chen snickered, then fell silent as Cao Yan awoke.
Cao Yan floated in midair in his dark blue robes, looking otherworldly and every bit as gentle and refined as a scholar. Only those close to him knew what a madman he became during fights.
Cao Yan slowly opened his eyes, and blue-purple flames flickered within them. The halos dissolved into motes of spirit light and sank into his body. He exhaled turbid qi, grayish-black wisps escaping from the corners of his mouth.
Swoosh!
Cao Yan appeared beside the other three, looking faintly embarrassed. “Boss.”
Li Guanqi nodded and gave his shoulder a gentle pat. That small gesture dispelled Cao Yan’s lingering, inexplicable unease. Pressing his lips together, he looked up at Li Guanqi.
The four sat around a stone table. Li Guanqi brought out a jar of strong liquor and filled their cups, then looked from one brother to the next. Meng Wanshu sat quietly nearby.
“I’ve found a master for each of you,” Li Guanqi said.
Nobody spoke at first. Only Gu Li’s eyes flickered.
“The Eight Generals. You should all have met them by now. I don’t know whether they’ll accept you as disciples, but you should at least be able to train under them for a while.”
Cao Yan lowered his head, turning the wine cup in his hands. Unable to meet Li Guanqi’s gaze, he said quietly, “Eldest Brother... do I have to go? Second Brother...”
Li Guanqi frowned and snapped, “Leave Second Brother to me! I’ll use every resource I have to find him. Right now, you need to do everything you can to get stronger!”
Cao Yan raised his head to protest, but Gu Li reached out to stop him.
Li Guanqi glared at the frowning Cao Yan and threw a punch. Cao Yan crossed his arms to block, but the punch drove him backward. His feet gouged two deep furrows in the ground as his bones cracked. Lightning crackled in the air before them, and space ripped open with ease.
Gu Li and Xiao Chen watched in horror. Even Meng Wanshu had not expected Li Guanqi to strike. Li Guanqi rose, his chest heaving and his eyes red, and roared, “Look at yourself! What can you do with your current strength? Even if you found Sha, could you rescue Second Brother?”
Xiao Chen felt Li Guanqi was going too far and stood up. “Eldest Brother, Third Brother was just trying to...”
“Shut up!”
Boom!
Lightning exploded from Li Guanqi’s body, and a ten-zhang radius of empty space shattered instantly!
𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
His gaze was sharp as a blade. Xiao Chen immediately closed his mouth.
“I know you’re all anxious. I’m more anxious than any of you! I’m even more worried about him! With our strength, even if we found Second Brother, what could we do? With a handful of Combined Body Realm cultivators, do you think we could kill Sha? More than a dozen Mahayana Realm powerhouses couldn’t kill him. Could you? Could any of you?”
Cao Yan knelt on one knee with his arms hanging limp. Blood dripped steadily from his sleeves, pattering against the ground.
Cao Yan lowered his head. He had bitten the flesh off his lip.
He didn’t blame Li Guanqi for hitting him; he understood the good intentions behind it. Besides, they were talking about the Eight Generals. What kind of price had Li Guanqi paid, and what pride had he swallowed, just to plead with them on his brothers’ behalf?
Cao Yan slowly raised his head, red-eyed, lips pressed tight, and felt a sudden sting in his nose. “I understand, Big Brother... I’ll go!”
Li Guanqi reined in his restless vital force and took several deep breaths, then slowly turned his gaze toward the sky.
Straightening his white robe, he cupped his fists, bent at the waist in a deep bow, and spoke in a solemn voice, “Senior Xiang, I’m entrusting him to you...”
Xiang Huaizhi stepped out of the void, his figure shimmering. He looked down at Li Guanqi and nodded sincerely. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach him well. Whether he ultimately succeeds... will be up to him.”
Li Guanqi got up with a smile, walked over to Cao Yan, and kicked him squarely in the backside. “Get out of here, and don’t you dare embarrass me. Someone else has their eye on becoming Senior Xiang’s successor too. If you make me lose face, I’ll teach you a lesson!”
Cao Yan sniffled, turned around, and threw his arms around Li Guanqi. “I won’t let you down!”
Li Guanqi’s hands stiffened for a moment, then he gently patted Cao Yan’s back. “Don’t overthink it. If I hear anything about Second Brother Ye, I’ll tell you all. Just give your training everything you’ve got. Understood?”
Cao Yan nodded firmly and murmured his assent. They parted, and Cao Yan teleported to Xiang Huaizhi’s side. Without turning to look back, he shouted, “You have to tell me! And I absolutely won’t let you down!”
Crimson flames enveloped the pair, and they vanished from the Gu clan’s domain. With Cao Yan gone, Xiao Chen stood with his lips pressed together as his eyes reddened.
Li Guanqi composed himself and turned to Xiao Chen. “Do you know who I found for you?”
“Can’t I stay?” Xiao Chen muttered.
He braced for Li Guanqi to lose his temper and hit him. Instead, Li Guanqi stood before him, watching him in silence. There was only one emotion in his eyes, and it was unmistakable.
Disappointment.
That look stirred something deep within Xiao Chen. He opened his mouth, but Li Guanqi spoke first. “If you don’t want to go, then forget it.”
Li Guanqi turned away, then glanced back at Xiao Chen, who stood at a loss. “I thought you’d had enough of being a spoiled young master. I thought you were ready to become someone others could rely on. Seems you still haven’t grown up.”
Xiao Chen’s expression changed as he recalled what Ye Qing’er had said during his visit to the Ye family.
“Xiao Chen... why are you still such a child?”
That look of disappointment in her eyes had been identical to the one in Li Guanqi’s eyes right now.
Xiao Chen closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I’ll go!”
Li Guanqi smiled. “Uncle Long, I’m counting on you!”