Death… and me

Everyone was recovering from their injuries for the past few days. They had been relying on Chu Yang's stock of preserved food till the second day. However, on the third day in the cave, Gu Du Xing went out and hunted a deer. Therefore, the five of them were able to have a grand feast while hiding in the cave.

Despite the current situation of Beyond the Heavens Sect, the sect master Wu Yun Liang seemed unconcerned and unbothered by everything that was happening.

Gu Du Xing felt extremely curious and surprised by this. He had expected him to be more worried as Beyond the Heavens Sect was being attacked from all sides. Yet, the sect master himself didn't seem a single bit bothered.

Wu Yun Liang said, "Losses are to be expected. However, regardless of the situation, I have faith in second martial brother…"

Gu Du Xing was puzzled by this statement. It wasn't until Chu Yang slowly explained to Gu Du Xing the situation that he learned that Li Jin Song was part of Diwu Qing Rou's spy network. After realizing the situation as a whole, he just shook his head and smiled.

Gu Du Xing then asked Wu Yun Liang out of curiosity, "Wouldn't an attack like this result in the death of many of Beyond the Heavens Sect's ordinary disciples uninvolved in the conflict?"

"This is the way Jiang Hu is. I hope that this would be a lesson to them that the sect is not a shelter. To be part of a sect means to be connected to one another even if one were to lose their life." Wu Yun Liang said as he sighed.

"It is only through experiencing suffering that we will be able to become even stronger! Regardless of whether the price of the lesson, if we do not experience it and learn from it, we will be unable to grow as a sect. If we make a conscious effort to avoid hardship, we will always be hindered by trying to avoid suffering!" The moment that he finished his sentence, he let out a long sigh.

What he had said made Gu Du Xing think and reflect deeply.

Wu Yun Liang's words made Gu Du Xing think about Gu Miao Ling. He compared the suffering of Beyond the Heavens Sect to that of the suffering the both of them bore in their relationship. Wouldn't this time apart and pain make their love for one another even more intense and stronger?

After resting, Wu Yun Liang questioned Chu Yang in an indirect manner, "Is there anyone in your heart?"

Without a moment of hesitation, Chu Yang replied, "Yes!" and his mouth showed a loving smile.

Wu Yun Liang was overjoyed. He then stroked his beard and smiled approvingly.

This was because Wu Yun Liang assumed that because Chu Yang was working closely with his daughter in Iron Cloud if there was someone who was in his heart, it would no doubt be her! Who else would it be? He could imagine that the both of them had already progressed significantly and even had secret liaisons…

Therefore, Wu Yun Liang chose not to question any further.

Meng Chao Ran sneered. In his opinion, he believed that person in Chu Yang's heart was definitely not Wu Qian Qian. Meng Chao Ran understood his disciple far too well.

If it was indeed Wu Qian Qian, Chu Yang's attitude toward Wu Yun Liang would have been much warmer than this…

In the past few days of recovery, Meng Chao Ran was the most contented. However, Tan Tan was, of course, the happiest. This punk practically talked the entire time. Gu Du Xing also started to feel that perhaps his voice and his words were not as annoying as he had first thought.

Moreover, Tan Tan's pure heart made it difficult to have bad thoughts about him.

After about another six days, they finally verified that Wu Yun Liang's condition was completely restored. It was then that Chu Yang and Gu Du Xing started preparing to leave.

After another six days, they had verified that Wu Yun Liang's health was completely restored. Chu Yang and Gu Du Xing then started preparing to leave.

Meng Chao Ran didn't question his disciple's decision. Instead, he simply said with concern, "Be careful!"

Tears filled Tan Tan's eyes as he watched Chu Yang and Gu Du Xing leave the cave and continue on their way. Chu Yang's words rang out in his heart, "I shall wait for you in Iron Cloud!"

With respect to Meng Chao Ran and Tan Tan's safety, everyone had discussed and agreed that the two of them should temporarily leave Purple Bamboo Garden. If Diwu Qing Rou acted this time, there was really no guarantee that he wouldn't act a second time. Things would be better if they left for the time being until their safety could be ascertained.

"Chu Yang has changed so much; his advancement is far too great. Why are you not surprised? You did not ask him anything." After Chu Yang and Gu Du Xing left, Wu Yun Liang asked Meng Chao Ran.

"Why does it matter if I asked or not?" Meng Chao Ran said casually, "It is his own fortune. As long as my disciple obtained it, I will not ask how he did so."

He smiled and turned toward Wu Yun Liang, "If anyone wants to steal from my disciple, I will fight to the death with that person."

Wu Yun Liang snorted.

"Where are you planning to hide?" Wu Yun Liang asked.

"I want to bring Tan Tan with me to the Middle Three Heavens." Meng Chao Ran sighed. A strange expression appeared in his gaze, "If we continue to remain in Lower Three Heavens, we will end up becoming the greatest burden for Chu Yang. Moreover, in Middle Three Heavens, there will be more spiritual energy for the Heavenly Chi Gathering Fish to absorb as compared to Lower Three Heavens. This will be very useful for Tan Tan's advancement."

"You want to give it another try?" Wu Yun Liang remained quiet for a while before asking.

"No." Meng Chao Ran shook his head looking forlorn, "If it was just me, I would go. But I cannot go with Tan Tan. When I hand Tan Tan over to Chu Yang or find his birth parents then maybe…"

Wu Yun Liang sighed and said, "With you leaving like this, I lose yet another diligent helper…"

"In a situation like this, my leaving… will be the greatest help for you!" Meng Chao Ran grunted.

"When are you leaving?"

"Right now."

Two brothers, four eyes, looked at each other exposing the depth of the relationship between the both of them. After a long while, Wu Yun Liang turned away and said softly, "If you have to go, go quickly. I won't watch you leave."

Meng Chao Ran sighed and took a deep breath. He simply said, "Take care."

"Take care." Wu Yun Liang said to himself.

He stood there for a long time as he listened to the parting footsteps grow more and more distant. Even after the sound was completely gone, he still didn't turn around.

A long time after, he smiled and muttered, "Little martial brother, I still hope that you will be able to fulfill your dream. You have guarded Beyond the Heavens Sect for so many years; I know how much you have suffered in your heart. Now that you have finally made a decision for yourself and chosen your own path, I wish you well…"

He smiled leisurely with a look of goodwill in his eyes, "I only hope that if there is a day in the future when you and I are still alive that we will be able to sit down to talk and drink together. I am sure, at that time… I will be closer to death than life…"

He wanted to turn around and watch his junior martial brother leave, but he hesitated for a long time. In the end, he held himself back and continued to maintain an odd posture. He then left this cave speedily.

Let me deal with the mess at Beyond the Heavens Sect by myself!

Wu Yun Liang thought as he glided across the snow-covered terrain like a bolt of lightning.

The purple bamboos in Purple Bamboo Garden continued to sway as before even though the people who lived there were no longer there.

As Wu Yun Liang went through the sea of purple bamboos, there was an indescribable emotion of pain and anguish in his heart.

Purple Bamboo Garden was lost. The nine peaks and one garden of Beyond the Heavens Sect were also at the point that it was about to break apart. Tomorrow, the journey to Iron Cloud would finally begin…

Take care, Junior martial brother!

…

Chu Yang and Gu Du Xing continued walking together as they left Purple Bamboo Garden and Beyond the Heavens Sect.

Once they had reached the base of the mountain, Chu Yang turned and looked into the distance. He gazed fondly at the faint mountaintop. There was a small bit of purple swaying on the horizon as if it was sadly waving goodbye.

Chu Yang remained still for a long time.

It was as if he felt that in this trip, he would be gone for a very long time and not be able to come back to this place! When I return, will this place… still be Beyond the Heavens Sect?

"Your master is impressive." During these past few days, Gu Du Xing's deepest impression was Meng Chao Ran's indifference. It was as if he looked right past this world, and nothing was capable of stirring his emotions. But at the same time, there was also a touch of stubbornness!

This was a kind of feeling that could not be put into words.

"My master will be leaving this place with Tan Tan…" Chu Yang said in a sad tone, "What my master likes the most is the color purple, purple bamboos. If they leave, I am afraid that he would be very sad."

"Do you know where your master would be going when he leaves?" Gu Du Xing asked.

"My master's cultivation level is not that high. He can protect himself in Lower Three Heavens. But if he goes to Middle Three Heavens, it would be very dangerous." Chu Yang slowly sighed, "However, I have a feeling that my master's chance to breakthrough is in the Middle Three Heavens."

"He took care of us even though, at a glance, it seems as though he doesn't care about anything. The two of us have always been in his heart. As long as we live well in the Lower Three Heavens, he will continue to support and take care of us."

"However, now that my master has discovered that his presence has such a great impact on the fate of Beyond the Heavens Sect as well as my emotions, he decided to leave. But, in leaving, he would leave his world behind."

Chu Yang softly sighed, "Gu Du Xing, from now on, no one will be able to see my master in Lower Three Heavens!"

"Middle Three Heavens?" Gu Du Xing asked.

"Yes." Chu Yang said, "My master would absolutely not let Diwu Qing Rou use him against me. Therefore once he leaves, he is likely to go very far. And this… is also because I understand his situation. I hope, but also don't… that he has given up."

"Oh?" Gu Du Xing was slightly confused.

"Do you know of any great clans with the surname Ye?" Chu Yang asked in a low voice. A mysterious thought flashed in his eyes.

"Surname Ye." Gu Du Xing thought for a bit and said, "From what I know, there is no clan in Middle Three Heavens with the surname Ye. But this could be due to my lack of knowledge."

"Hmm…" Chu Yang was slightly distracted.

"But, in Upper Three Heavens, there is the surname Ye." Gu Du Xing's gaze became contemplative.

"Upper Three Heavens?" Chu Yang suddenly turned around and looked at Gu Du Xing.

"Upper Three Heavens' Ye clan is one of the nine great clans that has dominated over the Nine Heavens since ancient times!" There was a look of awe and respect in Gu Du Xing's eyes. It was as if they were the tallest of untouchable mountains.

Chu Yang was startled. Given Gu Du Xing's character and the fact that he showed such look, the power of Upper Three Heavens' Ye clan was not difficult to imagine.

"Ever since the ancient times, they have been one of the nine great clans that have dominated over Nine Heavens!" Chu Yang quietly repeated it. A light flashed in his eyes.

He remembered the hopelessness, pain, and helplessness in Meng Chao Ran's eyes…

"Upper Three Heavens is it?" Chu Yang muttered, "Nine great clans of Upper Three Heavens? Haha…"

"What do you want to do?" Gu Du Xing sensed something out of the ordinary and could not help but feel anxious.

"Nothing." Chu Yang's figure flew up and he flew forward. His voice was heard faintly from the front, "Du Xing, do you want to be the leader of one of the nine great clans?"

"Chu Yang, this joke is not funny at all."

"Oh…"

…

Some distance off, Meng Chao Ran was calmly bringing Tan Tan toward a sea of thunderous clouds.

"Master, where are we going?" Tan Tan turned back to look after every few steps.

"We're going to find your biological parents." Meng Chao Ran said casually, "It is a mysterious place."

"When can we return?" Tan Tan's voice was somewhat hoarse, "Chu Yang is still waiting for me to help him at Iron Cloud Citadel…"

"You can stay in that mysterious world and wait for him to come and help you." Meng Chao Ran said softly. He turned and looked back, "Eldest martial brother, take care. Chu Yang, you must take care of yourself."

Then he grabbed his disciple's hand and let out a loud shout. Two figures flew up and went into the sea of clouds…