Chapter 187 - I’ve Decided (2/2)

”I'll do it. Just … let me bid farewell to my mother first. Just in case.”

”Alright. Come and get me when you're ready. I can at least guide you in entering his inner self.”

”Thank you, Senior Martial Brother Yu.” Jing Yi bowed, even though Yu Jin wouldn't be able to see it from inside. Then, he turned around and went to the room where his mother was staying.

She was sitting there in front of the shrine that was holding his father's memorial tablet. Jing Yi lowered his gaze and went over, kneeling beside her.

If something really happened to him, then she would be left all alone. Having her watch her only child die before her … Wasn't that too cruel?

He bowed in front of his father's memorial tablet and sighed. ”Mother, father, the two of you have always tried to keep me save back then. But father also believed that a man should fight for his family. For me … Qiu Ling is part of my family already. Now, he's in grave danger and I might be the only one who can save him. The thing I decided to do is dangerous, though. Mother, father, I'm sorry. I know, I should accompany you until the end but I might not be able to do so.”

He turned toward his mother who could only sigh. ”I expected as much. Your father … He would certainly be proud of you.”

Jing Yi nodded and looked up at his father's memorial tablet. ”You've already lost father and I —”

”Sh.” Madam Zhong took his hand and shook her head. ”Whatever it is you have to do, Qiu Ling would do the same for you. You wouldn't be the son I brought up if you didn't do this.” She took a deep breath and stroked his hair back. ”Just be honest with me, is there any chance that the two of you will live?”

Jing Yi nodded. ”There is. It's small, though. I can only try my best and hope that Qiu Ling will be able to do the rest himself.”

”I'll come with you and wait for you two to come back.”

Jing Yi prepared to refuse but in the end, he only nodded again. She would probably feel better if she could be there, even if she was unable to do anything besides waiting.

He stood up and helped his mother to her feet, then he went to fetch Yu Jin. The three of them entered the room where Qiu Ling was lying. Jing Yi looked at his mother for the last time, then he sat down next to Qiu Ling.

Yu Jin nodded. ”It's best if you lie down. And here, take his hand.”

Jing Yi followed his command and interlaced his fingers with Qiu Ling's.

”Now, close your eyes and concentrate. I'll do the rest. If he really accepts you, then you'll be able to enter his inner self. I can't guarantee where inside you'll appear, though. It might be close to him but you could also be somewhere far away. You'll have to search for him and then find out what is holding him down. You can interact with him, so whether you'll manage to achieve anything will depend on how close your bond is and how much that inner demon torments him.”

”I understand.” Jing Yi closed his eyes, calmed his heart and concentrated on Qiu Ling next to him. He would be able to do this. He would save Qiu Ling and safely return with him. He promised himself as much.

Yu Jin waited a moment, then he lightly touched Jing Yi's hand. A sliver of spiritual energy entered Jing Yi's body and jolted his inner self. Before Jing Yi knew what had happened, the foreign spiritual energy had already brought him to a dark place.

Jing Yi stared. This … was Qiu Ling's inner self?