41 The betrayal of the Thunder Monarch. (1/2)
Space continued to distort around Li Yang, a myriad of colors flashing before his eyes and blinding him, a loud grinding and tearing noise resounding in his ears as his body was transported through space. When the sound quieted down and the colors vanished, Li Yang once again found himself on an empty plain.
He could just barely see Time's March in the distance, so he guessed that they had been sent to a place a bit away from the entrance. He made sure that Jinwu was still with him, and then swept his surroundings with his gaze, a somewhat worried voice escaping from his lips.
”Where is Master Yimu?”
Just in case Jing Yimu was nearby, Li Yang had immediately switched over to the persona he used when he was around Jing Yimu. He continued to sweep the surroundings with his eyes, finally spotting someone laying on the ground a short distance away.
Li Yang made his way towards the person on the ground and saw that it was indeed Jing Yimu, but he was tossing and turning, his face covered in cold sweat. Li Yang's eyes narrowed for a short second when he noticed that Jing Yimu had not yet woken up, the thought of trying to kill him popping into his head.
”Stupid idea, I am more likely to die than I am to kill him.”
Li Yang shook his head and discarded the thought quickly. The fact that Jing Yimu wasn't conscious did not mean that Li Yang could kill him. His cultivation was still there, and there was a good chance that his body would act on instinct and try to defend itself if Li Yang were to attack. Facing an attack like that, the odds of Li Yang dying were simply far too high. It was safer to wait for the test in Spear's Advance, where Jing Yimu's cultivation would be sealed. Li Yang slowly made his way towards Jing Yimu, not making any threatening movements. Once he reached the side of Jing Yimu, he kneeled down and gently shook him.
”Master Yimu, Master Yimu, you must wake up!”
There was no response from Jing Yimu at first, but after Li Yang continued to shake him for a short moment, Jing Yimu's eyes suddenly shot open. His eyes were bloodshot and red, moisture gathering at the corners. When he saw Li Yang above him, his expression turned into one of disbelief, and then into one of relief. He quickly sat up and pulled Li Yang close, embracing him in a hug so tight that it squeezed all the air out of his lungs.
”I'm sorry! Little Yang, please forgive this old man! I had to do it... I had to do it...”
When he heard Jing Yimu's hoarse voice, Li Yang's eyes narrowed and his pupils shrank until they were the size of pinholes. From what Jing Yimu was saying, it sounded like he had figured out Li Yang's true identity and was apologizing for what he had done in the past.
Li Yang closed his eyes and calmed his mind, quickly gathering his thoughts. The way he saw it, it was unlikely that Jing Yimu had learned about his true identity. Had he learned about his true identity, he would not be calling him Little Yang. It was more likely that the illusion Jing Yimu had seen had featured the Li Yang he knew as Luosho Yang. After gathering his thoughts, Li Yang spoke out.
”Master Yimu, you are squeezing me too hard, I can barely breathe.”
Li Yang pat Jing Yimu on the back as he spoke in a pained voice. Jing Yimu hurriedly opened his arms and pulled back slightly. But he did not take his arms off Li Yang, placing his hands on Li Yang's shoulders and holding them tightly, as if he was afraid that Li Yang was going to disappear.
”Forgive this old man, Little Yang. Forgive this old man, Little Yang. Forgive this old man, Little Yang.”
Jing Yimu looked at Li Yang with his bloodshot and moist eyes, almost rhythmically muttering the same words over and over again. Li Yang did not know what Mengxiang had shown Jing Yimu as part of the trial, but it was clear that it had affected him heavily. Li Yang put on a comforting smile, placing his own hands on top of Jing Yimu's.
”Don't worry, Master Yimu. No matter what you might do, I will always forgive you.”
Li Yang's voice was so calm and comforting that Jing Yimu temporarily stopped his muttering, his eyes growing even redder as tears started to run down his cheeks. Li Yang removed Jing Yimu's hands from his shoulders, standing up and speaking with a bright smile.
”You seem to be somewhat confused right now, something to eat will surely clear up your mind.”
Li Yang hurriedly took out some wood from his interspatial ring and quickly created a small fire. Once the fire was lit, he filled a pot with water and threw in dried meat and vegetables, creating a quick and easy soup. While Li Yang was making the soup and waiting for it to boil, Jing Yimu simply sat there, looking at him with moist eyes that seemed like they wanted to memorize every single part of Li Yang.
”Take this, Master Yimu. Something warm always helps me clear my mind, I am sure it will help you too.”
Li Yang poured some soup into a wooden bowl and handed it to Jing Yimu with a bright smile, he then poured a soup for himself and one for Jinwu. Jing Yimu drank the soup quietly, never taking his eyes off of Li Yang as they ate in silence. Once he finished three bowls of soup, Jing Yimu gazed towards the distance, in the direction of the Thunder Flower Memorial, and spoke out in a reminiscing voice.
”I once had a friend. A good friend that I could call a brother, someone who I was willing to put my life on the line for. More than once we fought back to back, each saving the other in times of danger. I fondly remember those days.”
After Jing Yimu started talking, while Li Yang put on a curious and warm expression, his mind was completely cold. Even after all that Jing Yimu had done to Li Yang, he still dared call himself a brother of Li Yang? Jing Yimu took his eyes away from the distance, turning them towards Li Yang as he continued talking.