Chapter 15: A Pinky Promise
Huang Junru’s face was obscured by mist. Mingyan didn’t dare stare at her. Celestial Sister was gentle, but her mother was ruthless. He glanced sideways at the lifeless body of Yun Ling…
Perhaps it would be best to leave. If Celestial Sister’s mother was going to reprimand her, it would be awkward for Huang Feiyan if he witnessed it.
Just then, Holy Master Yue Ying’s figure flickered. “Since Fellow Daoist has arrived, my disciple and I will return to the Sacred Land.”
“Thank you for coming.” Huang Junru nodded, and the figures of Holy Master Yue Ying and Yue Qingying blurred and vanished.
Mingyan hurriedly bowed. “Celestial Sister, and… Family Head Huang? I’ll take my leave now…”
“Wait!” Huang Feiyan stopped him. “Mother! You can address my mistakes later… Mingyan is my savior, and his blood might be able to awaken my aunt. Please examine him first…”
Huang Junru didn’t speak, but she seemed to glance at Mingyan. He abandoned his intention to leave and scratched his head. “I’m not sure if my blood can be of any help…”
“Mother, Mingyan’s blood has strong Yang energy. I think it might be able to replace dragon blood as the medicinal ingredient… Perhaps you can confirm…” Huang Feiyan remained kneeling, her posture humble, showing both respect and a hint of fear towards her mother.
Their relationship didn’t seem particularly close… Mingyan thought, then realized, as an orphan, he wasn’t in a position to judge.
Huang Junru remained silent for a long moment, then walked towards Mingyan.
As she approached, a faint but captivating fragrance enveloped him. Mingyan lowered his head, not daring to look directly at her.
“Young friend, may I have a look?” Her voice was cold and indifferent, making it difficult to imagine her speaking gently. Mingyan quickly took out his dagger, pricked his finger, and offered it to her.
Huang Junru extended a slender, jade-like finger and touched the blood.
After a while, she withdrew her hand. “May I examine your constitution?”
Mingyan nodded.
Huang Junru stretched out her hand, fingers spread, towards his forehead. Mingyan felt a slightly warm spiritual energy enter his body through his forehead and circulate throughout his meridians. He noted the areas where her energy couldn’t reach, blocked by unopened acupoints… This information might be helpful for his future cultivation.
Huang Junru’s spiritual energy was slightly uncomfortable, but she quickly withdrew her hand. She remained silent for a moment. Her face was still obscured, so Mingyan couldn’t discern her expression. He felt anxious, unsure of the results of her examination.
“Mother, do you think Mingyan’s blood… can help my aunt?” Huang Feiyan, still kneeling, asked cautiously.
“…You’ve finally done something right after all these years.” Huang Junru looked at her, her voice softening slightly. “Mingyan’s blood… can indeed help, and perhaps… it might be even more effective than dragon blood.”
Huang Feiyan’s eyes widened in surprise, then lit up with joy. “Does that mean… my aunt… can be saved?”
Huang Junru nodded. “But we won’t know for sure until we return to the Huang family… Alchemy takes time… Did you ask the young friend’s opinion beforehand?”
Huang Feiyan nodded. “Mingyan is willing to help!”
Huang Junru turned to Mingyan and nodded. “Thank you, young friend. I have some things to discuss with my daughter…”
“You two talk. I’ll take my leave.” Mingyan understood and left the summit.
After he left, Huang Junru looked at Huang Feiyan, who lowered her head. “Please punish me, Mother…”
Huang Junru snorted. “Get up. Is the ground comfortable?”
Huang Feiyan blinked, then stood up. “Mother… I’m sorry. I caused you worry…”
“You know you caused me worry? I thought you didn’t. Running away from home alone, nearly getting killed. If Yue Wu Xia hadn’t arrived in time, I would have come here to collect your corpse, not even knowing who killed you.” Huang Junru’s voice was cold, but her words betrayed a hint of concern. This was her daughter, after all.
Huang Feiyan remained silent, then asked, “Mother, is Mingyan’s constitution special?”
“Special is an understatement… How can the Yang energy in ordinary human blood surpass that of the ancient Dragon God Clan? There’s only one possibility…” Huang Junru paused. “His cultivation talent is no less than yours, perhaps even greater… But why is he only at the Gathering Stream Realm?”
Huang Feiyan, who had already suspected Mingyan wasn’t ordinary, smiled faintly. “I heard he only started cultivating a year ago, after being saved by someone. He has great potential.”
“He could also become your rival.” Huang Junru’s voice turned cold. “Perhaps, someday, you two will become enemies.”
“Why would you say that, Mother? Although I haven’t known Mingyan for long, he’s kind and righteous, not a despicable person. We won’t become enemies.” Huang Feiyan shook her head. “Besides, he saved me… more than once… I don’t believe we’ll ever be on opposing sides.”
Huang Junru didn’t say anything more. “He possesses the Human King Physique. Do you know what that is?”
“Human King Physique?” Huang Feiyan looked puzzled and shook her head. “I’ve never heard of it. Is it related to the Human King Realm?”
“Your knowledge is lacking. Look it up yourself.” Huang Junru snorted, then said, “Tell me everything that happened. We need to deal with the aftermath.”
Mingyan returned to his room and found Liu Mengli there.
“Brother! Brother!” She jumped up and down excitedly. “You’re alright too! That’s great!”
“What could happen to Brother?” Mingyan smiled, stroking her head. “Mengli, Brother might be going on a long journey in a few days.”
Liu Mengli’s excitement vanished, and her face fell. “Huh… Where are you going, Brother?”
“To a… very, very faraway place.” Mingyan didn’t know the exact distance between Rain Terrace Blessed Land and the Huang family. Although Huang Junru had traveled quickly, cultivators of her level were on a completely different plane of existence… The Rotating Core Realm cultivator whom Sect Leader Xia had sacrificed himself to stall was like an ant before Huang Junru, easily eliminated with a flick of her wrist. And he himself was like an ant before Xia Yanming… The gap between them was vast.
“Huh… When will you come back, Brother?” Liu Mengli pouted, clutching his robe. “How long will you be gone?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to save someone. I should be back when everything is resolved.” He wasn’t sure how long it would take. It could be quick, or it could take a long time…
“I want to go with you, Brother!” Liu Mengli declared.
“Don’t be silly.” Mingyan chuckled. “This isn’t a pleasure trip.”
Inwardly, Mingyan had prepared for the worst. Huang Feiyan’s intentions were clear, but others… if they knew about the potent Yang energy in his blood… As Huang Feiyan said, he could be captured and used for alchemy. Currently, he was useful to Huang Feiyan and Huang Junru because he could potentially save her aunt. But after that, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t turn on him…
He believed Huang Feiyan wouldn’t do that, but the ruthless Huang Junru… was another matter.
This trip to the Huang family could be either a great opportunity or a disaster…
However, he had promised to help Huang Feiyan and wouldn’t go back on his word.
But he needed to be cautious.
Liu Mengli pouted, her face filled with disappointment. “Brother is leaving, and I’ll be all alone… so lonely…”
Even if he didn’t leave now, he would eventually leave Rain Terrace Blessed Land. As his master and the Sect Leader had said, this wasn’t his place. Mingyan stroked Liu Mengli’s head, smiling gently.
“Will Brother come back?”
“Yes, no matter where Brother goes… I’ll come back.” Mingyan nodded.
“Then let’s make a pinky promise!” Liu Mengli held out her little finger.
Mingyan looked at her tiny finger, hesitated, then linked his pinky with hers.
“Pinky swear, one hundred years, no changes! …No, one thousand years, ten thousand years, no changes!” Liu Mengli thought one hundred years was too short. They might both live longer than that. One thousand, ten thousand years was better.
Mingyan released her finger and pinched her cheek. “Are you happy now?”
Liu Mengli pouted and snorted. “I’m not talking to you anymore, Brother.”
She then turned and ran out of the room…
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