Death… and me

"Why doesn't the Upper Three Heavens send people down to train?" The old man with short eyebrows asked in a hurried voice.

"The Nine Tribulations Sword master will begin his journey of moving all over the world from the Upper Three Heavens!" The old man in black said before he proceeded to clasp his hands behind his back and continued, "There would be a disruption in the flow of fate if the Upper Three Heavens go down to the Lower and Middle Three Heavens to train. This, in turn, would cascade a chain of events and instigate a state of permanent chaos within the Nine Heavens!"

"Therefore, the Upper Three Heavens cannot join in such things. Even if we were to train, we would only be training in the Middle Three Heavens. In no scenario can we go down to the Lower Three Heavens to train! If there is any clan who is found in violation of this ironclad law, the punishment would be extremely grave. The clan would be attacked by all of the other forces until it is completely annihilated! This is the unspoken law of the Nine Heavens!"

"However, there is only one clan in the Upper Three Heavens that is able to go down to the Lower Three Heavens without being restricted by this law. Only once and only a single individual is permitted to go…" A strange look flashed in the eyes of the old man as he said in a mellow tone.

"What then are the requirements for those nine individuals?" The old man with the short eyebrows was curious and continued to ask.

"It's all luck!" The old man in black sighed, "No one really has any idea!"

After a long period of time, the sky finally returned back to its original state. "Has Fei Ling's son been found yet?" The old man in black said in a slowly.

"There doesn't seem to be any news of it…" The old man with shortened eyebrows sighed, "It has been seventeen years already. I am afraid that it might be hopeless."

"Bastard!" The old man in black yelled out furiously, "Just because of this single grandson being somewhere out there, the relationship between the Yang and Chu clans is becoming more and more strained. It has been more than a decade of friction and as a result of this, our allies have turned into our enemy! We can't just let this go! Moreover, this is a crucial period in history – the appearance of the Nine Tribulations Sword master! If we are unable to make the Yang clan our allies, there is little doubt in my mind that the Chu clan would be rendered obsolete! Such consequences are unimaginable! Continue to search for him!"

"Yes."

"Unfortunately, the Nine Tribulations Sword master has already found the second Nine Tribulations Sword fragment and is starting to mature. If we are even able to find the child, it is likely already too…" Rage began to fill him as he became more furious as he thought about it. "Chu Xiong Cheng! You somehow managed to even lose your own grandson. Why don't you get lost as well?"

The old man with broken eyebrows looked sad as he muttered, "I…"

"I what? Get lost!" The old man in black growled and vanished in a clump of dark smoke. Although he told the other person to get lost, he disappeared before the other person was able to do anything.

"It's the same thing every time we talk about this matter…" The old man rubbed his eyebrows and muttered to himself, "Making it as if I wanted to toss my grandson away? This is too unreasonable."

Sighing, his body flashed, and he disappeared…

…

The north-most region of Upper Three Heavens was a vast wasteland of snow and ice. Apart from the snow and ice, it was just darkness.

In that particular moment, the Nine Tribulations Sword aura arose. The rising of its aura seemed like it added a bright white light to the world as if a whole new dimension was opening…

In the midst of the howling blizzard, an excited voice screamed, "Come! Fulfill the conditions; go out!"

…

Chu Yang was with Gu Du Xing and company as he discreetly called them into his room.

"Come in; I have something good."

"What's so good?"

Chu Yang smiled with glee as he pulled out a jade bottle. He held four cups in his hands and said in a slow deep voice, "I am inviting you guys to a drink of water."

"Drink water…" The four were speechless; what are we drinking water for?

Chu Yang took off the cap of the jade bottle and filled the four cups with a pristine transparent liquid, "Please."

All of a sudden, the room was filled with an exotic aroma. The moment the four of them smelt it, their minds were filled with intense excitement. The four cups were placed on the table inside with liquid as clear as jade. Within the water, there was a glistening faint trace of green.

Gu Du Xing was puzzled. After looking intensely at the four strange cups of water, he had an epiphany and exclaimed in disbelief. "Vitality Spring Water?!"

"What?" Luo Ke Di and Ji Mo simultaneously said in alarm. No one had expected to see such a priceless treasure here!

Vitality Spring Water was capable of strengthening each individual's foundation. It could even increase the lifetime of plants and animals. Moreover, when it came to injuries, its healing effect was even more mystical. As long as it was an external injury, the results would be resounding! It was also beneficial in treating internal injuries.

Moreover, it was a real treasure when it came to nurturing medicinal herbs! A single drop of Vitality Spring Water was capable of restoring the vitality of a dying medicinal herb. At the same time, also increasing its potency of the medicinal herb by a year.

According to legends, this type of spring water was only accessible to the medicinal clans of Upper Three Heavens. Moreover, its annual production is only a few drops. Therefore, it could be considered a family heirloom is heavily guarded.

However, they now had four cups which had been filled to the brim in front of them.

"Yes, this is Vitality Spring Water." Chu Yang smiled and said, "I have already drunk my portion. Hmm, this spring water is really good. Once you drink it, any injuries you sustain later will not leave any scars…"

"Scars…" The four looked at their Big Brother as if he was a monster.

The Vitality Spring Water is such a precious treasure and yet you want us to drink it so we won't have any scars?

"If you keep delaying drinking it, its medicinal potency will eventually dissipate…" Chu Yang smiled as he reminded them.

"Ah…" The actions of the four were as quick as a flash. They all chugged it immediately without any hesitation. Only Gu Du Xing suddenly stopped just as he was about to drink it. Taking out a small jade bottle, he carefully poured the spring water into it.

"What are you doing?" Chu Yang asked with a strange expression.

"Drinking it like this is such a waste." Gu Du Xing smiled and said thoughtfully, "I am saving it for Sister Xiao Miao… Sister Xiao Miao is a girl, she usually cares about her appearance. The part about not leaving any scars would be enough to make her happy already…"

"Fool… I still have more! If I am giving it to you, you can go ahead and drink it!" Chu Yang was annoyed, amused and touched at the same time.

"Do you really still have more?" Gu Du Xing looked at Chu Yang suspiciously. Seeing him nod assured Gu Du Xing as he drank all of the spring water in one gulp.

Ji Mo and Luo Ke Di had a rare moment of silence. They didn't laugh or make jokes as they usually would. This time, their gazes were fixated on Gu Du Xing and were filled with respect.

Men who always thought about their lovers was rare in a world where mistresses were in abundance! Who would dare make fun of such loyalty and sincerity!

"I don't have much of this spring water. I was lucky enough to have it. Other than what I have saved for Xiao Wu and Dong Wu Shang, I only have a few cups left. Remember not to tell anyone else about this." Chu Yang carefully reminded them.

While he still had a whole spring, these things were more valuable if they were rare.

One would be able to see the sincerity of an individual if he shared even though he had a small amount. If he shared out of his abundance, wouldn't his act be cheapened? However, even though Chu Yang didn't mind letting his brothers use it, he believed that it would be better to do this to keep away outsiders…

Even though Chu Yang was being crafty he had the interest of their group at heart.

"Hmm." The four replied in a serious tone. If it was revealed that they had this kind of spring water, there would be great turmoil. Moreover, with their current strength, they wouldn't be able to protect it…

After they had finished it, all four brothers were excited. Ji Mo had suggested that they go out and experience some intimate romantic encounters. The other three replied in contempt. Meanwhile, Chu Yang headed to Bu Tian Pavilion alone. Shoulder to shoulder, the four of them headed out as well…

Right after he gave Wu Qian Qian a cup of Vitality Spring Water, a person from the palace came with His Highness's summon.

Chu Yang sighed, "Each time I have something good, I get an invitation from His Majesty. How is his nose so good?" Wu Qian Qian laughed. She took out a new black robe and said, "Chu Yang, why don't you try this on and see if it fits you?"

"You made this?" Chu Yang's eyes narrowed.

"Mm." Wu Qian Qian's face reddened, "I gauged the measurements as best as I could."

Chu Yang nodded as he sighed internally. Unable to turn down a person's goodwill, he said, "Let me try it on." He then immediately tried on the robe. It was a perfect fit, not too big and not too small.

Wu Qian Qian chucked as she looked at him, "It is acceptable. Go ahead and wear it."

"Why do I feel like something is off?" Chu Yang looked suspiciously at the black robe he was wearing.

"It's always like that with new clothes." Wu Qian Qian's face became flushed as she hurried him along, "His Majesty is looking for you. Go."

As Wu Qian Qian saw Chu Yang leave, she lifted his old robe and sniffed gently. Her gaze seemed lost in her thoughts as she sighed softly.

…

"Diwu Qing Rou sent a letter? He requested for Tang Xin Sheng's family back?" Chu Yang looked at Tie Bu Tian in surprise.

"Yes." Tie Bu Tian was wearing the imperial robe and has a slight look of fatigue on his face.

"What does Your Majesty intend on doing?" Chu Yang placed Diwu Qing Rou's letter back down.

"Returning them is fine; not returning them is also fine." Tie Bu Tian said, "I would like to hear your what you think!"

"I think that we should… return them!" Chu Yang said slowly, "I would like to make a trip to Great Zhao. If Diwu Qing Rou wants to invite me and sends such a great opportunity my way, how can I just let it pass? Moreover, keeping Tang Xin Sheng's widow and orphan here is useless."

"You want to go to Great Zhao?" Tie Bu Tian stood up, "No!"

"There isn't anything that can't be done. Diwu Qing Rou is able to mess with us. Why can't we mess with him in return?" Chu Yang said calmly, "This is our perfect opportunity to cause chaos internally within Great Zhao!"

"This is too dangerous!" Tie Bu Tian sat back down slowly and said, "Even when we are here, we are already facing danger from all different directions. More so if you were to head directly to Diwu Qing Rou's headquarters! That place is filled with peril. Moreover, your identity is of an extremely sensitive matter."

"Because of that, I must go." Chu Yang said casually, "We can't continue to remain defensive like this, there has to be a time where we have to go on the offense."

Tie Bu Tian knew that Chu Yang had already decided. However, he could not help but feel sad and lost, "With you going to Great Zhao, what will happen to Bu Tian Pavilion?"

"Bu Tian Pavilion will remain the same. I am going to Great Zhao, but King of Hell Chu is not." Chu Yang said softly, "Wu Qian Qian is now capable of working on her own."

Tie Bu Tian stood up and paced back and forth slowly, "But you must promise… you must come back alive!"

Chu Yang laughed, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. The person who is capable of taking my life has not appeared yet!"

Although Tie Bu Tian had heard his joke, he didn't laugh. He just looked at Chu Yang, sighed deeply and said, "When you are there… you must make your safety the first priority! If something can't be done, you must retreat quickly. If there are no opportunities, we could always create them. But if you are gone… where am I going to find the second minister for Bu Tian Pavilion?"

Sensing Tie Bu Tian's sincere concerns, Chu Yang said softly, "I will."

I am myself am quite helpless. I am not that brave, but the third Nine Tribulations Sword fragment is… in the center of the continent!