Ch. 111 – Chance Encounter

“Shixiong!” Fang Yang’s call preceded them before they even drew near, interrupting Feng Ye’s words and rescuing Hao Chen, whose heart was in suspense.

He had confessed his feelings to Feng Ye with ease, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t afraid of rejection.

And he could tell that the dragon had been preparing to reject him.

Hao Chen had always known that Feng Ye rarely took him seriously, and at first, Hao Chen truly hadn’t been serious at all. Those misleading remarks were simply a product of habit. But eventually, without even realizing it himself, he had become entangled.

Yet he’d never made this change known to Feng Ye, and simply allowed him to operate under the same misconception. Because he knew that it wasn’t the right time, and that if he confessed to Feng Ye now, he would only face rejection.

It would be too embarrassing to speak of if he, the dignified Lord of the North Sea, was rejected after confessing to the one person he had genuinely fallen for after all these years.

While losing a bit of face wasn’t a big concern for someone as thick-skinned as him, Feng Ye was likely to deliberately put distance between them if his confession failed.

Before confessing, he could at least find some excuse to eat his tofu, or even climb onto the dragon’s back and sit between his horns. But once his confession failed, he might not even be able to touch a single dragon scale.

So rather than taking the initiative to confess, he had decided to wait until the time was right and sweep Feng Ye off his feet in one decisive move. But today, when Feng Ye tore through his paper-thin veil of pretense, he hadn’t denied it.

He just admitted it, openly and unreservedly.

His affection for Feng Ye wasn’t something shameful or unsightly. It was forthright and true, and nothing about this matter deserved concealment.

Although he’d never said it outright, he had also never hidden his feelings for the dragon. It was just that until today, Feng Ye had failed to notice.

And although he roughly knew what Feng Ye’s response would be to his confession, he still didn’t want to hear it with his own ears. Anyone would feel awful upon being rejected by the person they liked. Even Hao Chen’s thick skin was not enough to protect him from an attack that struck directly at his spirit, as well as his male pride.

But just as he was wracking his brains for something to steer the conversation in a different direction, Fang Yang arrived just in time.

Hao Chen gazed upon Fang Yang with sparkling eyes, as if beholding his savior.

Feng Ye tamped down his complicated feelings toward Hao Chen and turned toward Fang Yang. Only then did he realize that Fang Yang and Cao Zirui hadn’t returned alone. They had brought someone with them, and it was even someone he and Hao Chen knew.

It was the herb gatherer they had met in a nearby village before entering the mountains, who had drawn the map Feng Ye still had in his possession.

The old man had a slightly stooped back, but he was still sprightly, hale and hearty despite the years.

He carried a basket of herbs on his back and a sickle for clearing the path in his hand, having apparently been heading into the mountains to forage when Fang Yang and Cao Zirui crossed paths with him.

Fang Yang handed the re-filled water skin to Feng Ye and explained: “We ran into Old Uncle Sun here by the river. He’s going up the mountain to gather herbs, and didn’t expect to run into us.”

There didn’t seem to be anything overtly suspicious about his encounter, but Feng Ye raised an eyebrow and said pointedly: “What a coincidence, ah, running into Old Uncle Sun in a place as vast as Longqiu.”

Fang Yang had addressed him this way, so although Feng Ye and Hao Chen were innumerable years older than the man, they still shamelessly used the same address.

But the terminology was much less important than the fact that the boys had run into him out here. Such a coincidence was almost too much to believe.

“It’s not that much of a coincidence, ah. I actually came out here to find you all!” Old Uncle Sun said, failing to catch the skepticism in Feng Ye’s voice.

This came as a surprise to them all, and Fang Yang asked in confusion: “To find us?”

“That’s right.” Old Uncle Sun nodded and set down his herb basket. Although he was still in good shape despite his age, he didn’t have the stamina of youth, and needed to rest after hiking into the mountains for most of the morning.

He took a seat on the ground and explained unhurriedly to the others: “You asked me for directions yesterday morning and I drew you a map, but I got to thinking about it and felt like something wasn’t right. These mountains change all the time, and newcomers like you trying to find your way with a single map is just wishful thinking.”

“I kept thinking about it and couldn’t rest easy. I figured you all were bound to get lost, and since it was already so late yesterday, I got an early start this morning and figured I’d look for you while gathering herbs. And I actually found you!” There was a hint of joy in Old Uncle Sun’s voice. Although he had accepted payment for the map, he was truly concerned that these young people would run into trouble out in the mountains.

So that’s how it is. Fang Yang accepted this explanation.

“By the way, did you all see any wolves last night? Is that a wolf bite on your shoulder?” Having finished his story, Old Uncle Sun finally noticed the injured one among them.

Hao Chen had already tended to Feng Ye’s wound and tied the bandages off with a bow, so it was impossible to tell that the injury was from a sword. Drawing upon his own experiences, Old Uncle Sun simply assumed it was a wolf bite.

Feng Ye smiled and played along: “Right, we encountered wolves and barely managed to escape.”

The previous night’s experience was not something suitable for the ears of an ordinary person like Old Uncle Sun, so even the usually oblivious Fang Yang went along with Feng Ye’s words. 

Suspecting nothing, Old Uncle Sun slapped his thigh and said with remorse: “It’s my fault for forgetting to warn you yesterday. Don’t be fooled by the beauty of these mountains, they’re extremely dangerous. All kinds of creepy-crawlies and the most ferocious beasts, you’ll find them all here! Even worse, there seem to be bandits creeping around. Just before the New Year, government troops even came to suppress them!”

His words were grim, the content truly frightening, yet Feng Ye and his companions remained completely expressionless. They had already encountered those rumored bandits, and had even crossed swords with them after they had transformed into hungry ghosts.

So they weren’t surprised by this at all, let alone frightened.

Their reaction was a bit strange, but Old Uncle Sun didn’t think on it too deeply. After all, the important thing was that they were all safe and sound.

He glanced toward the stone door hidden amidst the vegetation a short distance away, then changed the subject: “Right, did you find the place I marked for you yesterday?”

Feng Ye shook his head, tending to the wound on his left palm as he replied: “We didn’t.”

There were many exposed ruins belonging to the Royal City of Western Qiang, and the place Old Uncle Sun had drawn for them, the location of the Living Soil, was only one of them. The location the two bandits had taken them to yesterday was another, and the stone door they had just escaped through made a third.

Sure enough, thought Old Uncle Sun. These youngsters found the wrong place.

Since he’d already come this far, he might as well see this through. After all, he had already accepted the money. “I don’t have anything to do anyway, so there’s no harm in taking you there myself.”

“Really? Thank you, Old Uncle Sun!” Fang Yang exclaimed in delight.

Old Uncle Sun waved his hand, then turned to Feng Ye and asked: “How’s your injury, little brother? How about you head back to the village and rest first? Heal up a little before you go. There’s no need to rush.”

Feng Ye smiled: “It’s not a problem. Let’s head out now.”

The matter of the Living Soil wasn’t an emergency, but it was also not something to put off.

He had encountered the Royal City of Western Qiang in the Emberless Horizon, and had encountered it again now at the location of the Living Soil. It was obviously a trap, but it also suggested that Jianmu’s connection with the Emberless Horizon one hundred years ago was likely caused by a complication with the Living Soil.

Although Feng Ye said nothing about the encounter with Ling Yun the night before, it was heavy on his mind. He very much wanted to know the truth of what had happened all those years ago.

If the problem really lay with the Living Soil, had Ling Yun been aware of it? Did he know that Jianmu had already been hollowed out by the resentful energy of the Emberless Horizon, and that dark creatures were using humanity to ascend to the heavens?

Feng Ye had actually changed his attitude toward Ling Yun several times. When he first began his investigation, he felt that the human who had cut out his heart for Jianmu was the prime suspect. For all he knew, this human might have fallen to the influence of demons and become their accomplice in their ascent to the heavens.

But as he gradually came to understand Ling Yun’s character, Feng Ye’s opinion began to shift. Ling Yun certainly possessed natural talent, but even the finest natural talent was useless without hard work.

He was able to master the art of swordsmanship to the highest level, and that in itself demonstrated the strength of his resolve.

Such people were not easily bewitched by demons. And Feng Ye had also confirmed his suspicions upon personally obtaining the Jianmu sprout not long ago: there was nothing wrong with the tree itself, and its fusion with Ling Yun’s heart was entirely sound.

Thus, Feng Ye turned his suspicions to the Living Soil and Xuanming Water. And when he chose to investigate the Living Soil first, he unexpectedly encountered the supposedly dead Ling Yun.

In addition, Ling Yun and that demon were on the same side.

Feng Ye found his attitude shifting once again. When had Ling Yun and the demon joined forces? Had it happened before or after Jianmu was severed…..?

This order of events was of paramount importance to Feng Ye. If Ling Yun had not actually fallen in with demons a century ago, and planted Jianmu free of their influence, then the reason he allied himself with one now would have to be…..

To seek revenge against Yinglong. Against Feng Ye.

Human strength was laughable in the face of a god, so he could only turn to the power of demons.

If this was really the case, then Feng Ye…..

He reflexively clenched his fist, and the newly bandaged wound on his palm split open again.

Feng Ye didn’t notice. He knew that his vengeance-fueled man who had allied himself with demons was dangerous, but he couldn’t just kill him with such callous inconsideration. Not again.

For this reason, he had kept Fang Yang and Cao Zirui from following Ling Yun, allowing both the man and the demonic creature to depart.

No one seemed to notice Feng Ye’s subtle movement, and once he indicated that he was fine, they all began packing up to leave.

Hao Chen had been keeping a close eye on him and picked up on a few clues. After a moment’s thought, he could roughly guess what was on Feng Ye’s mind.

This dragon, with his hard shell and ferocious reputation, actually had a heart softer than anyone else’s. He had killed so many people out of sheer necessity, and the anguish he felt over it was likely difficult to bear.

No one could possibly begrudge Ling Yun his quest for vengeance against Feng Ye, but…..surely this silly dragon wasn’t just going to hold still and let himself be beaten, right?

Ling Yun had slashed Feng Ye across the shoulder, a blow that had only landed because Hao Chen hadn’t reacted in time. Otherwise, he never would have allowed it to happen.

No matter who was right or wrong, he would stand on Feng Ye’s side, and he certainly wouldn’t just stand by while others bullied him.

If Ling Yun were to appear again and attack them, and if Feng Ye didn’t make a move, Hao Chen would be the one to act.

Nothing showed on his face as he made this decision. With a perfectly normal expression, he followed behind Feng Ye as Old Uncle Sun led them toward the true location of the Living Soil.

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