He and It Chapter 191:  Inquire Here (19)

Chapter 191:  Inquire Here (19)

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: GaeaTiamat

 

As he lay on his mother’s lap, Liu Fuguang was choked with sobs. He wanted to cry loudly, but he had little strength left even for that.

“…I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he clutched his mother’s hand. “I have been unfilial and have implicated you all…”

Xi Ji hugged her youngest son tightly. Her trembling hand touched the back of Liu Fuguang’s head and neck. She then groped his thin shoulders, felt the protruding shoulder blades, and her fingers squeezed his emaciated arms. She felt as if she was slowly waking up from a nightmare.

“Zhuolang?” Xi Ji asked softly. “Is it really you? Have you come back?”

“Yes,” Liu Fuguang choked out. “It’s me. I’m still alive. I didn’t die…Mother, I have come back…”

Xi Ji didn’t speak further. She stroked Liu Fuguang’s back, just like on those nights when he was a child, and would catch fireflies in the tent. She would hold him and tell him old legends and stories.

Many years had passed, but her sleeves still carried the faint fragrance that made Liu Fuguang feel drowsy as soon as he smelled it. It was like osmanthus flowers drenched in dew. To Liu Fuguang, that was the smell of home.

He didn’t know how long it took, but when he had cried himself out, Xi Ji’s fingers pushed away the sweat and tear-soaked hair stuck to his face. She looked at her son’s gaunt cheeks and suddenly remembered his injuries, and quickly urged him to stop kneeling.

“Zhuolang!” Xi Ji seemed to awaken from a dream. “Your injuries! How did you…”

She still remembered clearly when the near Immortal Zhou Yi, who had lost his divine body, brought Zhuo Lang’s corpse to the palace of the Eastern Swamp late at night. His first words were, “The Immortal Lord has died. His body must not be discovered by the Dragon God. The time for you to mourn is very limited, so please hurry.”

Everything had happened too suddenly! The immense shock, grief, and hatred felt like a tidal wave overwhelming them. They believed Zhou Yi’s words and didn’t have time to prepare much. Even the tombstone was hastily carved by Cheng Zong and handed over to Zhou Yi.

After that…Xi Ji’s memory became blurred, like a mural eroded by wind and sand.

“The near Immortal Zhou Yi brought us your body late at night. He persuaded us that the living were gone, and that your body could not be discovered by that monster. He had to take you away quickly…” Xi Ji’s eyes filled with tears as she looked carefully at her regained youngest son. “Now you have returned. Could it be that he lied to us? Your father almost turned white overnight. He wanted to issue orders widely, seek the support of all people to send troops to punish that evil dragon. But later…Ah, on what happened later, my mind is not very clear! Did Zhou Yi save you? Or did my son encounter some miracle?”

As he looked at his mother, torn between joy and sorrow, Liu Fuguang sighed in his heart. He pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, “Zhou Yi is no longer a near Immortal but a true Immortal. Six thousand years have passed, Mother. Times have changed, and this world is probably no longer the world you once knew…”

Xi Ji’s expression was bewildered, and she instinctively said, “What?”

Through Liu Fuguang’s fragmented narration, Xi Ji finally understood the current situation.

To prevent Eastern Swamp from being destroyed, the monster had directly intervened, shrinking and freezing the Eastern Swamp for six thousand years. During that long period, due to the absence of the Immortal Lord and the dominance of the evil one, the world was filled with rampant corruption. Meanwhile, Zhou Yi had hidden Zhuolang in a coffin, where he feigned death to survive until someone mistakenly entered the tomb and awakened him…

“I want to kill him…” Xi Ji was furious. “I want to slaughter that beast! Hasn’t he harmed you enough? How can he still have the face to forcefully keep you by his side?!”

She squeezed her youngest son’s arm, lifted his sleeve to see the old scars all over his body, like a bizarre, broken map. The more she saw, the more her heart burned with rage, which almost dried up her tears. She remembered the words of the Old Man Under the Moon on the day of their grand wedding, “You can no longer be husband and wife.” He had indeed predicted the later miserable end.

Xi Ji was overwhelmed with grief and indignation, and her throat felt like an old, long fishbone was stuck there, which made her body stiffen. Her teeth ground together with a grating sound.

She would rather have died six thousand years ago than be used as a bargaining chip by that monster to disgust her most beloved child! Killing someone wasn’t enough; what else did he want? Did he think that by holding the Eastern Swamp, he could use it to threaten Zhuolang?

“But you are still alive,” Liu Fuguang said with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face. “You, father, brother, and everyone in the country are still alive. We can reunite and see each other. That’s enough…Having you all, I can endure any amount of suffering. Truly.”

Xi Ji was speechless for a while, the joy of reunion now completely overshadowed by heartache. She wanted to hold her son and cry, but seeing Liu Fuguang’s current state, she almost didn’t recognize the once talented and handsome Zhuolang.

This mother’s strongest memory of her child was first occupied by his tragic death and then by his sickly, emaciated appearance. She knew that with Liu Fuguang’s current physical condition, he couldn’t withstand any sudden great joy or sorrow.

Therefore, Xi Ji swallowed her tears, forced a smile, and said, “Yes. We…we won’t mention that beast anymore. As long as the family can be safe and happy together, no obstacle is insurmountable…Come, my son. Let me take you to your father. They should still be in the military office discussing important matters. They haven’t left for thousands of years…”

She slowly stood up, then circulated her sluggish spiritual power to ease her stiff limbs. After all, she was a cultivator stronger than a thousand mortals. Even if she had been sitting still for thousands of years, it would only take a few breaths to recover.

However, the faster she recovered, the more her heart ached. If Zhuolang’s Dao-heart was intact and his dantian was still there, how could he have ended up in such a fragile state?

As she thought of that, Xi Ji hated Yan Huan even more, and wished she could tear him apart.

“Walk carefully, take it slow.” As she supported his body, the spiritual power of a mother circulated in Liu Fuguang’s empty body. One probe made Xi Ji’s heart sink halfway.

Exhausted spiritual energy and withered life force. To use an inappropriate metaphor, Liu Fuguang’s situation was like a salinated land after a disaster. The only consolation was that his muscles and bones were well-nourished, which supported his basic actions.

Of course, if Xi Ji knew that this “well-nourished” state was being maintained by Yan Huan personally decocting medicine and feeding him blood, her mood would have been even worse.

Upon arriving at the military office, Liu Fuguang indeed saw his father and elder brother after a long separation. He fought back tears and awakened their senses.

While his elder brother, Liu Qizhang, was still groggy, Cheng Zong was in a momentary daze, and saw his wife and deceased younger son standing before him. Startled, he couldn’t help but pale, as he mistook his wife for a disguised demon intruder, who was bewitching his mind. He quickly thundered, “Audacious! How dare such an unworthy creature come before me!”

As a monarch of a country, Cheng Zong’s cultivation base was naturally high. With a thought, he raised his arm to strike, but his wife instantly raised her eyebrows in anger and delivered a resounding slap across his face, causing his ears to ring and immediately sobering him up.

“Rascal!” Xi Ji shouted angrily. “You don’t even recognize your own child and would strike him!”

Simultaneously awakened by the loud, crisp sound, Liu Qizhang stared blankly at his parents and then at Liu Fuguang, who was equally dumbfounded for a while.

Immersed suddenly in the familiar family atmosphere, there was a surreal sense of “Ah, everyone’s back…”

Cheng Zong covered his face, his demeanor unchanged, even as his heart trembled in disbelief. “Zhuolang…? Is that really you?” 

Despite being hundreds of years old, his eyes showed a tinge of red. Cultivators inherently had few offspring, and with over a hundred years’ difference between his elder and younger sons, Liu Fuguang was truly a late-born gem. Despite Cheng Zong’s desire for him to become a good-for-nothing devil king, he gladly supported him. However, such indulgence allowed Liu Fuguang to grow into someone with exceptional talents and character, which intensified the love of his parents. It was precisely because of that, that when Zhou Yi returned with his incomplete body, the thunderstrike of grief made the pain even more unbearable.

“Father, I…” Liu Fuguang only managed to utter those words before Cheng Zong strode forward and embraced him.

Long separations in the Mortal Realm often turned into sorrows. Yet, in the eyes of his family, six thousand years were just a fleeting moment, akin to a brief afternoon nap.

Tears flowed down Cheng Zong’s face, while his elder brother’s eyes watered as he gently held his hand.

Liu Fuguang opened his eyes wide, as his chin rested on his father’s shoulder, and he stared at the sky outside the window. His body was as cold as death, unaffected by Yan Huan’s attempts with various treasures to warm him. However now, from inside out, he felt feverish, as if he were about to ignite.

Slowly, he lifted one hand and placed it on his father’s back. His tightly furrowed brows, contracted for too long, finally relaxed completely. His lips curved upward, as tears glistened, but the sorrow had faded, and left only a smile of happiness.

Yan Huan watched from afar, especially fixated on Liu Fuguang’s face. He smiled too, deeply content, as if he held all the treasures of the world in his arms, refusing everyone, not even sparing them a glance.

Fuguang was very happy. He thought, This is worth it. I finally did something right.

The family returned to the sleeping palace. Liu Fuguang, still weak, lay on the bed.

After hearing the whole story, Cheng Zong’s anger was not just a pretense, but he thought it over deeply. The true Immortals who had caused great trouble in the past were either dead or in hiding, and no longer making waves. The new generation of Immortals, with Zhou Yi at the helm, could divine the secrets of heaven. Yet even he couldn’t fully save Zhuolang. To heal the injuries of the virtuous, one needed the vilest of creatures.

“What use is a broken marriage line?” Cheng Zong continued. “Good and evil are intertwined, bound to each other in life and death. If that creature dies out, won’t Zhuolang perish too?”

“My son, I know you’re constantly seeing that thing and your mood must be affected,” Cheng Zong said. “But prioritize your health. Since he swore an oath to heal you, whatever formation he sets up, just focus on recuperating. Your health is the most important, understand?”

Liu Fuguang’s smile faded again, and he whispered, “I’m only worried about all of you. Yan Huan has almost replaced the will of heaven. If he can freeze Eastern Swamp for six thousand years with his bottle technique, what else is beyond his capabilities?”

Regaining lost things is most precious. He was suddenly reunited with his family, but whenever Yan Huan hinted at any attempt to coerce him, Eastern Swamp would be in a dangerous situation. When he thought about that, apprehension appeared on his face.

Cheng Zong chuckled.

“Zhuolang,” he said earnestly to Liu Fuguang, “Don’t fear his methods, nor fear that he will use our safety to constrain you. Death is never a fearful thing. Life is fragile. People can die from drinking water, exhaling, or even walking. Sometimes, one could lose their life in their sleep. Normal people always look down upon fools who jeopardize their lives over minor matters. If he threatens the Eastern Swamp with tribulations, then death is nothing to fear. If he threatens it with death, then we shall meet it with dignity. If he were to extract our souls, preventing us from even resting in death…”

He smiled lightly. “If things have truly deteriorated to that point, no matter how you worry or guard against it, it’s all in vain. Why not give up worrying about future troubles and focus on living in the present? That way, even when disaster strikes, we can still say with peace, ‘At least I have had carefree and happy days!’”

Liu Fuguang couldn’t help but stare blankly for a moment.

Looking at him, Cheng Zong stopped smiling as well. He spoke in a low voice, “Moreover, as parents, making our children worry about us is the epitome of neglect. Back then, your mother and I believed the nonsense of the Immortals. They said your fate was too precious, destined to be shared with the dragon god’s, united and infinite. We laughed then, and thought that since fate was difficult to defy, even if his reputation was tarnished, a partner who was a dragon god would still be suitable for you…”

He breathed heavily and closed his eyes tightly. Xi Ji turned her head slightly and she gently continued, “We were too naive and caused you suffering, Zhuolang.”

“No!” Liu Fuguang hurriedly said. “No. None of that was any of your fault.”

Cheng Zong sighed, barely rallied his spirits, and said, “If we were to truly discuss…”

Before he could finish, a voice, as smooth as a slithering serpent, cautiously entered through the crack of the sleeping palace door, and said, “Fuguang, it’s time to take your medicine…”

Liu Fuguang felt uneasy, and the remaining three’s faces changed drastically.

Queen Xi Ji gritted her perfect teeth. She felt that voice was like a colorful and slippery venomous snake, that directly crawled over her brain, and made her shiver with coldness that came from her heart.

—Who else could it be if not that accursed dragon?

Unable to contain herself, she jumped up in fury, and rushed out of the hall. Liu Fuguang couldn’t stop her in time, and only managed to shout, “Mother!”

Cheng Zong followed closely behind. Liu Fuguang hastily grabbed his elder brother’s sleeve, as he anxiously said, “Brother, take me with you!”

As soon as Xi Ji rushed out of the palace, she saw Yan Huan in black standing there, his hands hanging at his sides. That deceitful skin bag was just as nauseating as ever, unchanged.

“Get out,” Queen Xi Ji’s eyes widened in fury, her voice hoarse, “Eastern Swamp does not welcome despicable creatures like you. Get out!”

As he faced such a blunt insult, Yan Huan seemed oblivious. He bowed respectfully and observed all formalities. He spoke gently, “Queen Xi Ji, it’s been a long time. I’ve come to take Fuguang back to have his medicine. He needs a bowl of it every day, without fail.”

Queen Xi Ji’s anger flared high. She wanted to scream and laugh hysterically. “When you dug into my son’s dantian and struck him down, did you think of serving him medicinal soup every day? Stop pretending here and go back to your dark corner! Creatures like you don’t deserve to stand under the sunlight!”

She said everything else as well. Yan Huan let it go in one ear and out the other, but when it came to the matter of striking down ruthlessly, a twitch appeared at the corner of his lips, as if someone had stabbed him from behind.

“Queen Xi Ji,” he said humbly. “I understand the mistakes I made in the past and have done everything in my power to make amends. Right now, I only wish for Fuguang to recover.”

“Make amends?” Queen Xi Ji almost burst out laughing. “How can you possibly make amends? Never set foot in Eastern Swamp again, and never disturb my son. Even if you managed to make amends one or ten thousand times! Are you waiting here for us to bow to you, a dragon god?”

Yan Huan remained unmoved. “I apologize, Queen Xi Ji, but Fuguang really needs to leave now. After he finishes his medicine, I’ll bring him back to see you.”

Cheng Zong approached from behind, his voice cold. “You beast. You keep talking about my son needing medicine. What medicine is it? Something Eastern Swamp can’t afford to give, can’t afford at all? How about you make a list?”

When he heard that, Yan Huan smiled faintly.

He extended both hands, his left hand clenched into a fist and his right index finger flicked out a sharp, jet-black talon that deftly severing the bulging veins on his left wrist. Thick, black blood gushed out immediately.

“The other medicinal herbs are nothing special, but there’s one ingredient,” Yan Huan said calmly. “It requires my true blood. It’s somewhat hard to come by.”

Cheng Zong and Queen Xi Ji were both speechless. Liu Fuguang, supported by his elder brother, came out and was silently looking at Yan Huan without saying a word.

“Of course, for now, I’ll use blood, but once Fuguang’s body improves a bit more, we’ll need fresh flesh,” Yan Huan said, a hopeful smile creeping onto his face. “Once he can withstand the blood and flesh from my heart, it should be much better.”

When he saw Liu Fuguang emerge, he quickly restrained his smile, and earnestly called out, “Qing…Fuguang, let’s go back first. After you’ve finished your medicine, we can come back. How about that?”

Recounting the story of offering himself piece by piece for Liu Fuguang’s consumption in such a joyful tone, was truly chilling and uncomfortable. Xi Ji steadied herself and said coldly, “Even so, my son cannot go with you. He will stay here with his family.”

Yan Huan frowned, but deep down, he couldn’t act out of line with Liu Fuguang’s blood relatives. He knew that if he acted rashly now, all his previous efforts would be in vain, and he would never regain Liu Fuguang’s trust.

“But,” he hesitated. “Compared to the Mortal Realm’s conditions, the Dragon Palace is much more perfect…”

“My son doesn’t want to go. What’s so perfect about your Dragon Palace?” Queen Xi Ji asked sharply. “Don’t be so self-righteous. The farther you roll away, the better!”

Yan Huan’s heart trembled. He remembered the words of that demonic cultivator. In a sense, he always acted according to his own will, not Liu Fuguang’s.

However, even if he was willing to follow Liu Fuguang in a million ways, Liu Fuguang would never speak a word to him.

“Then, I understand,” Yan Huan nodded. “I will leave the Dragon Palace and live in the Mortal Realm with Fuguang…”

At those words, both Xi Ji and Cheng Zong’s expressions twisted.

Though six thousand years had passed, in their senses, time the Mortal Realm had only passed briefly. During that “very short time,” Yan Huan had transformed from an autocratic and arrogant deity wielding the power of life and death into a helpless figure who could neither fight back nor retaliate. It was truly a bizarre experience.

“Where he is, I’ll be there,” Yan Huan continued. “I won’t make things difficult for him, absolutely not.”