Li Tianming helped his mother settle down after Mu Yang left. Since they were already here, they might as well make themselves comfortable.
Wei Jing remained restless. This was the place that she had grown up in, and contained two decades of memories. Although movement was inconvenient for her, she still couldnât resist touring around.
Ying Huo had also been feeling depressed, cooped up inside the lifebound beast space. As soon as he got out, he began bouncing around the pavilion.
It started drizzling outside.
âMother, do you think heâll save you?â Li Tianming asked.
âI donât want to think about it. However, I do have to thank him for letting me back, as this has indeed been a dream of mine.â Wei Jing wasnât broken-hearted at all.
âI was a little impulsive today. If I get the chance, Iâll ask him again.â Li Tianming did think he had gone a bit too far today. Still, he couldnât understand why Wei Tiancang had been so heartless.
âBrother Yang has already gone over. So just wait,â Wei Jing comforted.
âHmph, that old codger is pretty stubborn. Just wait, Iâll pluck that beard of his. Hair. By. Hair! Oh and then Iâll strip off his underpants and set âem on fire!â the little chick said, filled with righteous indignation.
Li Tianming rolled his eyes.âYeah yeah, keep bragging.â
Mu Yang returned after a while. Although Wei Tiancang had forbidden anyone from entering, Mu Yang flouted those rules. Crossing the curtain for blocking rain, he approached Wei Jing. His eyes trembled somewhat upon seeing Wei Jingâs aged face.
âAny good news?â Wei Jing placed her hands on her knees, lifting her head to look at him. Even with her unnatural aging, she didnât act any inferior when facing old acquaintances.
âKind of,â Mu Yang said.
âWhat is it?â
âHe promised not to imprison Tianming anymore. He can return to Heavenâs Sanctum and also come here to visit you. However, the condition is that he canât reveal his identity outside. Otherwise, he wonât be allowed out of Rainforest Pavilion again. So, in essence, heâs free,â Mu Yang said.
If so, it meant the aftermath of today wasnât that bad.
âHeâs overthinking things. My son doesnât care for the identity of Wei Manor.â
âDid he agree to save my mother?â Li Tianming asked anxiously.
âHe said it was impossible. He wonât see you again. He also said...â Mu Yang hesitated.
âItâs alright, just convey to me what he said.â Wei Jing said.
âHe said let him know when you die. Heâll inter you in the Wei clanâs family tombs.â Mu Yang lowered his head.
Frankly, Li Tianming gnashed his teeth after hearing that. He had assumed Wei Tiancang might have a hard exterior but soft on the inside, but it turned out not to be.
âThen, help me thank him,â Wei Jing said.
âDonât give up yet, Jingâer. Iâll try my best to convince him. When itâs necessary, Iâll arrange for you to meet him so you can apologise,â Mu Yang said earnestly.
âWeâll see.â Wei Jing bit her lips. Would she have stayed away for twenty years if apologising was so easy?
âWhat can I do, Vice-Potentate?â Li Tianming asked. He knew Mu Yang was helping, but it wasnât in his nature to sit by the side and twiddle his thumbs.
âYou? Weâll see. For the time being, donât worry. I can stop the eruption of her Lifesbane for now. It would help her hold on for a little longer and reduce her suffering. But thatâs a short term solution. In the long term, an expert with a blood relation is needed to remove it,â Mu Yang said seriously.
âThank you!â Li Tianming felt himself relax.
âNo need to be so polite with me. Your mother and I used to be... the best of friends.â Mu Yang stumbled on his words half way through.
âWere you two exes?â The little chick had been watching by the side, and finally found an opportunity to cut in.
Mu Yang and Wei Jing werenât young, and easily dismissed the little chickâs words with a laugh.
âTianming, help your mother to her room. Iâll help examine her Lifesbane.â Mu Yang directed.
Li Tianming nodded.
âYou donât need to do so much. Iâm good just staying here. Itâs not very appropriate when you have your own family...â Wei Jing was troubled.
âJingâer, how is that so?â Mu Yang shook his head, âI donât have my own family yet. I only have a little sister, Wanâer.â
Wei Jing trembled slightly.âYouâre not married yet?â
âNope.â
â...â
Having hit forty without getting married was abnormal, especially given Mu Yangâs handsome looks, high talent and future status as Sanctum Potentate.
âWhy?â
âThereâs no specific reason. I just havenât had a fated encounter yet.â
âOh.â
âTianming,â Mu Yang turned and called out to Li Tianming.
Li Tianming helped his mother up and to the master bedroom. Mu Yang was powerful and also seemed to have an understanding towards Lifesbane. Letting him look was definitely beneficial.
After they went in, Li Tianming waited outside.
As for the little chick, it was now in a new environment, so it had gone to the pond to catch fish with great gusto...
Half an hour passed before Mu Yang came out, closing the door. âSheâs asleep.â
He let out a deep breath, leaning on the pillar with arms crossed, his gaze on Li Tianming.
âHow is it?â Li Tianming asked.
âItâs been twenty years. The Lifebane has taken root in her bones. I canât fix it, only master can. And even he will struggle to do so. Itâll take great effort and time from him.â
âAre there ways to temporarily extend her life and make her more comfortable?â Li Tianming asked.
âThat you donât need to worry about. I can suppress its spread. Iâll find some spirit herbs tomorrow to do so. It wonât be a problem for at least a year.â
Before, lasting even a month was difficult with only Li Tianming and his clear spirit grass. However, now, a year was easy with Mu Yangâs help. This all pointed to Li Tianming seeking Mu Yangâs help to be the correct decision. His help was most likely needed too, if they were to reverse Wei Tiancangâs decision.
Li Tianming had already thanked him multiple times, so he didnât say anymore. However, he had already marked him as a benefactor.
âLeave your motherâs matter to me. Tianming, I have some things I want to ask about you.â Mu Yangâs eyes shone.
âSure.â
âYou should be aware that my third disciple is Lin Xiaoting of Lightning Manor. I heard you have a grudge with him three years ago. Tell me more,â Mu Yang asked.
âWill you believe me and not your disciple?â Li Tianming asked.
âI believe only the truth, the facts,â Mu Yang said bluntly.
âYour sister Mu Wan was my chief mentor three years ago as well. She knows the truth. Did she tell you the origin of Lin Xiaotingâs Saintbeast War-Soul?â Li Tianming asked.
âShe did, but I didnât believe her before. Until I met you.â
âAnd now?â
âTell me the details,â Mu Yang pressed.
Mu Yang was Lin Xiaotingâs supernal mentor. If he knew the truth, it would be easier for Li Tianming in the future. Li Tianming pondered for a moment and then spilled the beans.
Afterwards, Mu Yang wordlessly looked at Li Tianming for a long while, eyes narrowed.
âWhat is it?â Li Tianming asked.
âYou could still soldier on even after such a blow?â Mu Yang spoke, praise within his words.
âWell, I have her.â Li Tianming looked at Wei Jingâs room, before turning back to Mu Yang. âSo, do you choose to believe your disciple or me?â
âWhere did you find the Saintbeast War-Soul in the Abyssal Battlefield?â
âWhy?â
âJust say it.â
âAzure Domain,â Li Tianming replied.
âThen I have my answer.â
âHow so?â
âLin Xiaoting said he had found it in Ginblue Domain. But Iâve stayed there for three years before, and I donât believe there can be a War-Soul there. However, dangers abound in Azure Domain, so the chances are higher there.â With these words, it was evident that his final choice was to trust Li Tianming.