Only to see a figure rapidly soaring towards them, dressed in tattered gray robes like a beggar, hair unkempt and without regard for appearance, but that face, and the knife hanging at his waist, was unmistakably Li Xiaoran!
“Fourth brother?!”
Li Muxiu was stunned.
Li Tiangang was also taken aback, doubting his own eyes for a moment before concentrating his gaze and really seeing that it was indeed their fourth uncle!
He’s back? How come he’s here?!
“Hao Er?”
While Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu were shocked and astonished, Li Xiaoran noticed the obscured figure of Li Hao beside them and couldn’t help but be taken aback, almost letting out a cry of surprise, but quickly, he realized something was not quite right with the Li Hao before him, his aura wasn’t as strong.
And his clothes were clean and tidy, where were the signs of the dilapidation from when they had last parted?
Previously, when Li Hao was pursued to the Mo River, he experienced the great battle of Liangzhou, his hair tinged with the blood of demons, his clothes torn and tattered from the conflict.
“Why have you returned alone, where’s Hao Er?!”
Once Li Muxiu confirmed that it was indeed Li Xiaoran before him, he asked in an urgent tone, eyes widening as if all the blood in his body was tensing up.
Coming back to his senses, Li Xiaoran hastily replied, “Second brother, don’t get excited, Hao Er is fine, he has just one last step before he clears the Mo River, he’s currently on his way to the Great Wilderness Heaven.”
Upon saying this, he glanced at Li Tiangang, hesitating, unsure if he should continue.
After all, the Ji Family of the Ancient Holy Clan was a sensitive topic.
Li Tiangang, who had been campaigning in Northern Yan for over a decade and had heard of the events that transpired after the war ended, knew it involved that woman from the Ji Family.
“He went to the Great Wilderness Heaven?”
Li Muxiu was taken aback, but upon hearing that Li Hao was alright, his body, which had been rigid with tension, slowly relaxed, and he immediately inquired, “The Great Wilderness Heaven is so dangerous, what’s he going there for, how long will he be gone?”
“He should be back soon,” said Li Xiaoran.
He just needs to escort that elder of the Ji Family back to their homeland of the Ancient Holy Clan, it shouldn’t take much time.
Upon saying this and seeing the two still eager to ask about Li Hao, he smiled and said, “This one beside us, this is Hao Er’s incarnation, right?”
“Yes.”
Li Tiangang nodded, his expression easing upon hearing that Li Hao was safe, but he couldn’t hide the concern that flashed across his face as he thought of that woman, his wife.
His heart skipped a beat, could it be that child had gone to find his mother?
Previously, during the father-son confrontation in Qingzhou, Li Tiangang later heard that Li Hao had slapped Li Rumeng because the latter had insulted his wife, and also spilled the beans regarding the whereabouts of Li Hao’s mother.
“This child…”
He clenched his teeth, his expression growing tense again, filled with worry.
Even he dared not approach the Ancient Holy Clan of the Ji Family, not to mention Li Hao.
“Setting aside Hao Er’s matter, look who I’ve brought back for you,” Li Xiaoran said to them.
As his words fell, a voice reached the ears of Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu:
“Tiangang, the second brother…”
Hearing this familiar aged voice, Li Tiangang and Li Muxiu were simultaneously startled, their hearts pounding as they raised their heads in astonishment, only to see a specter-like ethereal spirit drifting from behind Li Xiaoran.
Seeing that mighty figure, with its benevolent face, left them staring in disbelief, as if returning from a different era.
“Dad?”
Li Tiangang’s pupils constricted tightly, he rubbed his eyes vigorously for an instant.
Upon seeing clearly once more, all the thoughts that had been in his mind vanished in an instant, as tears suddenly filled his eyes:
“Dad!!”
His knees gave way, and he knelt in front of Li Tianzong, tears staining his face:
“It is your unfilial son’s fault, my incompetence; I failed to bring you back sooner!”
Li Muxiu stared blankly, his eyes reddening slightly, and managed to say, “Big brother, have you been freed from Mo River?”
Li Tianzong quickly lifted Li Tiangang to his feet and with a smile he nodded in response to Li Muxiu’s question, “Yes, I’m freed now. I can finally go home!”
Li Muxiu’s aged body trembled slightly, he clenched his fists tightly, biting his teeth and lowering his head.
Time seemed to strip away its outer garments, revealing the weathered old man now resembling the spirited young man in brocade from yesteryear, shoulders quivering, head bowed as if to suppress the emotion climbing up his throat, though his voice was choked with sobs:
“Big brother, it’s all my fault back then. I was the one too fond of play, leaving you alone to guard Dragon City. I’m the one who caused your death!”
“All these years, it should have been me suffering in Mo River, it was me…”
Li Tianzong was momentarily taken aback, then gently raised his palm and patted Li Muxiu’s shoulder.
When he saw the tears streaking down the face of the brother he had grown up with, his own eyes grew moist as he softly said:
“As a True Dragon, it was my duty to lead the battle for Dragon City. It has nothing to do with you; had you been there, it would’ve only meant we both perished together.”
“Fortunately, you weren’t there. I heard from the fourth that the Li Family is now relying on you; you are the Sea-Calming Divine Needle of the Li Family…”
He said this and chuckled, “Remember when father punished you, making you kneel in the yard for three days and three nights? When I secretly brought you food, I told you that aside from me, you would possibly be the most capable one in the Li Family. You didn’t disappoint me.”
Li Muxiu was stunned, looking into his eyes, the brothers locked gazes for a moment.
They both wore the guise of old men.
Yet time seemed to summon a breeze, whisking them back to their youthful days…
Just like in that courtyard, under the blazing summer sun, the elder brother practicing before a wooden stake, and the mischievous younger brother sitting by the pond’s edge.