Chapter Sixty-Two: Returning to the Sea

At Gan Family Fortress, the morning had been filled with joyful celebration, but now a somber solemnity had taken its place. Gan Yu had long since changed out of her bridal gown, donning instead a plain white dress as she slowly made her way to the ancestral graves of the Gan family, her elder brother Gan Ying following close behind.

With a thud, the siblings knelt before the graves, gazing at the resting place of their mother, uncertain where their father might be. Though they had not avenged themselves with their own hands, today their great enmity had at last been repaid. It was an answer for the Gan family, a comfort for their mother’s soul.

“My little sister, I was wrong before. But don’t worry. From now on, your brother will take good care of you. I won’t let anyone bully you again, nor will I let you be lonely,” Gan Ying said, his hands already bleeding as he clenched them tightly. He wanted to fulfill the duties of a true man; in that instant, he seemed to have matured considerably.

“Brother, from now on, Gan Family Fortress will rely on you. And as for me, I want to go out and temper myself, to learn new skills, so that one day I can return and help you restore our family’s glory,” Gan Yu said, wiping away her tears.

Gan Ying was briefly stunned.

Gan Yu rose slowly, turned to look at Mo Bai and the others standing behind them, and said, “Brother, if I travel with them, will you be at ease?”

Gan Ying glanced at Mo Bai and his companions. “Yes, I trust them. Go, my sister. When you return, the Gan Family Fortress will surely flourish once again.”

The carriage was the same as before, but Wu Luohua’s attention was no longer on the wooden comb in Mo Bai’s hand. Instead, all his focus was on Gan Yu. “Miss Gan, are you really going to travel with us from now on?”

Gan Yu smiled lightly. “Why, Brother Wu, do you not wish for that?”

Wu Luohua, never before so flustered in front of a girl, stammered, “No, no, I do—”

“Hmph, of course you do. But you don’t know if Sister Gan wants to be with you, do you?” Nalanda Xiner retorted with obvious displeasure, her small hand tightly wrapped around Gan Yu’s arm as if clinging to her favorite toy, refusing to let go, making Wu Luohua burn with jealousy.

“Hey, isn’t that Guihai City up ahead?” Mo Bai volunteered to drive the carriage, giving Wu Luohua the opportunity he sought.

The three poked their heads out and saw an imposing walled city, its gate crowned with three bold characters: Guihai City.

Wu Luohua smiled faintly. “Looks like something interesting awaits us.”

Mo Bai replied, “Don’t you want to reach Yihua Sect sooner? Or are you planning to linger here for some excitement?”

Wu Luohua answered serenely, feigning righteousness, “Brother Mo, I’m only thinking of you. You can’t break your promise, after all.”

Nalanda Xiner chimed in, “Exactly, exactly! Brother Mo, you promised Tian Huashan of the Haikun Gang to help him at the Lingjue Tournament!” This young lady clearly feared missing out on any excitement, eagerly backing Wu Luohua’s words.

Mo Bai shot them both a sharp glance, making them jump. “Don’t think I don’t know what you two are up to. Xiner, you just want to watch the commotion—you’re always stirring things up. And as for you—” Mo Bai snorted and said no more.

Gan Yu was surprised. “It’s believable that Xiner is lively and energetic at her age, but Brother Wu, you’re clearly past the age for such mischief. Brother Mo, perhaps you’ve misjudged him.”

Wu Luohua immediately agreed, “That’s right, I’m very mature. How could I like such childish fun? I’m only thinking of Brother Mo.”

Nalanda Xiner puffed out her cheeks in indignation. “Hmph! You’re all ganging up on me. If it’s Brother Mo and Sister Gan, I can accept it, but you—” She pointed accusingly at Wu Luohua. “What right have you got? You’re just in it for yourself!”

Unfazed, Wu Luohua declared, “What’s wrong with me? I’m not selfish.”

“Come off it, Flower Brother, I know you too well. You’re afraid of what might happen at Yihua Sect, so you want to delay here a while longer, using it as an excuse to spend more time with Sister Gan. Your little schemes are as clear as day!” Nalanda Xiner exposed Wu Luohua’s ‘sinister plot’ without hesitation.

“Xiner, what nonsense are you spouting?” Gan Yu protested shyly, her face flushed. She could tell Wu Luohua had feelings for her, but as a well-bred lady, how could she endure such forward words?

But Wu Luohua was different from others. He looked earnestly at Gan Yu, his voice full of emotion. “Sister Yu, I truly like you. I hope that in this lifetime, I can hold your hand and grow old with you.”

Such a bold confession! Gan Yu was mortified, but Nalanda Xiner’s silvery laughter rang out: “Haha, Flower Brother and Rain Sister—when rain falls, flowers bloom, and with rain, flowers grow even more splendid! Honestly, you two are a perfect match.”

“Lovebirds, you may flirt all you like, but my stomach is growling,” Mo Bai said honestly as they rode into the city.

Gan Yu’s cheeks flushed again, but Wu Luohua answered cheerfully, “Let’s do as Brother Mo says—find a nice place to eat, preferably with couples’ tables.”

“Hmph, even if there are couples’ tables, I won’t sit with you! I’ll sit with Sister Gan, that’s the right way.” Nalanda Xiner jumped from the carriage, only to realize that everyone was staring at her, not at the magnificent restaurant ahead, but at her in puzzlement.

She raised her chin proudly. “What, you have a problem? I have money—I can do as I please! Come, Sister Gan, let’s go inside.” She took Gan Yu’s hand, leaving Gan Yu a little embarrassed. Nalanda Xiner, after all, was a spiritual cultivator, and Gan Yu had no chance to resist. She glanced helplessly at Wu Luohua for help.

Wu Luohua, exasperated, grabbed Mo Bai’s hand. “Let’s go, Brother Mo, let’s head in as well.”

Nalanda Xiner’s violet eyes flashed. Suddenly she let go of Gan Yu’s hand, darted between the two men, slapped away Wu Luohua’s hand, and clung tightly to Mo Bai’s arm, snorting and refusing to look at Wu Luohua.

Behind her, Mo Bai gave Wu Luohua a secret thumbs-up. Wu Luohua strutted into the restaurant, full of pride.

“Tch, what a crowd these days! The Lingjue Tournament may be a grand event, but who parades around town with beauties on either arm? And not just one, but two!” Their entry into the Seabreeze Tavern drew scorn and envy from the many spiritual cultivators present.

Guihai City was bursting at the seams these days. The name Lingjue had drawn countless cultivators, for “Lingjue” meant “the rise of spiritual cultivators.” Yet, perhaps, these two simple characters held a deeper meaning. Guihai City’s old city lord, Guihai Xin, was himself a famed cultivator. The city, established after the great war sixty years before, had risen anew on the Linglong Continent, named for the Guihai family that had ruled here for generations—a testament to their formidable strength.

After generations in hiding, the city now greeted its moment of glory. The Lingjue Tournament had drawn countless cultivators, all vying for its coveted title. But perhaps there was a far more profound significance hidden within it.

PS: The climax is coming—please leave your comments!