Chapter 94. Same Bed, Different Dreams (6)

"Have you been here?"

"......"

"I have some information. Currently, Mingxulín is passing through Mengcheng. His movements are still slow, so it will take at least two days."

"I see."

"Better to wait at the entrance after noon tomorrow, just in case."

"Alright."

"Alright then."

The informant of Huangfengzheng disappeared.

Yan Hozheng, who had been leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, sighed.

"There's no other way."

Mingxulín must be captured. Not just for the sake of his deal with Murong Jun or for his reputation, but because he is bound to cause trouble at some point.

With Mingxulín's talent, he could quickly learn the fake Sashin Gong, just as Mingtian did. If he learns it without even realizing his own changes, many innocent people might get hurt in the future.

And as a master of Sashin Martial Arts, he cannot be left alone.

"Mo Fei... sigh, they say things don't go as planned."

Knowing that Anhui Blood Palace and Mo Fei were in Balong Mountain, he rushed here without looking back. But he didn't expect that Mo Fei's organization would be causing such chaos.

He had saved his life, but...

'You can't force him to come along.'

If he had any plans to cause bloodshed, he would have listened to him and decided whether to let him go or help him. After that, he planned to make him his own again.

If Mo Fei was staying in Balong Mountain for no particular reason? He would try to persuade him to become his own.

It wasn't because of Mo Fei's talent or past friendship. To block the Sashin Sect, he needed someone he knew well. In fact, he was the one who strategically used Mo Fei the best in the past.

But in this situation, it was hard to take him away by force.

Yan Hozheng walked out onto the street and headed to the back garden of Qinglou.

"Ah, you're here?"

"How is the child?"

The middle-aged doctor sighed.

"He's passed the critical stage. He was born with a weak body and was also poisoned."

"Is it possible to detoxify him?"

"It's difficult but not impossible. However, it will take a considerable amount of time to improve his physical condition. It will take at least a year, depending on his recovery."

Yan Hozheng nodded.

"At least it's a relief."

"It's a great relief. If we had been a day or two late, it would have been too late. The heavens and the spirits helped us."

"The child's father worked hard. His sincerity must have reached the heavens."

"Ah! That's right. Oh? But where is the father?"

Yan Hozheng smiled bitterly.

"I see."

With that, he headed to the opposite room.

"Huff! Huff!"

On the bed lay Bai Gongtian.

His body was drenched in cold sweat. His wounds had all been treated, but his life force was nearly gone.

Was it from shock? Or from a sense of failure? He was rapidly losing his strength.

Yan Hozheng, who had been quietly watching Bai Gongtian, turned away.

Drip.

Mo Fei, or rather, Bai Xiang, was crouched in the corner, her eyes full of tears.

"...It's because of me."

"What is?"

"If I, if I didn't have any talent...!"

Yan Hozheng shook his head.

"I don't care about your situation."

It was a harsh statement. Bai Xiang looked up at Yan Hozheng with wet eyes.

Seeing her eyes, Yan Hozheng was overwhelmed by indescribable emotions.

'He's dead.'

Her eyes were lifeless.

Amidst her struggle with sorrow and regret, her eyes were gradually losing their emotional light.

When that light was completely extinguished, it would be Mo Fei's eyes.

Mo Fei knew his responsibilities and duties, but it was more like a trained reflex.

Only when mingling with the Black Imperial City's warriors, including himself, did he show his emotions more often. But usually, he still didn't give affection to others.

Suddenly, he thought:

What did Mo Fei think when he heard the news of his death, who had fought alongside the Sashin Sect leader? How did he accept the death of his lord, and perhaps his only friend?

Yan Hozheng's mouth opened involuntarily.

"You're not that kind of person."

"......What?"

"You didn't easily show your emotions. But you weren't without them. You were a warrior with a heart hotter than anyone else's."

Bai Xiang felt puzzled amidst her deep sorrow.

What is this young man talking about?

"I liked you. At least, you knew how to choose your own path in life. Although it was painful, you never complained."

"What... what are you saying...?"

"I didn't know your past. I didn't expect this. But trying to find out more would just be prying, wouldn't it?"

"......?"

"The past is the past. But I wanted to change a past that would lead to a terrible future. For that, I needed to be a different person from my past self."

"......?!"

"I'll ask you. How do you want to live?"

Bai Xiang's eyes widened.

How do you want to live? She had never been asked such a question.

From a childhood she couldn't remember, she had held a bow and drawn the string as if it were natural. Her life was decided as a palace archer to become a Yeshin.

She had lived like that. It was natural. She had never thought of anything else.

"Let me ask you again."

"......"

"Do you believe in the existence of Yeshin?"

"......!"

"Indeed. Neither you nor the archer on that bed believes in the existence of Yeshin. Yet you try to become one. You don't know what it is, and you don't believe in it."

Bai Xiang's face showed shock.

Yan Hozheng sighed.

"If you ever want a new life, go to the branch of the Open Sect and mention my name. I can't take responsibility for your life, but I can help you to some extent. Of course, there will be a price."

Yan Hozheng turned around.

"My name is Yan Hozheng."

With that, he left the room.

Thud.

As the door closed, only Bai Gongtian's labored breathing could be heard.

Bai Xiang stared blankly at the door.

It felt like the storm that had been raging had suddenly disappeared. The words left by the storm were swirling in her mind.

At that moment,

"Cough! ...Laga."

Bai Xiang, startled, looked at Bai Gongtian.

"Go, go after him."

"Brother!"

She quickly stood in front of Bai Gongtian.

"Are you okay? Are you regaining consciousness?"

"Consciousness... I've been conscious for a while."

Bai Xiang placed her hand on Bai Gongtian's chest.

"If you're conscious, straighten up! I'll guide my inner energy to you...!"

"Don't."

"What?!"

"I know my body well. I'm going to die soon."

Bai Xiang burst into tears.

Bai Gongtian took her hand.

"Xiang."

"......Yes, Brother."

"Xiang, Xiang, Xiang."

He called her name several times.

The poignant voice and the warmth she hadn't felt in a long time made Bai Xiang bow her head.

Bai Gongtian smiled wistfully. The smile didn't suit his stern face.

"Do you remember? You were always the favorite of our brothers since you were young."

"......"

"But at some point, their eyes towards you turned cold. Mine too. We realized your talent far surpassed ours."

"......"

"The adults delayed the competition because of your talent. They didn't want to waste it. So the competition five years ago ended inconclusively."

"Brother."

"But... doesn't that mean we all have to die from your arrows? I didn't like that decision. So I hated you even more."

Tears fell from Bai Xiang's eyes onto Bai Gongtian's hand.

"But I shouldn't have hated you."

"No, no, Brother."

"I shouldn't have hated you but should have left the palace."

"......!"

"To become a Yeshin, you had to be prepared to die. That's the life of a palace archer. But I couldn't prepare for death."

Bai Gongtian's smile faded.

"I lived habitually. If I didn't like it, I should have left the palace. If I wanted to stay, I should have accepted death."

"......"

"The brightest moment of my life was when I met my wife. And... "

Bai Gongtian's eyes welled up.

"And when I learned I had a daughter."

She wasn't his daughter, but he treated her as one.

The shock was great, but Bai Gongtian didn't regret risking his life for the nameless girl.

"Whether she is my daughter or not doesn't matter. What matters is that I lived as I wanted, even for a short while. So I'm grateful to her."

"Brother... "

"Live the life you want. If you don't know what you want, go out into the world like me. I hope you can experience the same exhilaration I felt."

"Sniff."

Bai Xiang, holding Bai Gongtian's hand, sobbed silently.

He stroked her hair. It had been a long time since he stroked his sister's hair.

At the same time, he thought:

If I had more time, I would have stroked Ge Li's hair like this.

"Help me sit up."

Bai Xiang helped Bai Gongtian sit up, leaning against the wall beside the bed.

"Xiang."

"......Yes, Brother."

"I want to see your archery again."

"What?"

Bai Gongtian pointed to his heart with a trembling hand.

Bai Xiang's face turned pale.

"The others all died by my hand. Bai Xiaojing was the last."

"Brother!!"

"Many survivors of the Yeshin competition didn't return to the palace. They might try to track you down. But... "

Bai Gongtian's eyes gained strength.

"Yan Hozheng, that young man, can protect you for a while. I saw enough strength and potential in him."

"No! Absolutely not! How can I... with my own hands...!"

"Do you lack the resolve for that?"

"......!!"

"Did you lack the resolve to participate in the competition? Did you wish to win without killing or being killed? If so, you should be ashamed."

"O, Brother."

"I promised that young man, Yan Hozheng. I promised to apologize to the Open Sect. I said I would apologize on his behalf when I die, but that won't do."

Bai Gongtian closed his eyes.

"I owe him a great debt. I couldn't repay it at all. If so, I want to keep my promise."

"Sniff!"

Bai Gongtian smiled. His smile, with his eyes closed, looked very serene.

"I ask you."

After shedding tears for a long time, Bai Xiang suddenly stepped back.

Zzz.

It seemed as if an invisible arrow sprouted from the empty bowstring.

Bai Gongtian exclaimed in admiration.

"Invisible Arrow! As expected, you're amazing!"

Bai Xiang bit her lip.

"......I'm sorry, Brother."

"Shoot."

"......"

"Quickly!!"

Bai Xiang squeezed her eyes shut.

She released the bowstring.

Swoosh! Thud!

* * *

"Huff huff!"

A man was panting as he climbed a dark mountain path.

His hair was disheveled, and his clothes were torn in many places. He looked like a beggar.

But his movements were very agile. Despite his ragged breathing, he climbed the mountain like a tiger, without stopping.

'I'm almost there!'

Joy surged in the man's eyes.

'Safety! I'm finally safe!'

At that moment,

"Mingxulín."

The man felt a chill run down his spine.

He turned his head to the right, where the voice came from.

There stood a young man with his hands behind his back, holding a massive axe.

"I've been waiting for you."